Removing the cuticle at home, the rules for preparing for the procedure, common methods, the benefits and harms of manipulations, means for eliminating keratinized cuticles. The cuticle on the nails is a natural skin growth at the base of the nail plate that grows to its surface. To create a beautiful manicure, you should take special care of it, because her unkempt appearance significantly spoils the overall picture of female and male hands.
Functions of the cuticle on the nails
The cuticle on the nails has its own purpose, which is to create a barrier to the penetration of foreign particles and microorganisms. Getting them into the base of the nail can cause a lot of harm, from simple short-term inflammation to serious fungal infections that are difficult to treat.
At the base of the nail - in the growth zone - important processes of the formation of new cells of the nail plate, their further development, take place. The quality of the entire nail largely depends on this.
So, the main function of the cuticle is protective. It ensures the correct growth of the nail and allows it to be healthy and beautiful. The value of the cuticle is obvious, but in some cases, if you refuse to take care of this part of the skin or carry it out incorrectly, there are indications for its removal.
During the life of a person, hands every day come into contact with various objects, substances that affect the surface layers of the skin in different ways. Very often the skin is damaged and dried out.
In fact, the cuticle has two parts - eponychium and pterygium. The first and main body includes the blood vessels and is active in warding off infection and damage. And the second is the remnants of eponychium, dehydrated and dead particles, which often grow tightly with the nail.
It is this part that should be removed in order to prevent skin breaks - the appearance of the so-called burrs. Due to the formation of barbs, painful sensations arise, and a path is opened for infection to penetrate.
Rules for preparing the cuticle for removal
Cuticle removal and care methods are selected in accordance with its appearance, which is determined based on physiology. Cuticle types:
- Active cuticle … It has a high tissue growth rate. It is often rough, dry, which increases the risk of cracks and burrs. Requires more careful maintenance. To remove it, a mechanical or chemical method is used.
- Weak cuticle … This is a less problematic option, since cells form soft skin growth, not bulky. In this case, you can refuse to remove, applying only moistening and pushing back in order to avoid fusion with the nail plate.
Preparing the cuticle for removal is a crucial stage. It ensures the correct delineation of this tissue into the main, living part and dead areas. If you carry out the removal procedure without proper preparatory measures, then harm can be done by violating the integrity of living tissue.
The preparatory stage includes the following steps:
- Softening … Prepare a hot finger bath. To do this, dissolve a few drops of essential oil in hot water. Lemon juice or sea salt can be used as additional substances. The duration of the procedure is 5-20 minutes. Such baths not only help soften the skin, but also nourish it. When finished, pat your palms dry with a towel.
- Moisturizing … Apply moisturizer. After that, the boundaries between the parts of the cuticle will be clearly visible, which will greatly facilitate the removal process. Remove excess cream with a napkin.
Methods for removing cuticles from nails
As stated earlier, the cuticle can be problematic or normal. Depending on this, one or another method of struggle and care is used, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at the specifics of the three main methods.
Trim cuticle removal method
Cuticle cutting is a fairly common mechanical method that requires some skill. It is carried out with the help of nail scissors, tweezers or a special manicure fork.
The sequence of actions for mechanical removal of the cuticle on the nails:
- Disinfect all tools you will be using. The need for these actions is justified by the possibility of contact with blood vessels.
- After softening and moisturizing the skin, use a pusher or stick to push the cuticle towards the base, slightly lifting the dead part up from the nail.
- Start cutting the cuticle from the side towards the middle of the base of the nail. Eliminate biting movements, do not pinch, but cut.
- After cutting off a small piece, do not try to pull on the cuticle to rip off the rest. The process should take place smoothly and slowly so as not to damage the living tissue.
- When treating areas at the base, the instrument should be wound in such a way as to capture the pterygium as close to the nail as possible.
- After all fingers have been treated, you can treat with hydrogen peroxide to remove trapped germs, or your favorite nourishing cream.
This method is rather laborious. To use it at home, you need to acquire a special skill, so it is best to do such a manicure in salons from specialists. Has a high degree of trauma, especially on thin skin. Be careful when choosing a specialist in order to avoid infection with dangerous diseases, for example, hepatitis, due to the dishonesty of the manicure master.
The pruning method is not recommended for people with diabetes.
Unedged cuticle removal method
This method is younger, but with the development of technology, it has many options for the means used. The best way to use at home due to the lack of the ability to injure the living tissue of the skin. Virtually no contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components of the agent used.
Cuticle removers are predominantly made from lactic acid or fruit acid. Some products contain components that can slow down the growth of the cuticle, which reduces the frequency of removal manipulations.
Available in three varieties: dry, wet and hot. The first does not provide for pretreatment of the skin. The second requires softening. And the third is used for the coarser cuticles, is more aggressive. With especially rough cuticle tissue, it is possible to use a combined method - mechanical cutting using special chemicals.
Sequence of actions for wet chemical cuticle removal:
- Carry out preparatory measures for moisturizing and softening in the bath for 5 minutes.
- Apply cuticle remover to the area at the base of the nail. Adjust the exposure time in accordance with the recommendations on the package. Do not apply it on more than 3 nails in order to avoid overexposure and, consequently, overdrying of tissues.
- Remove excess product with a cotton pad.
- Use a special stick to move the cuticle from the nail plate to the base. The stick should be silicone, plastic or wood with a specially treated edge. The first two options are the most durable, they can be disinfected several times. Wooden sticks are considered disposable.
- Remove the remaining cuticle with a cotton pad.
- Apply a special oil that can slow the growth of skin tissue. Such a tool should be thoroughly rubbed into the nail plate and the skin around it.
- Remember to degrease your nails before applying the nail polish.
Note! The products can harm the nail plate when used more than 2 times a week.
The method of moving the cuticle from the nails
Many professionals in the field of manicure are sure that if the cuticle is small and almost invisible, then its removal is unreasonable. It is known that when tissue is cut, their growth is stimulated, which increases the frequency of the need for new processing, and also increases the risk of microtrauma and infection.
For owners of an inconspicuous and not problematic cuticle, the pushing method is recommended. To a greater extent, it is a care option, not removal, it helps to avoid growing skin with a nail, the appearance of burrs. Suitable as an intermediate treatment between removal procedures.
Moving the cuticle involves doing the following:
- Prepare nails and skin to moisturize and soften.
- Applying a special emollient to make the fabric more pliable.
- Moving the cuticle grown together with the nail plate to the growth zone.
- Finishing treatment of brushes with a nourishing cream.
What cuticle removers to use
In the context of a variety of tools and tools for manicure, it is quite difficult to choose really necessary and high-quality goods. The information below will help you decide on a purchase, as well as understand what products can be combined in nail and cuticle care.
Nail cuticle chemicals
Special cuticle removers are considered the safest, and therefore more in demand. However, it is quite difficult to call it a budget one, since the prices for this type of manicure products are considerable.
Before you buy this or that option, check out the composition. Some manufacturers add acid or alkali, which are harmful to the nail plate. The best option, because the most gentle - products based on fruit acid, as well as those preparations, the composition of which is enriched with vitamins.
As an example, we will describe several cuticle remover products:
- CUTICLE AWAY gel from CND … Designed for dry, unedged manicure. Can be applied to 5 fingers at once without fear of drying out the cuticle. Volume - 177 ml, cost - 890 rubles. Contains alkali, so wash your hands thoroughly after removal. Joint use of pumice is allowed.
- AVOPLEX EXFOLIATING CUTICLE TREATMENT by OPI … Dissolves the cuticle, does not have a negative effect on the nail, because does not contain alkali and other irritants. Volume - 30 ml, cost - 770 rubles.
- PERFECT NAILS CUTICLE REMOVER BY EL CORAZON … Produces gentle removal of dead tissue. Allantoin and glycerin actively moisturize and soften. Contains an antioxidant component - passion fruit, as well as almond oil with moisturizing properties. Volume - 16 ml, price - 180 rubles.
Nail and cuticle wax
By itself, wax is not able to dissolve dead cuticle tissue, but it is an excellent care product, because able to nourish and moisturize the skin. It is good to use it after the varnish has completely dried or immediately after removing the cuticle if no decorative coating is provided. Can be used instead of daily care creams.
Let's describe several options for nail and cuticle wax:
- NORDIC FLORA wax from Bio. Rus … Designed to nourish and soften nails and cuticles after non-mechanical removal of pterygium and in between procedures. Prevents dryness, cracking, burr formation. It contains natural ingredients, does not contain mineral oils, water, various dyes, parabens are also excluded. The cost of a jar (12 g) is 560 rubles.
- DNC Nourishing Bio Wax … One of the most budgetary options. Cost - up to 140 rubles for 6 ml of the product. But customer ratings are not high either. most note a weak effect on the cuticle. Slightly brightens the edge of the nail. Made on the basis of beeswax with the addition of cosmetic paraffin, silicone, extracts of ginseng, sea buckthorn and Eleutherococcus, as well as fragrances and castor oil.
- Panthenol Forte wax from Belweder … Ingredients: jojoba wax, beeswax, natural extracts and oils, etc. The downside is the content of mineral oil, which creates a film on the skin. It has the following properties: strengthening, healing, moisturizing, accelerating nail growth. Price for 6 g - 190 rubles.
Nail cuticle pencil
The cuticle pencil is a handy applicator containing active ingredients. It is convenient to carry such a pencil in your purse so that you can correct your manicure at any time. The German company SHERE & NAGEL took the leading place in the sale of this type of product on the market.
We will describe several options for pencils designed to remove cuticles:
- SHERE & NAGEL Cuticle Remover Pencil … This tool contains natural oils that can soften the cuticle and dissolve dead cells, as well as slow down its growth and strengthen the nail plate. Can be used in combination with a sanding file. Very easy to use. Equipped with a small nail file. The cost is 2900 rubles.
- Bio-Ceramic Oil Pencil by SHERE & NAGEL … It contains natural oils that dissolve the cuticle and nourish its living part. The smell is soft lemon. There is a built-in nail file. The cost is 2500 rubles.
- SHERE & NAGEL Cuticle Removal Pencil Set … The set includes two applicators. The combination of natural oils thoroughly removes dead skin particles and cares for both cuticles and nails, making them strong and improving their color. The cost is 4300 rubles.
SHERE & NAGEL cooperates only with bona fide distributors, has its own online store for convenient ordering of goods and feedback. It works on the principles of providing quality services, providing certified goods, offering convenient conditions for the return or exchange of goods.
Cuticle file on nails
The cuticle file refers to the dry method of removing pterygium. When using it, there is no need to pre-steam the skin. But after completing the procedure, you must definitely use a nourishing cream. There is a risk of damage to the nail plate, because the nail file has a honeycomb or mesh structure, so be careful when choosing a product.
We will describe several representatives of this category of devices:
- Cuticle file from Mertz … The cost is small - only 150 rubles. Allows you to gently push back the cuticle, lightly polishes, but does not injure the nail plate.
- Laser cuticle file from Mertz … Work surface on one side only. To push back the cuticle, use other tools, such as an orange stick. Wetting is not allowed during the procedure. Can be washed after use. The manufacturer declares the presence of diamond chips. The file does not injure the nail and skin. The cost is 410 rubles.
- Zinger Diamond Cuticle File … Gently removes dead pterygium cells. Convenient to use. Provides post-treatment with nourishing oils. The price is 200 rubles.
How to remove cuticles from nails - watch the video:
[media = https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = p4dKHVsPQpI] The material presented in the article is a confirmation that a high-quality manicure can be done at home without resorting to outside help. One has only to choose the right treatment method and apply high-quality nail and cuticle care products every day, so that your hands always look beautiful.
