Cuticle Care Tips Everyone Needs to Know

Cuticle Care Tips Everyone Needs to Know

You can’t overlook your cuticles if you want to keep your hands looking and feeling good. The next time you get a manicure in Woodbridge, cuticle care will go a long way in keeping your manicures looking fresh in the long term. Below are some tips on keeping your cuticles in excellent condition, including using a cuticle pusher correctly.

 

First Things First

Before you master how to take care of your cuticles, you must understand; what is a cuticle?  The layer of fine skin at the bottom of your nail plate is the cuticle. Many people assume that the cuticle and the eponychium are the same. An eponychium is the band of living skin situated at the bottom of your nails. The cuticle lies just above the nail fold on your nail plate and consists of a thin layer of dead skin.

Adopting the proper cuticle care routine keeps your nails healthy and helps prevent infection. The cuticles shield your nails from bacteria.

 

Pushing Back Your Cuticles

There are several reasons why we push back our cuticles. The cuticles could grow excessively on the nail plate. When you push back the cuticles, you create ample space for applying acrylics or nail polish. If you paint or apply nail extensions on top of the cuticles, it could cause them to lift and detach from the rest of your nail bed.

Now you understand that it’s important to push back your cuticles. However, how you do it is what matters. While pushing back the cuticles, you must ensure that you don’t cause any damage to the nails or the cuticles. When you master the proper technique, using a cuticle pusher is not complicated. You should follow the following steps when pushing back your cuticles:

  • Start by removing your nail extensions or polish.
  • Massage your cuticles and the surrounding skin with a few drops of cuticle oil for several minutes to moisturize and soften them.
  • Using the rounded sides of the cuticle pusher, firmly press the cuticle towards the nail fold. So that you know, the nail fold is the skin at the bottom of the nail.
  • If you have the excess dead skin on the nails, use a cuticle clipper to remove the excess dead skin. At times, you may notice some jagged pieces of the skin protruding from the sides of your nails. These are known as hangnails. You can use the cuticle clipper to remove these hangnails.

You should be extremely careful while clipping the dead cuticles from your nail to avoid cutting the nail fold or the eponychium. You should also avoid removing the entire cuticle because this could leave your nail exposed and open to infections.

You can choose between three types of cuticle pushers: stone, wood, and steel. If you have soft cuticles, an orangewood stick is a perfect option. A stone pusher is perfect if you have harder cuticles, whereas  a steel pusher is ideal for tougher and harder cuticles.

 

Tips for Using Cuticle Removers

While pushing back your cuticles, you can add a liquid cuticle remover. The cuticle removers come in handy in buffing away or exfoliating the cuticles that are still attached to the nail plate. A cuticle remover makes the process of pushing back your cuticles much easier. You don’t always have to use a cuticle remover. However, if you choose to use one, here’s how to go about it:

  • Start by applying the cuticle remover on the cuticles.
  • Let the cuticle remover sink in for around 30 minutes. The time needed for the cuticle remover to sink in will vary by product.
  • Use an implement of choice to push the cuticles back.
  • Wipe away the dead cuticle skin or the excess cuticle remover.
  • Apply the cuticle oil.

 

Daily Cuticle Care Routine

It’s crucial to know how to keep your cuticles soft and healthy, in addition to knowing how to push back the cuticles in preparation for your next manicure in Woodbridge. Your new manicure won’t look great if you have flaky and dry skin around your nails. If you fail to adopt the proper everyday cuticle care, you might develop an infection. Below are some proven tips for taking care of your cuticles:

 

  • Stop Biting or Picking Your Cuticles

Perhaps you are a chronic cuticle biter or picker. Well, it’s time to stop this behaviour . You could be causing the cuticles and the  neighbouring skin extreme damage. Use cuticle clippers to snip the annoying hangnails instead of biting them off. You should avoid pulling the hangnail because it might drag the skin further down and cause more damage and pain.

 

  • Apply Cuticle Oil

You should use cuticle oil, especially if your cuticles or the surrounding skin is prone to splitting or becoming hard easily. Our fingers are constantly exposed to harsh conditions, including harsh chemicals and detergents. The normal wear and tear also expose your nails to damage. Now and then, you can give your nails well-deserved tender loving care by applying cuticle oil.

How can you apply cuticle oil effectively?  You should massage the oil into your cuticles, the nail bed, and the neighbouring  skin. You should incorporate cuticle oil into your manicure routine by applying it before bed. When you adopt this routine, you will keep your nails looking amazing at all times. You should apply cuticle oil after a manicure to keep your nails look glossy.

The area around the nail bed is  susceptible and often prone to peeling and cracking. You can use cuticle oil to hydrate this area. You can apply cuticle oil overnight to soothe the damaged cuticles.

 

  • Your Nails Might Need a Break

You might have tried all the recommended tips, but your cuticles are still dry and torn. Why not take some time off the manicures? The process of gels and acrylics usually involves extreme dehydration and the use of harsh chemicals. You should consider using an acetone-free nail polish solution to see how your nails respond.

 

  • Keep Your Cuticles Clean

Keeping your nail cuticles clean helps prevent infection. The most effective way of cleaning your cuticles is by soaking your nails in soapy, warm water every few days. Soak your nails for around 10 minutes for effective cleansing.

 

 

When Your Cuticles are infected

You should look out for infection if your cuticles are always sore and cracked. You might develop trauma on the cuticles if you often pick, bite, or cut your cuticles. Cuticle trauma could also result from pushing your cuticles down too far. Trauma on your cuticles might cause a bacterial infection known as paronychia. What are some of the typical signs of infected cuticles?

  • The skin surrounding the cuticles might appear red
  • You might have tender skin around the cuticles, which is sore to touch
  • Unexpected changes in your nail color, shape, and texture
  • Nail detachment
  • Pus-filled blisters

You should book an appointment with your doctor if you notice unexpected changes in your cuticles or the surrounding tissues.

Now you are aware of some of the most reliable and proven tips for taking good care of your cuticles. The outlined tips will help you keep your nails and cuticles in their best condition. Nails A More can provide you with all the essential nail care tips, including how to remove gels at home and to remove acrylic nails with minimal damage. We welcome you to visit Nails A More Nail Salon once the lockdown is lifted for a professionally done manicure.