Ditch the Dip
Chances are you have heard the term dip nails, SNS or powder polish at least once. It is the most recent nail craze that caught everyone's attention when they heard about how long it lasts. Dip powder nails are similar to gel in that they last longer than a traditional polish manicure, but where gel nails use UV rays to lock in the color, dip powder nails do not. Instead of polish, the color instead comes from a pigmented powder that you dip your nail into. (Here is a video if you would like to watch the whole process.)
People tend to choose this option over gel nails due to there being no need to use UV light. Studies have shown leaving your nails under UV nail lamps for extended periods can increase your risk of certain types of cancer. According to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, "a person's hands receive an energy dose equivalent to the day-long recommended limit for outdoor workers."
Even though this is a logical reason to choose dip powder nails over gel nails, people do not realize they are still putting themselves in danger when using this alternative. Vanity Project, a high-end nail salon in New York City does not even offer this option anymore on its long list of services. One of their manicurists, Ariel Zuniga, spoke to Glamour Magazine about dip powder nails. She claims they are not the healthiest option for your nails, and that some of the cheaper options even contain the chemical MMD. MMD stands for Methyl Methacrylate, a bonding agent used in artificial nail products, which is extremely harmful to a person's nails and skin.
Another scenario to consider: a person walks into a salon and chooses to get dip nail polish, but they have a cut or an infection on their finger that goes unnoticed by the nail technician. The next person to dip their fingers into that powder is now exposed to all of the bacteria from the previous person.
In a viral Facebook post from July with over 20,000 shares, Robin Medley shares her horrific experience with dip powder nail polish. She states, "U [sic] never know what the previous person had going on with their nails, don't risk infection with the latest trends." Her post was accompanied by this picture:
Mhari Whyte, a current student at Florida State University, had an experience much like Medleys. She explains, "The first time I got dip was in California, and when I finally removed the dip myself my thumbnail was green. I thought I had just had the dip on for too long, but then when I was doing research afterward I realized it was more of a fungal thing –which is nasty." Whyte stopped using the dip powder for a while before trying again and going back to it, and things were fine for a while. But the last time she got dip nails done, the same thing happened again. Whyte says now she is "not risking it again." A simple google search shows thousands of people all over the internet have had this exact reaction to the dip powder.
So, while there are certainly positive things about getting dip powder nails, this fad comes with its hefty negatives. If you do, however, choose to get dip nail polish despite the risks, be sure that your salon takes hygienic precautions like using a brush to apply the powder. Do not be afraid to ask your manicurist questions for you to have the best and safest nail salon experience.
Strike Out,
Writer: Holly Wilson
Editors: Giselle Parks and Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee