Cuticles keep your fingers and nail beds safe from infection. Thus, when having dry and cracked cuticles, you’re exposed to the risk of infection. We know that you dislike grown cuticles.
So how can you stop cutting your cuticles? Instead of trimming you can just push them back and call it a day. This will keep them from continuing to grow down your nail bed. Once you do this, you’re left with extra loose skin from your cuticles. Instead of cutting them, use a cuticle removing gel.
Apply the gel straight onto your nail beds. Let sit for about 15 seconds before you gently push them back with a manicure stick. If you want to learn more about cuticles, keep on reading.
What Causes Dry Cuticles?
This goes back to diet, lifestyle, and genetics. If you’re already prone to dry skin on top of washing your hands often, you’re going to have to take extra care of your cuticles.
This involves applying cuticle cream and pushing them back once or twice a week with a wooden manicure stick.
It also involves a cuticle oil application. If this becomes your habit, it would make a significant difference. The climate can also affect your cuticles.
For instance, if you live in a climate that has dry winters, you’re going to experience dry cuticles. Cuticle cream can help you battle this problem.
How Do You Get Rid of Cuticles Naturally?
Removing your cuticles can be a painful procedure. It usually requires ripping or cutting at the extra skin around your nails. This will keep your nails free of obnoxious hangnails or ugly looking skin.
It’s not a fun task for sure! However, we’re here to present a painless technique to getting the beautiful, perfect cuticles you want. It doesn’t include any cutting. That being said, let’s jump right into.
Step 1: Soak your fingertips
Soak your nails in soapy, warm water for a couple of minutes. This helps to make your cuticles softer and easier to push back. You probably know there’s nothing worse than pushing back dry cuticles.
Step 2: Take off excess cuticles
Once your fingernails have softened up, you will want to take off that excess cuticle skin. Not by ripping or cutting. Use cuticle removing gel. Apply it onto your nail beds and let sit for a few seconds.
Step 3: Push back your cuticles
Now that your nails have been softened up and gelled up, this part that’s usually painful will be a breeze. Utilizing a wooden manicure stick, push back the cuticles. Use circular motions to nix some of the excess skin the cuticle removing gel has banished. Then, get on with the hangnails.
Step 4: Clear out hangnails
This is usually a messy process. However, it’s made so much easier with a handy tool known as ‘hangnail remover‘. This tool is a game-changer! Simply slide your hangnail in between the prongs of this tool, and your hangnail will be removed right away. The remover makes this painless.
Step 5: Utilize cuticle cream
This product is crucial for keeping your nail beds and nails moisturized. Opt for a high-quality cream that helps to make a protective barrier around your nails, keeping them healthy.
And strong! The best part? You will have healthy-looking and beautiful cuticle beds without plucking and cutting. It’s as simple as that. Utilize a cuticle cream every night before bed.
Step 6: Apply sunscreen
It’s very important to put sunscreen on your hands and nail space regularly. Your hands can burn just as easily as the rest of your body. This will also prevent premature sunspots.
As you can see, you can have healthy-looking cuticle beds without visiting the nail salon. However, if you feel confused about the process or don’t have the proper tools, visit a pro.
Is it Bad To Cut Your Cuticles?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and Mayo Clinic, it’s bad to cut your cuticles. Both institutes advise against cutting your cuticles in a nail salon. Or at home.
They protect both your fingernails and the skin surrounding them from potential infection and irritation. Once you cut your cuticles, it’s easier for germs and bacteria to enter your skin.
Is it OK To Push Back Cuticles?
It’s completely fine to push back cuticles. However, experts recommend doing it after a bath or shower. They also recommend visiting a nail salon and letting a professional take care of it.
Professionals have the right tools to prevent splitting and avoid damage. If you feel confident enough to push back cuticles at home, utilize a wooden manicure stick designed for doing just that.
Over time, your cuticles won’t require pushing back as often. This doesn’t mean that you need to neglect your cuticles. Moisturize and push them back after you take a shower once a week.
How Do You Get Rid of Hangnails?
Removing hangnails is a breeze thanks to a tool called ‘hangnail remover‘. First, soften your hangnails in soapy, warm water. Then, apply petroleum jelly or mineral oil gently to the area.
Use circular motions. Let sit for 10 minutes. Finally, utilize a sanitized hangnail remover to slice off your hangnails. You can also utilize a sanitized cuticle scissor or traditional nail clipper.
Is Vaseline Good for Cuticles?
Vaseline is good for cuticles. It can help prevent dryness, protect against moisture loss, and heal cracked skin at the same time. Apply vaseline to your cuticles for further protection before bed.
Does Coconut Oil Help Cuticles?
Coconut oil can help your cuticles by moisturizing the skin around your fingernails. It will help strengthen your cuticles as well. You can also utilize coconut oil to get rid of unwanted hangnails.
How Do You Stop Picking Cuticles?
You would be surprised to know how many people suffer from cuticle picking. This issue affects up to 5% of the population, mostly females. Usually, this habit starts in childhood due to multiple reasons.
There’s also a psychological reason for cuticle picking. However, despite the reason, we can all agree it’s a bad habit. Luckily, you can put this habit to rest by applying the following tips and expert advice.
- Make a physical barrier
You can’t stop this habit with weak willpower alone. This way, you will only set yourself up for failure or disappointment. However, you can break the cycle by wearing a bandage over your cuticles.
When something is covered, your access to that thing is limited. Therefore, when you try to get to your cuticles, you will have enough time to self-reflect and realize that you shouldn’t be doing that.
- Keep your cuticles moisturized
Sometimes, even the smallest frayed cuticle can trigger cuticle picking. To prevent this from happening, it’s best if you keep your cuticles hydrated. Use coconut oil or Vaseline to keep your cuticles moisturized and prevent the dry and rough skin that can trigger cuticle picking.
- Lead a more active life
People are more prone to cuticle picking when they’re bored, talk on the phone, work at the computer, or watch TV. Therefore, hiking, stretching, or doing yoga can help you break the habit. Move your body more! This will reduce your cuticle picking or eliminate it for life.
- Release negativity
If cuticle picking is something that happens when you experience negative thoughts or emotions, try to understand that something is causing you to do this. And it needs to be released ASAP.
In these situations, bring all your attention to yourself and your body. Then, take a deep breath through your nose and breathe out slowly through your mouth. You will notice an improvement.
- N-acetylcysteine supplement
Although there’s no magic pill for this condition, one supplement can help. According to a study made in 2016, taking a 1,200-mg daily dose of N-acetylcysteine can help even 47% of patients with a skin picking disorder. This supplement can affect mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
If someone is scarring themselves, maiming themselves, or experiencing infections, and still can’t control this habit, then there’s a bigger problem associated with their brain according to experts.
Skin picking can be a manifestation of an obsessive-compulsive disorder called dermatillomania. If this is the case with you, consult a doctor or therapist, and consider cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Treat yourself with a manicure
Once you notice progress, treat yourself with a manicure. This can be a very effective strategy according to experts. Seeing those polished nails and smooth cuticles can boost your self-confidence.
I really like this video by Carolyn Rose. She gives practical advice for people who suffer from constantly picking, biting, or cutting cuticles. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Cutting cuticles isn’t recommended by experts. It can cause various infections, especially in a place like a nail salon where equipment is utilized on different individuals.
Even if you aren’t cutting cuticles, it’s important to ensure that the equipment being utilized is sterilized. Inform yourself about what precautions your nail salon is taking.
Do you have any tips and tricks you utilize to keep perfect cuticles? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas below. We would love to hear your opinion on the topic.
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