Thinking of dipping your nails into an SNS powder or getting a professional SNS manicure? Wanna know the pros and cons of SNS nails before you get to dipping?
No problem!
In this post, we’re going to focus on the pros and cons of SNS nails.
So, if you want to weigh up the good and the bad to see if SNS nails are for you, you’re reading the right post.
Let’s jump right in.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Pros and cons of SNS nails
We’ll go through the full and detailed list of pros and cons further down.
But for now, let’s summarise the key points.
The main pros of SNS nails are that they are long-lasting, quick and easy to apply, and that you don’t need a UV lamp to do them.
The main cons of SNS nails are the price, (more expensive than acrylics) and the fact that you need to use acetone to remove them.
So, those are the key things you need to know about SNS nails before we go any further.
Now, you may have heard that SNS can actually be good for your nails.
But is there any truth to that or is it just marketing?
The next thing I want to do is to clear up any confusion about whether or not SNS can be good for your nails.
Is SNS actually good for your nails?
To answer this question, we need to take a look at what’s in SNS powder.
Every formula is different but some do contain nail nourishing ingredients.
SNS nail powders contain vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B5.
Vitamin A is included in a lot of nail products. It helps to keep the nail hydrated and can help with the growth and strengthening of the nails.
Vitamin E is moisturizing. It helps with cracked cuticles and brittle nails.
B5 helps with keeping the nail flexible and can improve the strength of your natural nails.
So yes, SNS can help to protect your natural nails from the damage caused by acetone and poor removal of fake nails.
To further nourish your nails, consider incorporating products with Vitamin A, E, and B5 into your nail care routine. Check out these recommended products (click to check the price) for healthier, stronger nails.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to the pros and cons of SNS nails.
We’ll start with the good.
Pros of SNS nails

- SNS nails dry without the use of a UV or LED light. This minimizes exposure to potentially harmful UV rays.
- They are long-lasting. A properly cared for SNS manicure can last up to 4 weeks.
- Long-wearing color. One of the biggest pros of SNS nails is that the color is built into the nail itself. This means you won’t have to deal with chips in the color.
- You get a natural-looking finish. The SNS finish is much thinner compared to acrylic nails and a little thinner than hard gel nails.
- With SNS there is a large range of vibrant colors to choose from and you can also mix pigments.
- They are easy to do at home. Applying SNS dip nails is a lot easier for beginners than regular acrylic or polygel nails. There are kits available that come with everything you need. Here’s a high-quality SNS nail kit (click to check the price) we recommend for beginners and pros alike.
- No time constraints. Because it is a powder-based system, you can take your time applying it without worrying about setting times. This is great for beginners.
- Quick-drying between layers. Each layer dries in around 3 minutes (depending on the thickness) which means the application process is fairly quick.
- Comfortable to wear – SNS nails are lighter and more comfortable than acrylic nails.
- No nasty odors during application. The bonding agent used with SNS doesn’t smell great, but it’s nowhere near as bad as the monomer which is used for applying acrylic nails.
- Easy and fast removal. SNS nails are thinner than acrylics. So when it comes time to take them off, you will have less filing to do. This speeds up the process a lot.
Cons of SNS nails

- SNS nails are best removed using acetone. This is very drying and can cause damage to the natural nails and the surrounding skin.
- Improper or impatient removal (picking, tearing, pulling, or aggressive scraping) can cause damage to your natural nails.
- They are expensive. SNS nails cost approximately $20-$30 more than acrylic nails in most nail salons.
- Some colors can look quite different than they do in the pot once the nails are dry.
- SNS nails are thicker and less flexible than gel polish – which can lead to more breakages if you are rough with your hands.
- Powders can easily become contaminated with fungus and bacteria.
Let’s talk about this last con in a little more detail.
Should I be worried about contamination with SNS nails?
Contamination can easily occur with dip powders.
This is not a problem if you are doing your own SNS nails at home.
But in a salon, it’s super important to have some hygiene rules in place.
Fungus and bacteria can be transferred when the nail is dipped directly into the powder jar – this is a very bad practice in a salon!
Contamination can also occur when the excess powder that has touched the nail is then returned to the pot.
Most nail technicians are aware of this issue and it has become standard practice to portion out the amount of powder needed for each client.
In conclusion
SNS nails are a good option for those who want long-lasting, natural-looking nails without having to expose their hands to UV rays.
However, they can be expensive, and some colors may not look as they do in the pot.
SNS nails should be removed using acetone, which can cause damage to the natural nails and skin.
Improper removal can also cause damage, so it is important to be gentle when taking off SNS nails.
And finally, powders can easily become contaminated with fungus or bacteria, so it’s important to have some hygiene rules in place if you are getting them done in a salon.
I hope that this article has helped you to understand the pros and cons of SNS nails.
Thanks for reading!
FAQ’s about SNS nails
How long do SNS nails last?
SNS nails typically last between 2 and 4 weeks.
This depends on your lifestyle and how well you take care of your nails.
Can I do my own SNS nails at home?
Yes, you can! There are kits available that come with everything you need to apply SNS nails at home. Here’s a high-quality SNS nail kit (click to check the price)
What is the difference between SNS and acrylic nails?
The main difference between SNS and acrylic nails is that SNS nails are thinner and more flexible than acrylics.
They are also applied differently. SNS nails are dipped into powder whereas acrylics are painted on with a brush.
How much do SNS nails cost?
SNS nails typically cost between $20 and $30 more than acrylic nails in most nail salons.
What is the best way to remove SNS nails?
The best way to remove SNS nails is with acetone. However, this can be very drying to the natural nails and skin.
Improper or impatient removal can also cause damage, so it is important to be gentle when taking off SNS nails.
Other useful posts:
Check out our best polygel nail kits article here.