Why Do My Nails Hurt After Dip Powder?

Dip powder, also known as SNS, has been available on the market for several years and continues to grow in popularity, particularly as a DIY service.

Doing your nails, on the other hand, is not always easy. Along with dip powder’s popularity, several people reported hurt in their nails and surrounding regions.

Do you have pain when you use dip powder on your nails?

What Is Dip Powder?

Dip powder is known as a resin-based acrylic powder that dissolves into a liquid before hardening to a cement-like composition. It is a nail improvement method that consists of powder and glazes. Besides, dip powder is a finely milled powder ideal for making a smooth and even application.

Dip powders are resin-based acrylic powders
Dip powders are resin-based acrylic powders

Unlike acrylic, dip powder does not need a hazardous base layer called toluene, which is commonly found in nail adhesive. Instead, it contains calcium and vitamins to enhance nails while avoiding damage to your nail bed.

Using dip powder is fantastic because it is secured using an activator called Seal Protect, which eliminates the need for monomer or UV/LED curing. You can apply dip powder to both your natural and artificial nails, and it is available in a wide range of highly saturated hues, allowing for unlimited design possibilities.

Why Do My Nails Hurt After Dip Powder?

Ingredients

The ingredients in dip powder take longer to dry than those in other nail treatments. Therefore, when applied at temperatures below room temperature, it will linger on the cuticle for a more extended time before evaporating and causing pain.

Besides, if the product you are using is poor-quality and comes from a poor-quality brand, there is a significant probability that what makes the nail beds hurt is one of the ingredients.

Although the FDA has forbidden MMA, also known as methyl methacrylate, it is still a low-cost substitution for acrylics such as polymethyl methacrylate. It has been outlawed because it demands entirely ripping down your actual nail bed to adhere correctly.

It is difficult to remove with acetone when it is stuck. Furthermore, because MMA is hard to break, once your nail is caught in something, it will not break. Instead, your actual nail bed would.

As a result, it causes excruciating agony and perhaps an infection caused by bacteria resulting in the loss of the entire nail.

An excessive amount of filing

It is the most prevalent cause of nail pain after applying a dip. Although it is essential to buff when processing dip nail prep, you can go overboard.

You just want to eliminate the top layer of the actual nails, which have numerous layers. If you do anything more, you risk badly damaging them and causing the pain because they will become thinner, weaker, and more fragile.

Once you eliminate numerous nail layers, liquids and dip powder may permeate the rest of your nail and the flesh beneath your nail bed, resulting in pain. If your nails begin to sting during dip application, stop right away before doing any significant harm.

Push the cuticles too far back

It is another cause of your achy nails. The cuticle contains dead tissue growing out because the surface of the fingers substitutes itself and must be pulled back before applying any type of manicure.

The cuticle’s role is to keep the seal between your nail and the skin above it intact. Once this seal is broken, it will expose fragile, living, and thin skin, making it vulnerable to harsh chemicals such as dip powder. These toxins will harm immature skin tissues, then enter the skin layer containing nerve endings, increasing discomfort.

Indeed, you may clip it, but this requires a steady hand. If you clip too much of the cuticle off, it may result in a bleeding, terrible mess. As a result, you may not be able to apply any product to it till it heals.

The eponychium, still living and coming with blood flow, is located behind the cuticle. Once you press your cuticles back far enough, you start pushing back it, which hurts when you do, and much more if you use several dip products.

Any further damage to the nails or nearby areas is the same. Any manicuring item should not be used on a burn, hangnail, papercut, or any other type of injury since dip powder can affect any tiny wound.

Though if you believe the paper clip is too far away from your nail to cause any problems, accidents may occur, liquids spill, and powder may spread. Then, it is best to be cautious than sorry.

A slender nail bed

You are more likely to get wounded after mending dip powder nails if your nail bed is weak or thin because the dip powder’s weight may be too much for your nails.

Incorrect application

Even if you apply cuticle oil after using dip powder, these chemicals will remain in fragile skin tissues, irritating.

Avoid putting the primmer and bind it to your skin because you may experience pain if it comes into contact with your skin.

After a sloppy coating, your nails may even pain daily. Remember that the dip powder is quite stiff and will not bend like your skin. As a result, if your fingers’ skin is pushed near where the dip powder is attached, it may hurt a little.

Ineffective removal techniques

Ineffective removal techniques such as cutting too much off, using too much force, etc., are among the most frequent causes of pain in dip nails. Many people are in a hurry to eliminate their dip nails, so they use a lot of pressure and force, leading to harm.

There are several reasons causing your nails to hurt after dip powder
There are several reasons causing your nails to hurt after dip powder

Is It Common For Dip Nails To Be Painful?

The answer is no. Companies are obliged to figure out all potential safety risks regarding nail enhancement products before launching their products and hitting the market.

As a result, when using dip powder, it will not do you harm. If it hurts, it is because you are misusing it, then you need to change the way using it right away.

How Can You Dip Your Nails Without Hurting Them?

Dip nails benefit from not requiring much nail prep aside from cleaning and drying the nail surfaces. You can apply  this method to see how long the dip nails can last on the nails with minimum nail prep:

  • First, get a standard manicure, let your cuticles be softened using warm water, and cut with cuticle nippers rather than a cuticle removal drill bit.
  • Then, apply the dehydrator and pH balancing solution to the nails and allow them to dry for around 2 minutes. Using a fan will speed up the drying process. This is due to the fact that liquid solutions, including a dehydrator, require time to drain away from the nails. You do not have optimal adherence once your nails are still moist.
  • With several passes, on the fine side, carefully roughen up the nail surface with only a clean buffer.
  • You can now begin the dip nail process. If your nails are not extremely oily or you are particularly rough on them, these dip nails will last for about two weeks without causing any discomfort.

How Can I Get Rid Of My Painful Dip Powder Nails?

Preparation

  • Hot water
  • A single plastic container large enough to hold both your hands
  • A toothbrush or a delicate nail brush
  • Soap for dishes or soap for hands
  • Hairdryer
  • A dry towel

Process

  • Fill the container with hot water. The water should be hot enough for your hands to soak it without scorching them.
  • Add one tablespoon of soap and mix well.
  • Dip both hands in water.
  • Attempt to rotate your fingers around so that the cuticle oil is removed by the hot, soapy water.
  • Brush each nail carefully if you can stand it to eliminate any dip powder chemicals and the cuticle oil.
  • Do this for at least ten minutes, twenty minutes for the best result, or until the discomfort goes away on all ten nails.
  • Wash the nails under a faucet with fast-flowing warm water. Allow the water to flow over each nail for one minute or until the discomfort is bearable.
  • Properly dry the hands using your dry towel.
  • Warm your nails with a hairdryer on a low-speed and low-heat setting to remove any leftover chemicals. If the hairdryer becomes too hot, take your hand away from it.

How Can You Keep Your Dip Powder From Injuring You?

Keep an eye on how you are prepping your cuticle.

Your cuticle should be pushed back slightly, not drastically. Once your cuticles are damaged, thick, or overgrown, push them back. Cuticle cutting is also used to treat hangnails. Or else, they will cause you pain because the wounds they create can harbor bacteria and chemicals.

Before using dip nail powder, do not use cuticle moisturizer or any other sort of moisturizer on them.

If your skin is softer and more pliable, it seems more sensitive, and you are likely to feel the pain. Once your cuticles need to be softened, just do so at least one to two days before applying the dip powder.

If your fingers are chalky and dry, you can apply your hand lotion to the skin on the hands and fingers only, not your cuticles. It is due to the fact that hand lotion comes with cooling and coating properties that protect the area around the nail from becoming too damaged.

Avoid using cuticle moisturizer before dip powder
Avoid using cuticle moisturizer before dip powder

Do not share your nail tools with others.

Cross-contamination can occur once you allow others to use your nail care instruments. Using a nail clipper with someone who has a fungal infection in their toenail, for illustration, can spread the disease to other’s nail using the infected clippers. Warts are among the most prevalent skin problems spread by sharing nail care products.

How can you strengthen your nails after dipping them in dip powder?

After any form of manicure, it is critical to take after the nails because frequent wear weakens the natural nails. Unless you take care of your real nails, they may become brittle and weak, and unfortunately, they may not grow much.

Indeed, there are various strengthening methods and regaining healthy, moisturized nails. However, the following primary methods can assist you in getting the best natural nails.

Ensure the dip powder is removed correctly.

When it comes to keeping your natural nails healthy and free of harm, eliminating any form of manicure is critical; however, removing dip powder becomes even more critical.

One of the disadvantages of having dip powder is that it is pretty tough to clean them at home. Although it is not unrealistic, it may be challenging.

Soaking them in acetone is among the most effective methods to eliminate dip powder. While soaking the nails in acetone may weaken them, it may not cause too much harm if done correctly.

  • To clean dip powder, begin by filing off the topcoat, which will allow the acetone to enter the colored powder and aid in its removal.
  • After that, soak cotton balls in acetone and apply them to each nail while wrapping each finger in foil. If you do not have foil available, you can soak the hands for 10 to 15 minutes in a small bowl of acetone.
  • Allow 10 to 15 minutes for each nail to dry after wrapping. Next, remove the foil and wipe away any residual dip powder using the cotton ball, repeating till all of it is gone.
  • Lastly, if the nails require it, file or trim them down and apply cuticle oil to them.

While acetone might weaken your nail, it is a far better way of removing dip powder than pulling it off if done correctly because peeling dip powder off the nails may also take off the initial layer of the nails, leaving them thin brittle.

Keep your nails moisturized.

Nail moisture is essential for maintaining the strength of your nails. Any form of manicure may dry out our nails and causes them to become excessively dehydrated, and that is why they are relatively fragile and may have altered color somewhat once you remove them.

Having cleansed the dip powder, you should use cuticle oil to maintain your nails nourished. It is the most excellent hydration remedy because it helps restore hydration. Apply a layer of cuticle oil to the cuticles, nail bed, and the skin around your nails since your nails and the region around them have to be healthy for your nails to grow and be strong.

You can apply petroleum jelly on your hands and nails in addition to cuticle oil. After washing your hands, re-moisturize your nails with hand lotion because, unlike the hands, your nails may not produce oil. The longer you keep your hand on the nail, the faster it dries.

Make use of a nail strengthener.

After using dip powder, you can strengthen your nails by using a nail strengthener because it helps to strengthen your nails.

It is a base coat that helps damaged nails repair quickly. This product is typically employed after you have had your nails done for a long time and they have been weakened as a result of regular use.

You may use it as a base for your nail paint or wear it alone because it is clear. In addition, you can use a nail strengthener anytime you feel it is required or as frequently as you want. Nevertheless, one coat per day is advised till your nails become stronger.

If you are doing at-home manicures or cleaning your dip powder on your own, this product is recommended because it adds an additional layer of protection to the nails and can aid any damage.

Maintain a short nail length.

Nails must be maintained to remain healthy and robust, which necessitates cutting them down. Cutting them down often is an excellent way to keep them free of damage and healthy, especially once you have removed your manicure.

Having had dip powder on the nails for a long when they have grown, your nails will most probably be weak if it is removed. If you ignore them, they may break off and form cracks in the nails, which lead to damage further down the nail.

Nonetheless, if you maintain the nails short and frequently cut them down to a reasonable length, your nails will be strengthened and become healthier and better-conditioned.

Take care of your nails.

Daily actions such as cleaning dishes or washing hands can dehydrate and weaken your nails. But you simply can not stop doing them, so changing how you do tasks may help protect the nails.

After dipping them in nail powder, to strengthen the nails, remember to wear gloves while using harsh chemicals such as cleaning goods or dishwashing. You might also include a nail moisturizer in your daily routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can having your dip nails done at a nail salon cause you pain?

The answer is yes. Nail technicians may utilize an electric nail file or power tool to roughen up the nails and clear your extra cuticles at many nail salons. If they grind your nails too much, it will bring you discomfort in the future.

An electric nail file is known as a rotary power tool with a lot of power. It has the ability to cut or file things much tougher than nails. Once nail technicians do not know how to use it to operate on clients’ nails, they may thin the nails unintentionally during the nail preparation process.

Even if you get your nail done at a salon, it may still hurt after dip powder
Even if you get your nail done at a salon, it may still hurt after dip powder

Additionally, nail drill companies developed various drill bits to clean and trim extra cuticles and prepare the nails.

These items are designed to assist individuals in eliminating cuticles without the need for a traditional manicure, which involves soaking their hands in warm water in a nail art bowl for several minutes to soften them before trimming using cuticle nippers.

On the other hand, these nail drill bits may damage the cuticles and thin out the poor, vulnerable nails if handled and trained incorrectly. Also, they will cut into the nails rapidly without you noticing, and you can only notice when they get uncomfortable later.

Is dip powder harmful to your nails?

Yes, however, the effect is temporary. In some cases, it may be particularly harsh.

Because your nails’ protective layer is ruptured throughout the process, they can dehydrate your nails. Also, dip powder is essentially glorified acrylic, so it may be poisonous and harmful to your nail plate.

In case you have your nails done in a salon, the professionals may dip them into the container, which might be unsanitary due to bacteria picked up on them as a result of the dipping.

For more information about dip powder, have a look at this video:

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