How to take care of it ?

What are nail cuticles?

The cuticle of the nail is a very thin layer of skin which extends beyond the edge of the skin of the finger to adhere to the nail plate and therefore cover part of the nail. It is present on all fingers, hence the fact that we usually talk about cuticles to describe these small skin types. Generally discreet because of an almost imperceptible color, this small skin located on the entire contour of the nail (at the base, but also on the sides) can sometimes grow to encroach a little too much on the nail which interferes with the manicure. And because it's thin, it's particularly prone to drying out and can turn slightly white, even hard when it gets very dry. But the latter is far from useless, because it constitutes a natural protective barrier for the nail against bacteria and germs (which could get under the fingernail) to prevent infections. Agathe Pons, professional manicurist, alerts us to its importance: “If the skin is stuck to the nail, it is precisely to prevent bacteria from having a door of entry because if it is lifted, it no longer offers protection and this can create a host of diseases, including whitlow which is the greatest classic ”. In order for it to perform its role, it must therefore remain firmly adhered to the nail and not be damaged.

How to take care of the nail cuticle?

You will understand, it is important to maintain the nail cuticle so that it remains discreet and above all in good health so that it can properly perform its barrier role at the nail level. Of course, you must not tear or gnaw your cuticles with your teeth, even if the latter become dry and embarrassing. You could injure yourself and create a gateway for bacteria, which could lead to inflammation or worse: infection.

The easiest and most effective way to take care of your cuticles is to moisturize them regularly. There's nothing like a good moisturizer for the hands, or better yet, a special nourishing cuticle oil that you apply, ideally daily, to your nails and cuticles.
If you opt for the hand cream option because you have already taken the right reflex to apply it every day, know that there are two-in-one hand creams that are specially designed to pamper both hands and cuticles. While all moisturizers will have a good effect on your cuticles anyway, your cuticles are rich enough to overcome even the most recalcitrant dry cuticles. You just need to swap your usual cream (perhaps a little too light) for a more suitable and more nourishing product. To better find your way on the shelves or on e-shops brands specializing in nail care, know that it is generally mentioned very clearly on the packaging of the product. As for cuticle oil, it is generally the product of a blend of rich vegetable oils such as argan, sweet almond, jojoba, castor or avocado oils. You can also use pure vegetable oil to heal your cuticles if you prefer, and heat it slightly to make the moment more pleasant. Even a good quality edible oil, such as olive oil can do the trick without specific care.
Thanks to this regular care, the cuticles are well hydrated and remain flexible and comfortable. Thus, in good health, they effectively protect the nail while allowing you to have prettier hands.

Pro Spa Protective Hand Nail & Cuticle Cream by O.P.I.

Peggy Sage Cuticle Oil

If your cuticles tend to dry out quickly and you are a fan of nail polish, also consider adopting a gentle remover, without acetone. Its formula will thus be less drying for your small skin (also called desires) over time. It is an easy product to find, even in supermarkets, and this type of solvent is also at the same price as more aggressive conventional solvents. No reason, therefore, not to adopt it! You will see, this small change can already make the difference if you multiply the manicures and you have to use your nail polish remover very often.

Diadermine Gentle Remover

Why push back nail cuticles?

When the cuticles are very visible, they can become unsightly because because of them, the edge of the nail is irregular. And if the cuticles are raised on the sides of the nail, the hands look less clean and less neat, no matter how good the manicure or the nail art realized. In addition, when the cuticles grow far across the nail plate, they prevent the nail polish from being applied as close to the skin as possible which means that the manicure lasts less. That's why it's great to push back your cuticles every now and then before they ruin your manicure.

How to properly push back your cuticles?

Are your cuticles encroaching too much on your nails? Then you can push back your cuticles. But no question of using just any tool to do it! Put away your scissors or cuticle nippers, what you need is a much softer tool: the cuticle pusher. Choose it instead in metal and preferably opt for a professional tool Stainless steel quality. The best is even to find a cuticle pusher with a rounded end so that it is delicate with the nail and the skin. But never push back your cuticles dry as it may hurt yourself.

Peggy Sage Cuticle Pusher

The right method to push back your cuticles

• Start by preparing a fabric softener bath by running a little lukewarm water in a bowl.
• Apply an emollient cuticle treatment to the contour of the nail, precisely where the cuticles are located. They come in the form of emollient water or emollient gel, but all of them soften the skin to make it easier to work on. Do not hesitate to be generous so that the product covers all the cuticles well and is effective.

Instant Cuticle Remover by Sally Hansen

• Then soak the fingertips coated with care in hot water for a few minutes to do well soften the cuticles.
• You can then either use your cuticle pusher directly, or wipe off the excess emollient product with a cotton ball before using it.
• Place your hand flat on the table to have more stability and thus avoid micro-injuries.
• Then gently push the small skins from the edge of the nail with the pusher part of the stainless steel cuticle pusher, making a gentle movement towards the lunula of the nail. Go gradually, without forcing, because the skins must come off gently and the gesture must in no way hurt you or cause the slightest scratch.
• Finally, clean the edge of the nails of the small skin that has come off.

Here you are with crisp nails and an even nail contour! You are then free to manicure them as you wish. You can flaunt a perfect French manicure, an impeccable colored manicure or a nail art beautiful. And good news, since you can apply your nail polish closer to the skin, your manicure will last longer.

“We tend to call it the slow manicure” specifies Agathe Pons, because this way of manicuring takes time "For the respect of the nail and the skin". She assures us, however, that it is worth it because "When we do this, we do not lift the contour of the nail because it still has a use" But “We arrive at a sublime result with a super clear outline”.

As you will have understood, emollient care and cuticle regrowths are products and accessories that should join the ranks of your essentials in your nail beauty kit, alongside your nail clippers and your nail file.

How to get rid of dry cuticles on the edges of the nails?

If your dry cuticles on the sides of the nail have already hardened and cracked, they have certainly formed a few spikes of hard skin that have lifted up and are painful when you touch them or touch your fingertips. In this case, you can take a special cuticle forceps or scissors to gently cut the raised part of the cuticle which is very hard in order to regain comfort. These special pliers are sometimes called cuticle pliers or cuticle trimmer pliers on e-shops like Amazon. However, it is necessary be particularly careful when using them and do not cut too far so as not to damage the cuticle. Especially since new pliers are real scalpels. Only remove the very dry, hard part that sticks out. You are not literally going to get rid of the cuticles since they are necessary for the health of your nails and it will remain the softest part, but by removing the peak of hard raised skin, they will no longer be bothersome and do will hurt more.

Vitry stainless steel skin tweezers

Russian manicure: trendy cuticle care

New darling manicure nail addicts, Russian manicure is, as the name suggests, a type of manicure that comes to us from Russia. This manicure, which is actually more of a nail treatment, consists precisely of pushing back the cuticles with the help of sanders of different sizes, to prepare the natural nail for the application of varnish or false nails. As Faïna Khoutova Bustamante, the Russian manicure expert in Paris, explained recently, and in more detail: “The ritual begins with a sublimating manicure: cleaning and filing of nails, softening and nourishing bath. The cuticles are worked, smoothed or cut after being softened in a bath of lukewarm water. Finally, a treating base carefully selected for its harmlessness is applied to the nails. All the tools have been sterilized beforehand ”.
This advanced manicure promises perfectly pushed cuticles to give you a clean, lasting result, and nails that appear longer. A good option for those who don't dare touch their cuticles themselves!

Cuticles: what about the pedicure?

If the cuticles are present on the fingers of the hands, they are also present on the toenails. It is therefore just as important to take care of the cuticles of your feet. The pedicure step is therefore essential to maintain healthy nails and it suffices to follow exactly the same methodology as for the manicure, for the pedicure and for the care of the cuticles of the feet.

Thanks to Faïna Khoutova Bustamante, founder of the Vernissage salon, as well as Agathe Pons, professional manicurist and founder of the Bleu Cocotte salon in Bordeaux.

Read also : – Baby boomer, the new revisited French manicure

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