Whitening strips are considered the most convenient way to brighten your smile, but they’ve got one inconvenient aspect — peeling the strips off when you’re done. They can be messy and require some cleanup.
But not if you choose SNOW Magic Strips. They eliminate the primary downside of whitening strips by performing a magic act; making them disappear! But how well do they dissolve? And do they really whiten the teeth? Let’s find out!
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SNOW Magic Strips at a Glance
SNOW was founded in 2017 by Josh Snow to create accessible oral hygiene products that delivered professional results from the comfort of home. They’ve since created LED whitening kits, toothbrushes, and toothpaste additives, as well as their renowned Magic Strips.
While most whitening strips have a backing plastic that you’ll keep in place for the duration of each whitening session, then peel off and throw away, SNOW Magic Strips dissolve in your mouth. No need to remove them. No additional waste. They also work their magic in just 15 minutes, one of the shortest treatment times of any whitening strip.
SNOW as a company has gained a significant following in its short time in business. In 2021 alone, they served over 13 million customers. And it’s easy to understand why. Their advertisements command your attention and their products deliver amazing results. All SNOW consumable products are made in the USA inside FDA-approved manufacturing facilities. You can purchase Magic Strips on their official website, Amazon, or at brick-and-mortar stores like Target, Neiman Marcus, and Walgreens.
Pros & Cons of SNOW Magic Strips
SNOW’s skyrocketing popularity is thanks to their great products, and their Magic Strips are no exception. But they aren’t perfect, and it’s important to look at both the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- They dissolve away, so you don’t need to worry about removing them.
- The strips work in just 15 minutes.
- SNOW formulates their Magic Strips for sensitive teeth.
Cons:
- Sticky enough that they get caught on fingers and lips and can tear.
- They’re pricier than some other whitening strips.
Are SNOW Magic Strips Worth It?
SNOW Magic Strips give you all the benefits of whitening treatment, without any messy cleanup of long sessions. For anyone who values convenience and wants an on-the-go option, it’s a great choice.
Effectiveness
You might have a laundry list of requirements for your whitening treatment, but no matter your preferences and oral hygiene needs, effectiveness is probably right at the top. If a whitening strip doesn’t whiten, it’s no good. The good news is that Magic Strips perform pretty well.
The results aren’t quite as significant as those you’d see from their LED system. However, they are noticeable, and most people start seeing changes after just 1–2 days. The recommended treatment time is either once a day for two weeks or twice a day for one week — whichever is best for your schedule.
So why do the results lag behind SNOW’s LED system? First of all, there is no LED light included with the strips — and certain studies on in-office treatment have suggested LED lights can improve teeth whitening. In theory, if you already have the SNOW LED light, you could use it after your strips dissolve. Second, the strips dissolve pretty quickly. Most customers find that they’re gone within 15 minutes. That might be convenient, but it’s also a pretty short amount of time for an effective whitening session.
According to SNOW’s website, their Magic Strips use their patented P3 Technology to whiten more effectively than other dissolvable strips currently on the market. However, they don’t clarify what this technology is or how it makes their strips more effective than the competition.
But it must work well, because most customers are satisfied with their results. Magic Strips don’t deliver a dazzling Hollywood brightness, but they can achieve a nice, natural white. However, some customers said they’re better for maintaining results from other, more powerful whitening kits than they are for whitening on their own.
Affordability
Teeth whitening has been around for a good 40 years, but it didn’t go mainstream until over-the-counter at-home kits hit the market. When you look at the cost of in-office teeth whitening, it is easy to see why. Although they’re faster and more powerful, they also cost $600 or more per session.
At $49 per box of 14 treatments, SNOW Magic Strips are significantly cheaper — but they’re still more expensive than some other whitening strips. However, if you choose their subscription option, you can even save 15% on each order. All you need to do is decide how frequently you want your treatment to arrive (every 2, 4, or 6 months) and you’re good to go.
You can also save on your Magic Strips by buying multiple boxes at a time. The price per box decreases the more you buy, so if you decide this treatment is the right option for you it can’t hurt to stock up on a few boxes at once. It might not be one of the most affordable whitening options, but it’s still a decent bargain.
Added convenience often means a higher price tag. But with SNOW Magic Strips, you won’t be paying an arm and a leg for no-mess whitening.
Quality of Ingredients
Whether or not whitening strips will work is important, but how they work is equally important. You want a treatment whose ingredients are both effective and safe, plus meet any dietary restrictions you might have. SNOW uses pretty standard ingredients, but they’re a bit secretive about their quantities.
All whitening kits have a central whitening agent, and SNOW Magic Strips uses hydrogen peroxide. This is perhaps the most common whitening agent for strips and whitening kits in general.
Unfortunately, SNOW chooses not to disclose their hydrogen peroxide concentration, so it’s difficult to gauge their formula’s power. Here is what they have to say on the matter:
“We don’t use percentages, as those can be misleading and used by companies to trick customers.”
This is an interesting statement considering that the percentage of hydrogen peroxide indicates both the effectiveness and safety of their formula. Their choice to withhold this data prevents us from getting a complete picture of their products. Hopefully, SNOW will be more open to revealing their percentages in the future.
Of course, hydrogen peroxide is just one ingredient among many. These include:
- Pectin
- PVP
- Glycerin
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Peppermint aroma
- Pentasodium triphosphate
- Sodium hexametaphosphate
- Polysorbate 80
- Natural lavender aroma
- Sucralose
- Limonene
- Linalool
These ingredients are pretty inclusive since they are vegan and gluten-free — though the strips are not certified gluten-free.
Convenience
When you decide to whiten your teeth, you add an extra task to your daily routine. This might not sound ideal, but not all whitening systems require the same level of time commitment, and this is where SNOW Magic Strips excels.
All whitening strips are designed to be more convenient than kits that require trays and gel. And in our opinion, SNOW Magic Strips are the most convenient whitening strip out there — the fact that they dissolve is a big plus in our book.
Why are dissolving strips such a game-changer? Removing teeth whitening strips can be fairly messy. As you pull the strips out, excess gel and saliva usually come out with them, which is why most people remove theirs over a sink. But this also means that while using most whitening strips, you have to stay near a bathroom until you are done.
While wearing SNOW Magic Strips, however, you can walk the dog, run errands, and go about your life — except eating and drinking. They steadily dissolve in your mouth until there is nothing left. You are free to rinse after they are fully dissolved, but you don’t have to do it right away.
To use SNOW Magic Strips, just pick out one top and one bottom strip package, dry your teeth, then apply them. Keep the strips off your gums and wrap any excess around the teeth. The strips take 15–30 minutes to fully dissolve, so each whitening session is pretty short. After they dissolve, give yourself 15–30 minutes before you eat or drink.
Note that SNOW’s strips are very sticky, so once they are on, you can’t adjust them. And if you get them caught on your lips or cheeks, they might tear when you remove them. However, this incredible sticking power also means the strips don’t slip around, even as they start to dissolve. Adhesiveness is an important convenience that comes with a minor inconvenience that will go away as you get more experienced with the product, so we can’t fault SNOW Magic Strips here.
Comfort
Whitening your teeth is rarely a completely comfortable experience. No matter what route you choose, you have a foreign object in your mouth, whether it’s trays, strips, or gel. Plus, teeth whitening commonly causes dental sensitivity. Yet SNOW Magic Strips do a fantastic job mitigating this baseline discomfort.
The most common customer complaints about whitening strips are that they’re messy, cause sensitivity, slip and slide around on the teeth, and taste bad. But none of these are issues with SNOW Magic Strips.
By dissolving in your mouth, SNOW avoids the mess and goo. Strips that don’t dissolve let the gel hang around, mixing with the saliva and filling your mouth. SNOW Magic Strips disappear as you wear them, leaving nothing but a slight sheen of gel on the teeth.
What about sensitivity? If you wear the strips correctly, they are formulated to prevent any tooth sensitivity. This can vary between users, but most people will not experience any tooth or gum pain.
On top of that, these strips have serious staying power. As long as you dry your teeth before putting them on, they should stay right where you put them.
Finally, there is the flavor. SNOW uses a combination of lavender and mint, giving their strips a pleasant taste. While not everyone loves the lavender, it is certainly better than tasting hydrogen peroxide. Combined with everything else, it makes for a very comfortable teeth whitening strip.
What Are Customers Saying?
SNOW Magic Strips apply an innovative approach to an already innovative product. And they clearly did a great job with their formula since most customers are thrilled with their results. The strips are incredibly convenient, and customers love how they dissolve, allowing them to go about their day while whitening. But this isn’t the only praise people have for SNOW Magic Strips.
Another thing customers repeatedly called out? The flavor! While some people said the lavender reminds them of perfume, most people were very happy with how well it hides the peroxide taste even after the strips dissolve. Positive reviews also noted the lack of tooth sensitivity, the staying power of the strips, and the results the product delivered.
Of course, not every review gives the product five stars. Some negatives customers noted include results that don’t match their expectations, the cost, and the fact that there is a learning curve for placing the strips. However, the vast majority of SNOW Magic Strip customers are happy with the purchase and ready to buy again.
Final Thoughts
SNOW Magic Strips are easily the most convenient teeth whitening strips we’ve researched, and we found that they delivered more than just an easy whitening experience. These strips boast a lot of great features, including solid teeth whitening results, and we think they’re a great buy.
But that doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for everyone. Be sure to read our review of the 6 best whitening strips to compare all your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SNOW Magic Strips to improve the look of my restorative dentistry?
It can remove surface stains, but it won’t change the original color. If you dislike the original color of your caps, crowns, or veneers, you’ll need to have them remade to get the look you want.
How does hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth?
It encourages the pores of the enamel to open. Then, the peroxide gets inside those pores and bubbles, breaking up and removing the stains.
Should I whiten my teeth before or after my twice-yearly dental cleaning?
After, if you can wait. This will ensure there is no tartar on your teeth, giving you more even results.
Can whitening strips harm my enamel?
If your teeth are healthy — no chips or cracks or cavities — and you use the strips as prescribed, they shouldn’t damage your enamel.
Will whitening strips help with all types of staining?
No, they can only improve external stains and some internal ones. If the internal stains are too deep, the whitening strips will not help. Also, if your teeth look yellow because of thin enamel that lets the dentin show though, whitening kits can’t help.
Should I wait until my braces are off to whiten my teeth?
Yes, you should. Whitening agents cannot get below the brackets, so they’ll whiten your teeth unevenly. If you have lingual braces, it’s a different story. Because they’re situated behind your teeth, the strips will be able to whiten the front surfaces evenly.
Will whitening strips leave white splotches on my teeth?
It’s likely, but it’s only temporary and nothing to be concerned about. When they open the pores in the enamel, the water in the teeth escapes. Once you stop whitening, the enamel will rehydrate and the spots will go away.
My mouth foams when I use whitening strips. Is this a sign something is wrong?
No, hydrogen peroxide foams naturally when it comes into contact with the saliva. It might feel strange, but it’s not bad.
Is there anything I can do to maintain the color of my teeth after I use whitening strips?
Yes, try out some of the following:
- Drink all beverages besides plain water with a straw.
- Eat fewer highly pigmented foods.
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating.
- Brush twice per day and floss once per day.
- Use a whitening toothpaste.
- Stop smoking if you currently do.
What time of day should I whiten my teeth?
We feel nighttime is best. And with dissolving strips like SNOW Magic Strips, you can put them on right before bed. This ensures you don’t eat or drink too soon after treatment.
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