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.
They always look so much nicer when they're cut and polished-looking, right? Wrong. "The thin sliver of skin along the bottom of your nail bed (aka your cuticle) serves an important purpose, which is to protect you from infection," she explained. "Otherwise it's a point of entry.
Nail roots can easily become infected if they're exposed. Pushing back the cuticles rather than trimming them keeps them sealed to the nail root and prevents the onset of bacteria and germs.
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.
Most nail salons may cut cuticles. They claim that doing so helps the polish go on better. Besides, it also helps the polish to stay longer. On your next visit to the salon, ensure to tell your technician to pull the cuticles back and trim loose skin and hangnails.
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 cuticle plays an important role in nail health. They provide protection for the tissue that grows new cells to build nails. As you know, your nails are constantly growing, that's why you have to keep them manicured.
Do nails breathe? While the intentions of advising to let the nail breathe are well and make sense in a way, the nails don't have lungs, so they don't technically breathe. The nail plate that comes out of the cuticle is a dead, hardened layer and it's alive only underneath it in an area called nail matrix.
Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail.
What is a Russian Manicure? A Russian Manicure or also known as a dry manicure is done primarily with an electronic file (e-file). The certified technician precisely uses the e-file and different attachment bits to gently lift and buff away dead cuticle skin around the nail bed.
Your cuticles are one of the most misunderstood parts of nail care. Based on many trips to the nail salon, you may have been taught that tampering with them (i.e. cutting, picking or pushing them back) is for your benefit. Truth time: This is actually purely cosmetic.
Hartman and many other dermatologists and manicurists don't recommend that you cut your cuticles under any circumstance, no matter if you're at the nail salon or at home. The practice can potentially open up your nails to numerous infections.
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.
Does your nail technician clip or trim your cuticles? Not a good idea. Cuticles should just be pushed back gently and never trimmed because they protect the nails and surrounding skin from infection.
Let's talk about balancing nail health and polish use.
In short, the answer is no. But there are caveats. Nails don't need surface access to air because they get oxygen and nutrients from your blood.
Instead Lippmann recommends gently pushing back cuticles if they have moved too far forwards. It's important that this should be done while the hands are dry, as "the cuticles shrink when they're wet", adds Lippmann.
"Leaving your nail polish on for too long can dry out the nails, leaving them brittle," says Dr. Curry. "Thin, brittle nails pose a health hazard because the nail is a barrier to keep out bacteria and fungus."
Simply use your fingernail to gently push back the proximal fold to break the death grip about every 4 to 7 days.
People with body-focused repetitive behaviours often struggle to cope with emotions such as anxiety, frustration, sadness, and boredom. They report that touching, rubbing or biting skin, nails, and hair prompts a relaxing, trance-like state, which distracts from negative emotions.
Cuticles should never be cut or trimmed as it leads to infections and ultimately damage to the nail. This is something that seems impossible to get across to the nail technicians,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, founder of LovelySkin.com.
Don't pick or bite!
Similar to cutting too close to the base, picking or biting the frays can only lead to more damage (and swollen tips). If you're a frequent nail-biter or cuticle picker, it can be tough to quit the habit—but try these tips to nip the nail-biting for good.
Using a metal pusher, you can carefully push the cuticle toward the back end of your nail. “Afterwards, use soap and water to wash the cuticle remover off of the nail plate and cut whatever's hanging,” Gerstein says. Remember, you only trim the dead excess skin (hangnails), nothing further.