The cuticle is an essential part of maintaining a he althy looking nail, as it provides a protective sheath of tissue that, in turn, shapes the nail. Proper care of it will ensure not only strong and he althy nails, but also prevent infections. Therefore, during a manicure, it is the cuticle that should be given special attention. Since improper handling can cause severe pain, and these tiny pieces of skin can turn from he althy to painful and infected. You can take care of cuticles at home with a few simple steps.
What is the cuticle and its functions for
This is a layer of transparent skin located along the bottom edge of the finger, at the base of the nail. The function of the cuticle is to protect the nails from bacteria during their growth. The area around it is thin, so it can become dry, damaged, and infected. It is important to take care of the entire nail area and keep them clean to keep them he althy.
How do you take care of yourcuticle?
It is important that your cuticles are well-groomed and not overdried. The easiest way to care for her is to steam her hands or feet in soapy warm water for about 10 minutes. This procedure should be repeated 2-3 times a week. These activities help to soften and moisturize the skin. You can also apply cuticle oil and massage cream (use cuticle oil regularly to prevent dryness and chapping).
How can you safely remove or crop it?
If you still want to cut your cuticles, it's important to soften them first. You can do this by steaming your nails in warm water (taking a bath or shower can also help soften it). Then apply a cuticle remover, if it is dry, apply a moisturizer. Using a cuticle pusher, gently push back the cuticle along the nail layer, trim off excess skin and curls, but never cut it completely, the idea is to remove only excess skin.
Cuticle care at home
You will need: nail polish remover, care oil, bowl of warm water, towel, soft cloth. You need to do the following:
- Remove old shine. Use a nail polish remover (preferably one with acetone) that dries out your nails and skin. Remove any old varnish.
- Moisturize your nails. Lubricate your cuticle with special oil, this will make it more elastic.
- Place your hands in a bowl of warm water. let them thereare within minutes to soften the cuticle.
- Remove the cuticle. To do this, take your hand out of the water, dry it, then use a soft cloth to wipe your cuticles. Then carefully cut it off so as not to infect. It is recommended to carry an antibacterial agent with you.
Cuticle care
The cuticle is part of your skin. It is located at the base of the nail. Therefore, it is worth following a few tips for caring for her.
Don't cut the cuticle. Dermatologists say there is no reason to cut it off. Damage to it can open the door to infection or irritation. Damage to it can also lead to nail problems such as edges, white spots or white lines. If you get a bacterial infection in this area, it can make it difficult for the nail to grow. In this case, you will have to consult a doctor to treat the pathology.
Moisture. The cuticle is mostly soft skin, but it needs to be moisturized. A good moisturizer for your cuticles is just as important for dry skin on your hands or feet. Any skin moisturizer will work fine for this purpose. Gently massage into cuticles.
Most dermatologists recommend thick moisturizing products such as ointments or creams for best results. Dermatology also recommends petroleum jelly as an inexpensive way to care for cuticles. But some doctors say that using a thick product like petroleum jelly throughout the day is not always practical, so there is alternative means to do so. Some experts say that you can use them at night when you do not touch, for example, papers in your office. Lotions can be used throughout the day because hands don't get as greasy, but lotions don't moisturize like creams and ointments.
The hot wax treatment that nail salons can offer is another good way to moisturize your cuticles. The special oil wax is heated until it melts. First, hands are dipped in warm oil wax, then special gloves and mittens are put on to keep hands warm, and worn for 10-15 minutes. After you take them off, your hands, nails and cuticles will be softer. The more often you lubricate your hands, including nails and cuticles, the better condition they will be.
Avoid rough manicures. Many people only visit their dermatologist when they develop red, painful patches around their nails or cuticles, caused by a skin infection called paronychia.
Before starting a manicure, you need to tell the master your preferences (wishes) and insist that your cuticle is pushed very gently with an orange stick, nothing more. If you experience pain and notice that he is pushing the cuticle too vigorously, ask him to stop immediately.
Many housewives neglect the he alth and beauty of their hands. Washing dishes without gloves, as well as frequent use of nail polish removers,containing acetone, adversely affect the condition of the skin of the hands. Therefore, experts recommend wearing gloves and not using products containing acetone.
Keep your hands out of your mouth. If you have a habit of biting your nails or biting your cuticles, work on kicking the habit to have prettier, he althier hands.
Moisturizing agent
Coconut oil is a good moisturizer for dry cuticles, it helps to strengthen the tissue. To apply coconut oil treatment:
- heat oil (room temperature);
- oil every cuticle;
- put on gloves;
- Let the oil cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove the gloves and wash your hands.
Heavy injuries
Severe cuticle damage requires restorative treatment that heals the wound. It is necessary to mix honey and olive oil in equal proportions. Add an equal amount of aloe vera juice to help heal any cracked or split skin. Mix the solution well and apply it on the cuticle. Start massaging for five minutes for better penetration of the vitamins. Repeat the treatment up to three times a week until the skin looks he althy.
Cuticle care products
Let's consider the best gels and ointments for removing cuticles.
| 1 | SALLY HANSEN | The fastest result |
| 2 | Severina | Best Price |
| 3 | KINETICS Cuticle OFF | Best cumulative effect |
| 4 | BCL Nail Cuticle Remove Oil | Best Organic Compound |
| 5 | HOLIKA HOLIKA Piece Matching Nails | Best value for money |
Careful choice of remedy
You may prefer to use a cuticle remover. Most of them contain potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, moisturizers allow you to gently remove the lifeless skin attached to the nail plate, while avoiding any potential mechanical injury. It is applied for 5-10 minutes to soften it.
But there are also disadvantages. If removed incorrectly, complications are possible, such as paronychia, a bacterial infection that causes redness and swelling of the cuticle or side walls, as well as secondary infections. Therefore, when buying products, you should read reviews on cuticle care.
Why is nail cuticle care so important?
There are people for whom a manicure or cuticle removal is just an occasional indulgence, they don't trust this job to anyone but themselves. Therefore, they leave their nails to grow without proper care. It's tempting to just trim your cuticles, but dermatologists warn this is a bad idea as it can cause breakouts.white lines or spots on nails.
The correct approach is to gently push them back once they have grown (using a removal product makes this task much easier).
What to avoid?
Cuticle removal is something to be avoided at all costs as your nails need it to protect their root from bacteria and infection. Of course, occasional trimming is fine, but don't go deep under your cuticles and cut them. In addition, you should avoid using nail polish remover more than twice a month as it can dry out your cuticles.
