Leave your cuticles well alone The cuticle has a very important purpose to serve: It seals the area at the base of the nail. So when you cut (or gnaw at) the cuticle, it breaks that seal of protection. The better you are at leaving cuticles alone, the more your nails will thank you.
-Leave the cuticles alone. Cuticles protect the nail root, so it's best to not cut or push back the cuticles.
Cuticles are important to maintain and not to be removed. They are there to protect your nails from bacteria and infection. Always tell your nail technician not to cut the cuticles, just trim hangnails and loose skin that is visible after pushing cuticles back.
You don't have to push your cuticles back. In fact, it's highly discouraged to touch them at all. “They are the only barrier we have to protect germs, water and irritants from getting into the finger,” explains Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills.
Your cuticle is an important part of your nail. This small strip of skin at the bottom of your nail acts as extra protection from germs entering your nail bed. Pushing them back incorrectly or cutting them too short can put you at risk of infection. A licensed nail technician can do this for you safely.
“The true cuticle that does need to be removed is the small, scaly area of dead skin that is stuck to the nail plate. These dead skin cells need to be removed to help to prevent hangnails, encourage the growth of the natural nail, and from an aesthetic point of view, to give a clean cosmetic look to the nails.
It should be part of your regular self-care. That said, pushing back your cuticles should be done every 4 to 7 days because you can overdo it, too. You do not want to do this too often as it may decrease the integrity of the cuticle and prevent it from being able to grow.
A healthy cuticle should look smooth in appearance and easily reflect the light. It should also be able to withstand and limit friction that occurs when hair shafts are rubbed against each other. In general, a healthy hair cuticle will be uniform in texture from the root to the tip of each strand.
Use a Buffer to Remove Unruly Cuticles
“Use a nail buffer on dry skin to gently buff away any excess cuticles as needed,” she says. “Gently glide the buffer cube back and forth along the edge of the cuticle to erase dry skin and smooth things out.”
Why Does Pushing Back Your Cuticles Make Your Manicure Last Longer. 1- Pushing back your cuticles allows your nail product to bond entirely onto your nail plate and not onto the cuticle. – Nail polishes and other products such as acrylic and gel were made to bond directly to the nail plate.
These tiny pieces of the the skin keep your nails healthy and strong, so it's important to keep them pampered. They act like a sealant, preventing bacteria and fungus from slipping between the skin and your nail. When they're compromised, whether it's from biting, picking, or cutting, you run the risk of an infection.
Tip: Speak up! Simply ask your nail technician not to cut your cuticles or push them back during your manicures and pedicures. Tools used to remove cuticles can transfer infections to your nails. If salons do not properly sterilize the tools they use on your hands, then you could be contracting infections.
The worst part of a (mostly) relaxing manicure is when your tech trims your cuticles without your permission. If they go too far, they can damage living skin, causing a wavy, uneven nail bed. The process should be gentle, if you're okay with it being done at all.
The easiest way to care for them is to soak your hand or foot in soapy, warm water for around 10 minutes every few days. This helps soften the cuticle and keeps your nails clean. You can also apply cuticle oil and a massage cream. Moisturize your cuticles regularly to prevent dryness and cracking.
Soak your nails in lemon water for 5 minutes.
Soak your nails in the mixture for about 5 minutes. Pat your hands with a clean, dry towel to remove excess water. Use a cuticle stick to carefully push back your cuticles. Finish by rubbing in a dab of your favorite moisturizing lotion.
Cuticle inflammation and paronychia
Zinc deficiency can cause the cuticle to become inflamed. Paronychia occurs when there is an infection around the nail.
A damaged cuticle is rough and dull, with scales that are either raised or stripped away. This kind of cuticle leaves the vulnerable core of the hair fiber exposed. Hairs that have damaged cuticles are also very tangly, as scales that normally point downwards have been raised so that they cause friction.
“It can lead to infections, which range from just a little bit of pus to permanent deformation of your fingernails. Your nails can actually fall off if you continue to pick,” she says.
It's mostly for the looks and less for health. Cuticles are the dead skin dragged out as the nail grows. They make the nail look smaller and sometimes less attractive. The idea behind removing the cuticles is similar to the idea of nail cutting.
The Manicure Itself Is the Culprit
“It's usually because the skin is too dry, but you could also be allergic to glues or acetone removers. Manicurists also soak instruments in antibacterial solutions, which can be irritating to skin.” Cutting the cuticles can make them hard, causing them to crack, too.
Nails don't need surface access to air because they get oxygen and nutrients from your blood. Keeping nails hydrated is important if yours are prone to breakage, and a pause in polishing to moisturize would help.
It's actually illegal in some states – including New York (see nail licensing examination documentation) – to cut cuticles; it's considered a surgical procedure. “Cuticles should be pushed back only – you can train your cuticles to stay back by pushing them with your finger out of the shower.