Why do my nails hurt after dip powder? Currently, there are lots of nail enhancements as there are nails on your fingers.
The dip powder nails which are also called SNS nails are becoming very popular as a new artificial nail enhancement application. However, this is supposed to be a safe nail enhancement product but some people are experiencing some pain in their nails after having dip powder application.
But why do my nails hurt after getting dip powder?
Continue reading to see potential reasons for the pain and how you can get rid of it.
Why Do My Nails Hurt After Getting Dip Powder?
There are many reasons why your nails get hurt after getting dip powder. Below are some of the reasons:
1. Too Much Filing
Too much filing happens to be one of the most common reasons why your nails hurt after getting dip powder done. To get dip nails done, buffing your nail beds is one of the vital preparations you have to undergo, but you can overdo it.
Remember that your natural nails have multiple layers, and you are only required to remove the top one. However, anything more than removing the top one, you could get your nails severely damaged and this could cause you pains.
Removing too many layers of your nail could cause the dip powder and liquids to pass through the remaining nail and cause soreness.
So in case you start to feel your nails are hurting while applying dip powder, you need to stop immediately before it causes serious damage to your nails.
2. Using Low-Quality Product
When you use a low-quality, cheaper brand, then there’s a good chance that an ingredient from the product would cause your nail to hurt.
Methyl methacrylate which is already banned by the FDA happens to be a cheaper alternative to higher-quality acrylic, such as polymethyl methacrylate (AKA PMMA).
Note that methyl methacrylate is illegal to put into any kind of beauty product. Methyl methacrylate was banned since it can severely damage your nail bed.
Methyl methacrylate needs the natural nail bed to be shredded down for it to adhere correctly. After it has adhered, it will not come off easily with acetone.
3. Messy Application
Note that when you place that bond and base while having dip powder done has a good impact on whether your nails will hurt or not.
The dip powder sticks to the bonder found in the Bond Base, and if you get it on your surrounding skin or your cuticle, you might feel hurt when your nail begins to grow out or while removing the dip manicure.
Sometimes your nails may even hurt you on a day-to-day basis after having a messy application. But have it in mind that the dip powder can be very rigid and won’t bend the same way your skin does.
This means that if the skin on your fingers is pulled exactly where your dip powder is bonded to, it might hurt you a little.
However, one of the ways to avoid this from occurring is to take your time with your manicure. You can carefully push your cuticles back and then wipe off all liquids that get onto your skin.
4. Cuticles Pushed Back Too Far
So, why do my nails hurt after getting dip powder? Another common cause of nails hurting is cuticles that are pushed back too far.
Note that the cuticle is made of dead tissue that grows out when the skin on fingers replaces itself and requires to be pushed back before any type of manicure is done.
There’s a possibility to clip the cuticles if you desire, but you require a steady hand to do this. But when you cut too much off, it will lead you to a bloody and painful mess that you wouldn’t be able to apply any sort of product to it till it heals.
Also note that there’s eponychium behind the cuticle, which has blood flow and is alive. So whenever you push your cuticles back, you’ll start pushing back the eponychium, and this will hurt you immediately if you push it too far.
It will even hurt you more when you apply dip powder products.
This same thing goes for any other damage to your nails and the surrounding parts. Make sure you don’t apply any type of manicuring product to parts with a hangnail, papercut, burn, or other damage. This is because it is better to play it safe than to be sorry.
Why Does Dip Powder Hurt My Nails?
Dip powder hurts your nails because the dipping powder has passed through to the parts surrounding your nail and the areas of your nail that are not typically exposed to anything.
However, this occurs when the cuticle is pushed or cut back too far. As you know, the dip powder takes time to dry and will be wet on your nails with different types of chemicals for a while.
This can be a very uncomfortable experience for you, but this can be avoided. But the only exception to this is when you are sensitive to the chemicals and are allergic to them.
Can Dip Nails Cause Infection?
Yes, one of the reasons it can cause infection is because your nails are exposed to roughed up and sandpapered before dip nails are placed. Whenever you dip your nails inside a container that others have dipped theirs, it means that you’re double-dipping.
When a person with a nail infection dips their fingers into the same containers, you can pick up these germs, and this can cause a serious nail infection. Though bacterial infections are the most common, viruses which include herpes of the finger can also be spread when salon nail instruments aren’t clean and healthy.
Why Do My Fingers Hurt After Getting Dip Powder?
One of the reasons fingers hurt after getting dip powder is because of nail infections and injuries. The best way to avoid this is to get your nail tools to the salon so you don’t get exposed to bacteria or fungus carried on other people’s nails.
Here’s a simple process of getting dip powder:
1. Try pushing your cuticles back
2. Now buff your nails to take off the shiny top
3. You can apply a nail dehydrator to your nail beds
4. Next is to apply your dip powder brand. But be careful so you don’t get this over your cuticles or skin next to your nails because the powder will stick
5. Now dip your finger into the dip powder gently at a 45-degree angle and hold it there for about 2-3 seconds
6. Follow the steps 4-5 for the rest of your fingers
7. Follow the steps 4-5 for the second layer of powder
8. Next is to apply a thin layer of activator over each nail
9. The final step is to finish with an air-dry matte topcoat
Why Do My Nails Hurt After Removing Dip Powder?
Whenever you’re removing too many layers of your nail, liquids and dip powder can penetrate to other areas of your nail and hurt you. So if your nails hurt after you remove your dip powder, then there’s a good chance that you’re doing something wrong.
However, in case you start to feel that your nails hurt while you apply dip powder, stop immediately before it causes you more damage.
Below is how to remove dip powder:
1. The first thing to do is to file off the top layer of the dip powder to remove any topcoat and super hard powder.
2. Now soak your nails in a bowl of pure acetone for about 10-20 minutes, or you can dip cotton balls into acetone and put it over your nails, and cover your fingers in aluminum foil so it can keep the cotton in place
Note that the dip powder should flake off at this point
3. Make sure you rehydrate your nails and skin once you’re done with this process with hand cream and cuticle oil
How Long Does it Take for Nails to Heal After Dip Powder?
It takes a minimum of 1 week for your nails to heal after dip powder. But allow your nails to rest between each dip powder application for better results.
Make sure to use vitamin oil on the skin area of your nails and nail bed to keep it moisturized.
Is it Normal for Dip Nails to Hurt?
It’s not supposed to hurt. But if it is your first time doing dip nails, or the first time you’re trying out a particular brand, you might hurt a bit. You should try to lessen the amount of activator you apply to your nails.
Conclusion
I guess I have given you the answer to your question, “why do my nails hurt after getting dip powder”?
The truth is that dip powder nails are beautiful and they last longer than the other varieties. But you must find a good salon near you to get a perfect fix.
Note that no nail enhancement product should ever go beyond minor discomfort. Though you have to expect something different because chemicals will be put on your nails, if it causes you lots of pain, then something has gone wrong.
