To make your hands look well-groomed and beautiful, it is important not only to do fashionable manicure but also to take good care of the cuticles. Gentle care for the cuticle will protect the nail from the penetration of various bacteria and infections. Find out what basic cuticle care rules you should follow to keep your nails neat and healthy.
Basic rules and tips for cuticle care
What is a cuticle? This is a thin strip of skin near the nail plate that has a protective function. Professionals in the field of manicure do not advise cutting the cuticle, thanks to it, bacteria and microbes do not penetrate the base of the nails, as cuticle allows nails to grow healthy, strong and beautiful. If you don't care for the cuticles, you will soon encounter problems such as burrs, dryness and cracks in the skin, and because of this, the nails can grow more slowly and even change their shape.
Do hand baths
Start with a hand bath. Fill a small container with warm water and add the softening solution to it. Shower gel or bath salt will also work but only if the skin is intact and does not suffer from dryness. Five minutes will be enough to steam the skin of the hands, soften the cuticle and thus prepare it for further care.
Salt bath 1-2 times a week will strengthen the skin and nails, soften the cuticles. The water should be at a comfortable temperature, and in addition to sea salt, you can add a drop of essential oil to it. After the bath, make an oil scrub with crystals of salt or sugar and, as a final step, apply a nourishing cream to wet skin.
Use removers
The next step in cuticle care is the application of a remover. This is a special agent that helps to separate the dead cuticle cells from the living ones. It acts as a peeling product and therefore often contains a component such as fruit acids. Removers are available as either a liquid or a gel; they act quickly and additionally soften the cuticle.
Move the cuticle back
The cuticle should not be cut, but pushed back carefully and accurately, best of all with the help of an orange stick. Avoid applying excessive pressure to the base of the nail. If you press too hard, bumps may appear on the nail.
Do a cuticle massage
Instead of squeezing the nail with a stick, pushing back the cuticle, gently massage the base along with the skin around it. First, it is worth applying a cream with moisturizing ingredients, for example, glycerin to the cuticle. Rub it into the cuticle using light circular motions. Give each nail enough time, at least a minute.
Moisturize your cuticles
Use hand cream regularly and do not forget to treat the skin around your nails with special care, or with manicure oil. Apply it to the cuticle until completely absorbed. Use hand and nail cream. It takes good care of the cuticles. You can also use cuticle oil. Usually, such products include a mixture of oils, for example, jojoba, olive, avocado. You can buy special oils from beauty brands, or buy shea, peach or tea tree butter from the drug store, which is great for nourishing your cuticles.
Many hand creams are suitable for the care of the cuticle and even the nail plate. You need those that contain vitamin E, allantoin, chamomile and aloe extracts. Find out more about nail care, follow the link
Important tips for cuticle care from nail technicians
Apply cuticle care products daily. Apply directly to the cuticle, gently distribute and massage until completely absorbed.
Use hand cream all year round. In summer - moisturizing and containing SPF, in winter - thick protective.
At night you can apply nourishing hand cream.
So that the body and skin of the hands (and therefore the cuticle) do not experience a moisture deficit, observe the drinking regime. The rate of 2 liters per day does not work for everyone, so calculate the optimal amount of water individually according to the formula 30 ml per 1 kg of weight.
Choose only medical stainless steel cuticle tweezers.
Precautions
You should not start processing the cuticle if it has inflammation and burrs, even if the procedure is performed by a professional.
Admirers of edged manicure, in which the cuticle does not move away, but is cut off, it is better to entrust this task to the master. No amateur performance, if you don't want to get hurt with all the ensuing unpleasant consequences.
To keep your cuticle tidy, simply take proper care of it!