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What is SNS nails?

sns nails
SNS Nails

So what is SNS nails?

You have more than likely heard the term being mentioned in passing before but, never fully understood what SNS nails are. We will uncover and go through everything you need to know about SNS nails below. 

Let’s quickly summarise some of the key benefits of SNS nails. They are typically better for your natural nails and do not require the usage of a UV light which is better for your skin and nails, on top of this they are typically cheaper than other other offerings, these are some of the main reasons why SNS nails are so popular right now.

Okay now that you have a bit of an idea around what they are, let’s take a deep dive and answer some questions. 

What does SNS stand for?

SNS stands for Signature Nail Systems and it is a nail dipping system that uses a brush-on gel basing on top of the nail, the nail is then dipped into a powder. This process is done once or repeated multiple times depending on what colours are required. SNS is actually a brand name like CND or Shellac. SNS come in a variety of natural looking pink or white colours but also have hundreds of other delightful colours to choose from. 

SNS contains the organic chemicals Acrylic Ester Polymer, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Titanium Dioxide. These combined add strength and length to your natural nails. 

Whats the difference between SNS, Acrylic and Shellac Nails?

SNS nails usually have a more natural look than gel or acrylic nails, coupled with that, they are also a healthier choice. SNS requires very little filing of your nails which leaves them in a much more favourable condition than after Shellac or acrylic manicures. Using a powdered alternative means that there are fewer fumes, they also do not require the use a UV light to “cure” the nails. SNS nails also do not chip which means that the effects last longer than those of normal polish or Shellac.

SNS also feels “lighter” on the nails and generally look aesthetically more natural and thinner than the alternatives such as Shellac and acrylic.  

 
sns nails
sns manicure

How long do SNS nails last?

The standard natural lifespan of SNS nails can be anywhere between two to three weeks. This usually depends on the regrowth of your natural nails. You have the option of getting your powdered infills refilled but in the majority of cases its best to have them completely removed and start the process from the beginning. 

How to remove SNS nails

The best way to remove SNS manicures is to go to your nail technician to have them professionally removed by the use of a filing tool. This will not damage your natural nails in any way. However tempting it may be, do not try to peel off the SNS nails. If you are on a budget or time poor and need to do this at home, the removal process is the same to that of Shellac nails.
 
  • First and foremost you will need to get your kit setup. Get five cotton pads and split them in half, then get 10 large tinfoil squares, acetone polish remover and a nail file.
  • Using your nail file gently file over the tops of your nail polish, then soak a piece of cotton wool in acetone and apply it to the nail. Secure the nail by wrapping it with the foil square. 
  • Leave it sit for about 15 minutes in which time the gel polish will have separated from your real nail.
  • When removing the final bit of polish from your nails you can gently lift the polish off with manicure sticks, if it doesn’t come off easily you will have to continue soaking the nails for a little bit longer. 
  • As your nails have been soaked in acetone for the last 15 minutes they will be dehydrated. You should apply cuticle oil to rehydrate your nails and use a nail growth product to maintain your healthy nails. 
 

Is SNS good for your nails?

While Shellac nails rely on a UV light for “curing” purposes it has been said that as few as eight visits to a nail salon using a UV light can cause serious skin damage. SNS nails do not use a UV lamp for this purpose.  

While there is no UV lamp involved which is good, and the amount of filing required is less than that of other manicures, the adhesive that is used in SNS nails uses the similar ingredients to Super Glue and the powders used are the same as acrylic powders. That said SNS  does contain the organic chemicals Acrylic Ester Polymer, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Titanium Dioxide. These in combination add strength and length to your natural nails. While SNS are better than other options there are some caveats to this.

How much does SNS cost?

The cost of SNS nails is a changing variable as it depends on where you go to get them done. You can expect to pay somewhere between the $35 – $75 mark for these nails. 

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a question that many people ask and contrary to what some people may say, SNS is not bad for your nails. There are ingredients inside the compound powder which help to strengthen your natural bed. SNS nails also do not use a UV light for curing purposes which is a great thing for your skin. 

SNS nails or Signature Nail Systems have created an patented a dipping system called the Gelous Dip System. It’s a powder dipping system taht is accompanied by a brush-on, gel-based polish. This methods used in this system act as an alternative to traditional acrylic and gel polish, the nutrients used in the powders also strengthen your nails leaving your natural nails nice and healthy.

SNS is a patented powder dipping system which is accompanied by a gel-based polish that is applied via brush. It works like this:  nail technicians whilst using a brush apply the gel polish to your nail, following this the nails are dipped into the powder formula and the process is repeated a number of times. The nutrients contained within the powder work to strengthen and lengthen your nails leaving them nice and healthy.

By the combination of baking soda and toothpaste you can create a blend that is quite effective at the removal of SNS nails. 

SNS nails are cheaper, healthier for your natural nails and do not require the use of UV lights for curing purposes, which makes them a very popular choice when choosing manicure options. 

Yes. It is possible to soak off SNS nails. Although it is recommended that you visit a nail technician to remove SNS nails, it is possible to soak and remove them at home. Follow our instructions above on hot to remove SNS nails for the full procedure. 

You can get SNS nails on almost any nail length, including very short nails. The powdered formula also contains nail strengthening properties so it is a very healthy choice when looking for a manicure. 

SNS nails typically last between 2 and 3 weeks depending on many variables of course. It is recommended that after this time your SNS nails should be removed and reapplied after a short period of time. 

Yes! you can remove SNS nails at home. The best way to remove SNS manicures of course is to go to your nail technician to have them professionally removed by the use of a filing tool. This will not damage your natural nails in any way. However tempting it may be, do not try to peel off the SNS nails. If you are time poor or have budgetary constraints, read on.. 

Follow these steps to remove your SNS nails at home: 

  • First and foremost you will need to get your kit setup. Get five cotton pads and split them in half, then get 10 large tinfoil squares, acetone polish remover and a nail file.
  • Using your nail file gently file over the tops of your nail polish, then soak a piece of cotton wool in acetone and apply it to the nail. Secure the nail by wrapping it with the foil square. 
  • Leave it sit for about 15 minutes in which time the gel polish will have separated from your real nail.
  • When removing the final bit of polish from your nails you can gently lift the polish off with manicure sticks, if it doesn’t come off easily you will have to continue soaking the nails for a little bit longer. 
  • As your nails have been soaked in acetone for the last 15 minutes they will be dehydrated. You should apply cuticle oil to rehydrate your nails and use a nail growth product to maintain your healthy nails. 

The SNS manicure lasts longer than a typical acrylic gel polish. Some have said that they can last up to three times as long as gel acrylic nails.

We believe that SNS nails are a healthier choice than their gel equivalent. However for a through analysis of the two please read this huffington post article on the topic.

Yes, there are many great nutrients contained within the SNS nail powder that can help to strengthen and lengthen your nails. 

SNS nails can be cut, but it is not recommended to cut them as they can sometimes be too thick to trim easily. The best approach for shortening SNS nails is to file them down gently. Cutting them can cause then nails to chip or peel. 

Are you interested in getting a manicure in Sydney? Take a look at some of the options that we can offer you on our manicure page.

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