Cuticles: how to eliminate them and not make them grow back

In this simple and useful guide, we will explain  how to remove cuticles correctly  and how to take care of them so they don't grow back .

WHAT ARE CUTICLES

The cuticles , commonly called "cuticle" , are thin thickenings of the skin  present on the root of the nails.

They grow at the base of the nail surface as a protective element of the nail growth area. Generally they remain adherent to the nails but can also rise and thicken making our fingers decidedly anti-aesthetic . If not properly managed or eliminated, cuticles can create annoying and painful wounds , which could give rise to infections.

After having discovered the meaning of cuticle, let's see how to correctly remove the hated cuticle.

HOW TO ELIMINATE CUTICLES

Here are all the steps to follow to best eliminate our cuticles. Before starting it is essential to carefully remove all traces of nail polish and wash your hands.

FIRST STEP: soak with warm water

Fill a bowl with lukewarm water , adding a tablespoon of almond oil (or even olive oil) and the juice of half a lemon . The latter is an excellent "grandmother's remedy" to whiten stained nails and also to make them stronger : it is more effective than you might think! Immerse your fingertips in the basin with water for 5 minutes , leaving the cuticles to soften.

Soak in warm water

SECOND STEP: apply a cuticle oil

Apply a specific oil for cuticles  (in absence you can also use a hand cream but it is less suitable), massaging them thoroughly. This treatment will soften the cuticles more, making it easier to remove them.

Cuticle oil

THIRD STEP: push back the cuticles with an orange wood stick

With an orange wood stick (easily available in all perfumeries) push the cuticles towards the hand, shaping them until they are less visible. Alternatively, if the films are stronger, you can use a steel cuticle pusher. Be careful not to apply excessive pressure otherwise you risk irritating the skin surrounding the nail or, even worse, causing bleeding on the edges.

Orange wood stick to push cuticles

FOURTH STEP (optional): remove cuticles

Should the cuticles be cut? Yes or no? It depends .

If they are tiny and barely visible, we advise you  never to cut them , either with a nail clipper or scissors, to prevent them from growing more resistant and tenacious than before. You just have to use the wooden stick to make them invisible and constantly apply cuticle oil.

If, on the other hand, you have large cuticles, very visible and protruding , then it is essential to cut them to remove them . There is also a special tool on the market for cutting cuticles, commonly called "cuticle cutter". This tool must be used very carefully, without applying too much pressure otherwise you risk ruining the underlying nail. Furthermore, you must never tear the cuticles otherwise you risk injuring yourself. On the market, you can also easily find stainless steel cuticle sets composed of cuticle nippers and spoon-shaped cuticle pushers.

Cut your cuticles

 

The beauticians cut the cuticles only when the excess skin is really abundant and it could not be done otherwise. In these cases, complete removal is opted for but the procedure is no longer repeated for subsequent manicures. The advice is to start from that moment a careful care of the cuticles  to keep their growth under control.

 

Cut the cuticles

FIFTH STEP: rinse and dry

To finish the treatment, rinse your hands with warm water to  degrease the oil from the nails and remove any residue, then dry them with a soft cloth .

Nail with cuticle and nail without cuticle

This simple procedure that we have explained to you is commonly carried out during the manicure procedure by beauticians but you can do it yourself, at your home, in DIY mode. You just need to equip yourself with the few necessary tools. In addition, the procedure can also be performed on the cuticles of the feet , for a perfect pedicure.

LIMIT CUTICLE REGROWTH USING CUTICLE OIL

Cuticles never stop growing . Especially if they are completely eliminated, they tend to reform after a short time. However, their growth can be controlled. How?

If we want to prevent cuticles from growing back to excess, the only solution is to constantly treat them with the right products.

L ' oil for the cuticles is a substance that provides hydration and nourishment to the skin and nail. It can be composed of one or more types of natural oils. The most common ones are jojoba oil and castor oil , but olive oil and almond oil can also be found many times . They are often found in combination with each other and can be accompanied by essential oils, vitamins and minerals that help nail growth.

Why is it useful? The oil is used to hydrate and soften dry and hard cuticles, it also acts on the entire area surrounding the nail. It prevents the skin from drying out and creating small cuts or dehydrated areas or inflamed cuticles.

When to apply cuticle oil? The cuticle oil, to have an effect, must be used very consistently , applying it to the base of the nails, right on the cuticular, and then massaged well on each individual nail. This operation must be repeated after each manicure . Furthermore, if you use a lot of soaps and detergents or wash your hands often, it is highly recommended to apply cuticle oil every night before going to bed or even several times a day if the cuticles are particularly dry.

These nail care products are easily found on the market , even in large perfume chains, but they can also be made at home , such as DIY cuticle oil.

CUTICLE MIX PRODUCTS: PROS AND CONS

The melt cuticles are products which contain potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and humectants. These agents allow the  removal of the cuticle adhering to the nail plate without causing potential mechanical trauma from cutting or rubbing with the file.

The cuticle remover is used  at the beginning of the manicure : it is used to soften the tissue adhering to the foil and facilitate the removal of dead skin. It is applied for 5-7 minutes on the cuticles , then you dip your hands in water and then proceed with the removal of the cuticles using the appropriate tools.

Among the cons of using cuticle removers are the potential health risks of the nail , such as excessive softening of the nail plate or removal of excess tissue. Another potential consequence is the onset of bacterial infections such as paronychia (redness and swelling of the eponychium on the lateral walls), according to the text of the Cosmetic Dermatology Products & Procedures by Zoe Diana Draelos.

We hope you found this guide on how to best remove cuticles and how to take care of them to have a perfect manicure every time.

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