Danger of Dip Powder & Acrylic Nails

Acrylic Nails are so yesterday. Dip Powder nails are unsanitary. Here at Oliver’s Salon & Spa, we use a different nail building system called "Polygel nails" that is less harmful for the health of your natural nails. We also stand by our sanitary guidelines no matter what is trending. Most people are uneducated on the alternative  service we offer, but once you know, you will leave acrylic & dip powder nails where they belong- in the past. Trust us on this one, your nail beds will thank you. 

Below are some examples of Polygel nails done by our technicians here at Oliver's Salon & Spa:

I felt the need to write a blog on Polygel nails after I had a discussion about a crappy acrylic nail job that was done on a friend of mine (not at Oliver's of course). She was showing me the imperfections and explaining how rough the nail technician and how she definitely didn't get her money's worth. I asked her if she had ever heard of Polygel nails and she had such a confused look on her face. Considering her to be pretty trendy, this surprised me. I realized that maybe a blog about Polygel nails  would be helpful for those of you who get your nails done pretty often.

Polygel is technically a name under the brand "Gelish", but it is what most people refer to when talking about this type of nail enhancement. It's also the brand we carry here at Oliver's.

Acrylics? So yesterday.

Acrylic nails are long-lasting and look amazing. Unfortunately, they ruin your natural nail. The process of putting acrylic nails on is a rough one. Your nails are filed until they are rough which thins them out and leaves them brittle. Moreso, they are gluing a nail on top of that rough, damaged surface. Removal is pretty brutal as well. When removing acrylic nails, you have to soak them first, then file them off. That's a lot of trauma to the nail! Remember, your nails are a part of your body. Improper care can lead to serious issues down the line.

The Danger of Dip Powder

This is a picture of two infected nails being dipped in pigment for dip powdered nails.
This is what pops in our head when we get asked if we do dip powder nails... photo c/o instagram

A lot of clients ask if we do dip powdered nails here at Oliver's. We always feel bad turning them down, however, it's for the most sanitary reason.

It's a very popular service that is considered the cousin to acrylic nails. Dip powder nails are just as strong as acrylic and Polygel nails, however, they are the most unsanitary. Most salons have one dip powder pot for all clients. Do you really want to double dip with strangers? You never know who dipped their nails in the pigment before you!

This is the reason why dip powder nails are not offered at Oliver's Salon & Spa. Taking sanitation seriously, we use an autoclave for cleaning our tools for each and every client.

How about that picture? EW.

What are Polygel nails?

Polygel nails are another form of artificial nail enhancements. They are enhancements that can be applied as an overlay or used to sculpt a whole nail with a shape of your choice. It's a soft gel that looks like a putty that is formed on top of the nail. This method is great for clients who have short nails and decide to take the plunge into long nails or if you just want to add just a touch of shape and length.

Why Polygel?

Different shapes of nails are trending right now. Instagram is the perfect place to browse all nail shapes for inspiration! Polygel nails are perfect for those of you who like stiletto, square, oval and coffin shapes. They are the best for any sort of fake nail enhancements due to how easily it can be modified and shaped.

The formula delivers a strong, flexible, light nail that is just as strong as an acrylic nail and less harsh on your natural nails. You're bound to have less breakage and brittleness between appointments, too. Removing Polygel isn't as difficult as the removal of acrylic nails. There is no soaking, only filing, and they come right off! 

Did we nail it? 

I hope this blog was helpful for those of you who have acrylic nails or dip powder nails. It's our responsibility to take care of our bodies, including our nails. Now that there are alternatives to dip powder and acrylic nails that are healthier, it's a no-brainer! Book your appointment online or give us a call at (610)-366-8808 if you have more questions.

7 Comments

  1. Elle on July 22, 2020 at 10:04 pm

    Where is the salon located, and what is the cost for the polygel?

    • Katie on August 17, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      Hi Elle! The salon is located on Hamilton Blvd. in Allentown, PA and the cost for the polygel starts at $65.

  2. Mercedes on October 12, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    Are they just as good as gel manicures and what’s the time frame for are fill.

    • Katie on October 12, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      They are just as good, sometimes even better as we have heard from a lot of our clients. They typically last anywhere from 2-4 weeks, depending on the person!

  3. Kristi Boston on November 26, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    What they’re talking about in this article is a “true gel’ nail…. I also do a similar type of product in Montana, & let me tell you, it is an exclusive ‘art’ having a set sculpted on! It is truly an art form, & they happen to wear like iron! My clients average between 3-5wks between fills, depending on the grow out, & LOVE wearing a weightless, acrylic-free, odor free product…. Poly gel nails are the “Cadillac” of all nails…. The wearability will amaze you, the clarity of the product will astound you, the fact that they are the most natural looking nail enhancement on the market, will thrill you……

  4. Helen on July 1, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    How much does a gel manicure and a dip powder manicure cost?

    • Katie on July 30, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      Hi Helen, our gel manicures start at $37. We do not do dip powder manicures at Oliver’s Salon & Spa.

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