You should have your popcorn ceiling tested for asbestos. Ours had it and it is from the late 70s. They were using this into the 1980s; see link. Our state requires full decontamination (a shower station was put up in our backyard) for all workers and multiple safety regs for it. If your ceiling doesn't have asbestos, it's no big deal. Do it yourself or hire it. It is far easier to remove if someone has not come along and painted over it. If it does contain asbestos, you really need to think twice about doing it yourself. A papermask is not going to cut it! We had contractors offer to remove it for us "under the table" but we didn't want any floating around to breathe later. We also wanted paperwork showing we'd removed it properly if we ever sell the home. One thing we did that we regretted was have the same company do the retexturing and painting as did the decontam. Their painting subs were nothing amazing and I think charged a lot more because they were with the removal people. They have to put two layers of plastic up and they take the first one down after the asbestos is out. Have them leave the 2nd layer up for your own contractors and you'd be happier. Here is a link that might be useful: asbestos Q&A

Now, to get off all the residual dust, do I just have to wipe down the ceiling the same as for wiping down sheet rock after taping, mudding and sanding Yes

If the bubbling then peeled to bare drywall, you simply did not have a good bond. Such spots are often over the mudded seam areas, where sanding dust was not removed, or a good drywall sealer was not properly applied. Where popcorn is removed dry, often a chauky residue is over the whole area. Use of a good drywall sealer is imperative. Cut out the bubbled areas, patch with a couple coats of drywall compound, sand and prime. Then finish coat with a quality paint suitable for baths with showers. Traditionally, higher sheen paints are used in showers because of their higher resistance to humidity.

I’m removing popcorn ceiling. A section (pic) between the top of the cabinets to the ceiling had popcorn on it. Should I return that section to the ceiling color or paint it the color of the rest of the kitchen? Thank you