Soak cotton balls in acetone, place on the nail, and then wrap with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. After 10 minutes, remove the wrapping and you should find the dip powder has been dissolved. If you find there is still residue around the edges, wipe them with cotton soaked in acetone until it is completely removed.
Regular gels will start to lift up and off of your nail in about 15 minutes, SNS and acrylics will take closer to 20, and hard gels are the trickiest, and depend on how much you've been able to file off first. After 15–20 minutes of soaking, check on your nails and then begin to gently file again.
It's important that you use acetone remover for this step, as non-acetone formulas won't be strong enough to remove the SNS formula. You'll also want to make sure your room has good ventilation to avoid breathing in the acetone.
Are SNS Nails better than gel? Although SNS nails are generally more robust and longer-lasting than gel nails, they can be challenging to remove and might damage the natural nail if the process isn't done correctly. So make sure you go to a reputable nail salon that you can trust.
Soak a cotton pad in acetone
It's important that you use acetone remover for this step; we like the Cutex Nail Polish Remover ($4.49 at Chemist Warehouse) as non-acetone formulas won't be strong enough to remove the SNS formula.
As for the more "natural" dip powder nail removal techniques some online, nail pros say steer clear. "There are hacks that suggest soaking nails in acetone substitutions like white vinegar and alcohol or using baking soda and toothpaste mix, but I do not recommend these options," she explains.
According to Boyce, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer are two of the best ways to remove polish without needing an acetone remover. "Apply some to a cotton ball or pad and place it on your nail," Boyce says. "Let it sit for about 10 seconds and gently rub it back-and-forth.
How long do SNS or dipping powder manicures last? Like gel manicures, SNS and dipping powder manicures last roughly two weeks, though with the right care they can last longer.
Unlike gel manicures, SNS doesn't require curing under the UV lamp. So, if UV lights really get you concerned, choosing SNS will give you peace of mind. When done, SNS nails feel lighter, more durable, and healthier in the long-term than a gel or Shellac option.
Traditional nail polish removers are made up of an acetone solvent and a fatty material like lanolin or caster oil. Acetone removes polish by quickly breaking apart the nail varnish and stripping the polish from the nail plate surface.
SNS nails are also easier to remove. It couldn't be easier. Unlike acrylics, SNS nails simply soak off with acetone nail varnish remover. There's absolutely no drilling required.
Another reason the SNS procedure tends to weaken nails is the removal process. This is an inflexible product, so any breaks or lifting usually takes your own nail with it! People prone to picking or removing can also peel away layers of their own nails with the product.
TOLUENE: A toxic chemical found in some nail polishes and acrylic nail glue, has been shown to cause respiratory issues, irritated skin, headaches and dizziness. Prolonged or repeated exposure to toluene may also pose more severe health problems, including damage to internal organs, such as the liver or kidneys.
SNS has become a popular choice recently for a long-lasting manicure, but in our opinion, gel nail brands like Gelicious are a much better choice for a healthy manicure.