How to get rid of cuticles forever: a unique natural complex

We are opening a new section - advice from a Secret Beauty Expert. In the first article we will analyze everything about the cuticle: how to cut it, process it and care for it. And I will tell you what is really important in 2020-2021.

Artists, poets and ordinary men have always admired sleek ladies' hands. An important element of graceful hands is well-groomed nails, in the design of which the cuticle, by the way, plays an important role. It can be called the “gray eminence” of a successful image, which is not visible, but the general appearance of the hands and the impression of their well-groomedness depends on how it is processed. For example, I like my nails without polish, but only if they are well-groomed. And, on the contrary, a very beautiful decorative coating, in my opinion, looks sloppy and vulgar if the fingers are not processed.

Remember the stunning image of the first lady from the series “House of Cards”. She is played by the gorgeous Robin Wright, and there are no small details in the image created by the actress. Perfectly manicured nails are one of those details that create the image of an impeccable woman.

Regardless of what methods of care you prefer, in my opinion, you must in any case be able to do all the procedures yourself. This helps you save time, money, always be in great shape and feel confident.

Do I need to remove the cuticle?

The outer part of the cuticle is made up of dead epithelial cells, so over time it becomes rougher, dries out, and may crack. Moreover, in some people, due to individual characteristics, it begins to “crawl” onto the nail plate, firmly attaching to it. As a result, tension is created, and the thin skin cracks, forming small wounds and burrs.

The problem lies not only in aesthetics:

cracks can be very painful;
burrs cling, causing discomfort;
Contaminants and bacteria can enter wounds, causing inflammation.

In addition, an unkempt, overgrown cuticle spoils the appearance, causes a lot of discomfort and is frankly harmful to health. So, I am sure that it is advisable to remove it in a timely manner. There are several methods, which are divided into two types: edged (classical) and unedged (European) manicure.

Using a special cuticle file

More recently, special cuticle files have appeared on sale. Using them at home is easy and convenient. This procedure is even simpler than using a remover and pusher.

Holding the file parallel to the skin, treat the area of the cuticle and side ridges. There is no need to apply pressure - movements should be light and gentle so as not to damage the living tissue and surface of the nails. Treat all nails in the same way.
The manicure is almost complete. All that remains is to wash your hands under running water and apply special oil to the cuticle area.

As you can see, this method is really extremely simple. You can see the smart nail file in action in the following video.

Pros and cons of cuticle files

There's no denying the effectiveness and ease of use of this new manicure tool. Once you purchase this item, you will discover a number of its advantages.

No pre-steaming of the skin is required.
The time spent on manicure is significantly reduced.
There is no need to use aggressive chemicals, that is, remover.

However, not all experts agree with the correctness of using this new product among manicure tools for two reasons.

In the absence of experience and certain dexterity, there is always the possibility of damage to the skin of the side ridges and living cuticle tissue.
Cheap nail files will not give good results. Poor quality coating can only increase the risk of injury to soft tissues and the nail plate. In turn, high-quality nail files from trusted companies are quite expensive.

If you can afford to purchase a quality item and have some skill in performing manicures, then this tool can become your faithful assistant. If you have no experience, it is still better to opt for the option with a remover.

To cut or not to cut: methods for removing cuticles

We are lucky: craftsmen now have great opportunities. The variety of materials and technologies allows you to create real works of manicure art.

Today it is possible to choose a smooth local varnish color or a jacket, interesting color transitions, geometric shapes, a combination of different textures, decorative elements, inlays... But the basis of all this splendor is always the filigree treatment of nails, giving them the desired shape and, of course, removing the cuticle.

Home cuticle removal tools

The salons have a large selection of devices and special devices at their disposal. But it is not always possible to get to a specialist.

I am convinced that any woman should be able to make her hands look decent on her own, even if she doesn’t have time to visit a salon. It’s not that difficult, the main thing is to study the theory well, acquire the necessary equipment and follow strict hygiene rules. Learn this simple skill and you will always look well-groomed.

At home the following will be useful for cuticles:

metal tweezers;
metal scissors with curved blades;
a file coated with pumice or a metal file, which can be used to sand the cuticle “dry”;
orange wood stick.

You will also need:

bath with warm water;
steaming agent;
disinfectant;
cotton pads;
lotion or milk;
cuticle cream or oil;
for European manicure - remover.

Interesting!
Orange tree wood has disinfectant properties. It is recommended to use a new stick each time, but if you use them only for yourself, repeated use with appropriate processing is acceptable. I sharpen them with a sanding file, the sharp edge of the sticks carefully separates the attached skin.

How to remove cuticle correctly. Top tips from me:

Follow the rules of disinfection, otherwise you will introduce an infection with all the ensuing troubles.
Use only sharp tools, otherwise they will not cut cleanly and evenly, but tear the skin.
Do not pull or yank the skin when trimming.
Grab small pieces, don't cut deep right away.
When using preparations for unedged manicure, strictly observe the holding time so as not to damage the skin.
Do not use remover gels more than 2 times a week.
In between manicure sessions, use special oils. This allows you to keep your cuticles in order and helps strengthen your nails.

Homemade recipe!
Since ancient times, beauties have cared for their nails with oils. I prefer coconut oil. If desired, add 1-2 drops of ylang-ylang and lemon essential oils to 1 teaspoon of oil. I keep the medicine in a closed jar and rub it into my skin and nails every day when I take a break from the coating. The nails become strong and acquire a bright shine. Sweet almond, peach, and jojoba oils are also useful. They can be purchased at the pharmacy.

How to cut correctly

To remove cuticles with trimming, also called a classic trimming manicure, you will need:

sharp nail scissors (they can have smooth or rounded edges) or wire cutters;
a stick for pushing back the cuticle (preferably orange) or a spatula with a silicone nozzle;
a fork used to remove the skin from the sides of the nail.

Proper preparation of instruments

The instrument must be of high quality, made of special medical steel. It’s good if you have the opportunity to purchase self-sharpening manicure tools. They are easy to use and will last quite a long time. The same cannot be said about cheap scissors from unknown manufacturers. Not only are they inconvenient, but they can also be dangerous. You can find out whether shellac spoils your nails here.

With dull scissors it is difficult to cut off the thin skin that fits tightly to the nail. They move and create grooves.

Regardless of the manufacturer, all instruments must be disinfected before each use. This is done even if no one except you uses cutting objects. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are suitable for these purposes.

Video: How to trim at home

On video how to remove cuticles with trimming:

Classic manicure method

Instructions on how to properly process and trim cuticles. Let's do everything step by step:

Lubricate the prepared fingers with vegetable oil (if you have a special cosmetic oil, take it).
Using an orange wood stick, push the skin towards the base of the nail plate. Do not use metal objects without soft tips. They injure the nail growth area.
Use a fork to remove the skin from the sides of the nail.
Use scissors to trim off excess skin around the nail. The blade must be placed under the peeled back skin and pressed tightly against the nail plate. You need to move in an arc. Instead of scissors, you can use professional cuticle nippers.
Remove hangnails and small protrusions of the cuticle with tweezers. The skin is captured little by little. Otherwise, you may injure your finger.
Disinfect the nail plate and cuticle with hydrogen peroxide.
Apply softening cream or other hand product using massage movements.

Trim manicure

This method is considered classic, which is what it is usually called. It consists in cutting the cuticle with special tweezers or scissors.

Don't forget that, like all procedures that involve breaking the integrity of the skin, manicures carry the risk of infections, some of which can be serious. At home, when we use tools only for ourselves, the risk is lower, but by no means zero, because germs and dirt can accumulate on the blades. That's why you should diligently disinfect them, and if you go to a salon, choose a professional who knows how to remove cuticles safely, whom you can trust and know that all devices will be properly sterilized.

If you don’t want to work on your hands at home, a master in the salon can also do a hardware-edged manicure using a machine and cutters. It is safer than the classic one and also saves time.

Sometimes these methods are combined by processing the rollers with a milling cutter and then with scissors or nippers. The combined manicure turns out to be especially neat.

How to remove cuticles with scissors

Manicure scissors are a convenient device for removing cuticles. Their curved blades follow the shape of the nail hole. Some women use razor blades. In my opinion, this is terrible, because it can hurt delicate skin.

How to remove cuticle step by step:

Disinfect your tools. The technician at the salon uses an autoclave, but at home, wipe them with a strong alcohol solution.
Steam your skin. For this, a warm bath with the addition of special compounds will be useful; or add baking soda at the rate of 1 teaspoon per liter of warm water.
Dry your fingertips with a clean napkin.
Now it's time to slightly lift and separate the cuticle while pushing it back. Use a stick for this. Carefully slide the roller off the nail.
When the skin is lifted, it is easy to cut off. Start from the sides and end in the middle.
If wounds accidentally appear during the process, treat them with hydrogen peroxide.
Finally, apply cream or oil and massage lightly.

Removing cuticles with cuticle nippers

You can also use special nippers. The first steps in the instructions are the same as for removing with scissors: you need to disinfect the tool and steam your hands with a warm bath, then separate and lift the skin above the nail.

How to use the cutters:

Place the lower blade under the skin roll.
Pressing gently, “bite off” pieces of the skin, trying to cut off only its keratinized areas.
If there are areas that don’t give in, don’t be too zealous, just move them away. This way you will avoid injury.
Treat the nail holes with cream or oil.

How to remove cuticles at home

During the procedure, you must be careful, as you can dry out the skin or cause an infection. The first time you won’t get a straight line, but over time the effect will be the same as after a master’s work in a salon. The cuticle is not removed when a thin strip appears, because due to frequent removal, a build-up of keratinized cells may occur.

When conducting a session yourself, you need to monitor the quality of the manicure, cutting the skin evenly. If part of it remains on the plate, then when it dries it will turn into a burr. During treatment, only dead cells need to be removed. If a healthy area is touched, pain and damage will occur, after which it is not recommended to paint your nails. Before the procedure begins, the cuticle is softened. To do this, you will need warm water and sea salt, soda, liquid soap or other additional ingredient.

For baths, you can take essential oils that make the skin soft. The choice of product depends on individual preferences. A base made from tea tree, ylang-ylang, lemon or apricot oil is suitable for steaming. Pour 1 tbsp into a small container. l. essential liquid and a small amount of water. After 5-20 minutes, the cuticle will steam.

In addition, you can use edible oil in combination with medicinal herbs. To prepare the mixture 2 tbsp. l. pour boiling water over calendula and chamomile, wait until the broth cools a little, add 2-4 tbsp. l. olive oil and keep your fingers in the bath for a quarter of an hour. When such components are not available, liquid soap will do.

For 1 glass of warm liquid you need 1 tsp. facilities. To improve skin condition, add 1 tbsp. l. sea salt. The duration of the procedure is 5-10 minutes. When using oil, immerse the entire brush in water. These actions will moisturize the skin. To avoid negative consequences, you need to know how to remove cuticles at home.

European style

Unedged manicure is called European. It is especially good for processing the cuticle at home, because not everyone can skillfully cut it (especially on the working hand), and the European version does not carry any risks of cutting yourself. In this case, there are two ways to remove the cuticle - mechanical or chemical.

How to remove cuticles with an orange stick

If the skin of the nail is thin and delicate, sometimes it is enough to steam it and move it with a stick, then rub in the cream. If you do this regularly, it stops growing. This is an absolutely safe method that does not carry the risk of infections, but it is not suitable for everyone. Try it, maybe this is your option. I consider this method to be the simplest, gentlest and most convenient, and I use it most often, but I also can’t do without tweezers: they will come in handy for removing burrs.

How to remove cuticles without cutting: gel remover

The chemical method is associated with the use of removers. This method is called drug method. Cuticle remover gel may contain alkalis or acids. Both dissolve the skin. Depending on the concentration of the active substance, the duration of action ranges from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. After the remover has taken effect, it is washed off with a napkin, and the remains of the roller are moved with a wooden stick.

Important!
Short-lasting removers are intended for use by professionals, because they are very concentrated and can act aggressively. For use at home, I recommend choosing drugs that work more slowly, this way you will avoid possible burns.

Advantages of European manicure:

no complex expensive devices are required;
there is no risk of injury;
there is no risk of infections;
the procedure itself is simple and does not require filigree precision and experience;
It’s easy to do it yourself, even with a working hand.

We don't steam! Dry manicure

To treat the cuticle, it is not necessary to steam it. To perform dry manicure, there are preparations based on alpha hydroxyl acids (they are also called fruit acids). The drug is applied for 2–3 minutes. During this time, he manages to soften the skin, and if it is thin, then completely dissolve it. Residues are removed with an orange stick, after which the product should be thoroughly rinsed or removed with a cotton pad soaked in milk or lotion.

How and with what to remove

Of course, the easiest way is to go to a salon for professional help.
The master will be able to efficiently remove the cuticle and give a beautiful shape to the nails.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to afford such visits. That is why it is necessary to study information about performing the cuticle removal procedure yourself.

Tools

The trimmed type of manicure will also require the use of special devices.

There can be no categorical recommendations here, because the convenience of using one or another method depends solely on individual preferences.

What tool can you use to cut the cuticle?

Scissors with thin sharp edges . Usually they are included in every manicure set. This is the “classic” way to remove cuticles. For ease of use, the scissors have a rounded edge.
Cuticle nippers . It is also a necessary tool, less traumatic and safe. When choosing wire cutters, you must carefully inspect the blades for defects and possible malfunctions in the operation of the clutch mechanism.
Special trimmer for cuticles . This handy tool is equipped with miniature fixed blades arranged in a V shape. It makes it very easy to remove cuticles without affecting the excess.

We have compiled a rating of professional cuticle nippers for you, it is here.

You also need to have an emollient cream or cuticle oil in your arsenal. They provide proper care and recovery after such manipulations.

On video: how to remove cuticles at home

Classic method

Cuticle removal can be done in the classic way. To do this you will need any of the above tools.

Before carrying out the procedure, it is advisable to steam the skin of your hands well, but many girls prefer to work dry. This is a matter of taste, but if the cuticle is extremely rough and overgrown, it is impossible to do without preliminary softening.

Execution algorithm:

Steam your hands in a bath with sea salt or herbal infusions.
Wipe dry with a towel.
Using wooden manicure sticks, push a thin layer of skin away from the plate towards the nail bed.
Trim the cuticles on the sides.
Remove the layer of skin near the nail bed in an arc.
Moisten the treated area with oil or cream.

It is advisable not to make sudden movements or grab the skin too much. Here it is better to retreat more than to accidentally injure the skin.

No tools

European manicure is performed exactly according to this scheme.

The main difference is absolute safety, because no cutting tool is used during the work.

This method is extremely popular in European countries, as it is hygienic. To perform this you will need a special gel – remover, which softens and dissolves the skin.

Algorithm of actions:

Apply the product according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Maintain the required time (usually 5 – 7 minutes).
Use a wooden manicure stick to carefully remove the skin around the perimeter of the nail.

The procedure is simple and painless.

In addition, it can be repeated as needed up to three times a week.

Be sure to moisturize the treated area with oil or cream to provide the skin with the necessary care.

Find out which is the best cuticle remover gel.

Hardware manicure

Home manicure devices are not yet widespread, so this method remains practically unclaimed. At the same time, with the proper skill, such a device can completely replace the services of a master. A variety of attachments will allow you to perform all the necessary stages of creating a manicure efficiently and carefully.

To process cuticles, you will need a hard conical nozzle, which needs to go around the perimeter of the nail in one direction and the other. There is no need to press hard, and “finishing” processing can be done using a ball-shaped nozzle. Polishing of the nail plate is done with the softest one, which is presented in the set. With the proper skill, such cuticle removal will take incomparably less time. At the end of processing, you can use oil. Which cuticle oil is good and which scent is better, you will have to choose on your own, based on your skin type and your own preferences.

Video shows cuticle removal using hardware

Reasons for bubbling nail polish are here.

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Important rules for caring for cuticles

Cuticle care takes a little time, and I am sure that any woman can treat it beautifully on her own. Follow simple rules:

Don't let the handles get dirty, take care of them regularly, and complex manipulations won't be required.
Apply caring oil daily.
Do not pull or tear the burrs. I always carry tweezers and a small bottle of alcohol solution in my cosmetic bag to remove a hangnail as soon as it appears, and I advise you to do the same.
Do not neglect the rules of disinfection!
It's always better to underdo it. Do not apply excessive force or cut deep.

The choice of manicure type depends on personal preferences. I like the skin to be completely cut off, but when processing at home I prefer to just peel it off. Which option do you prefer? Do you agree that all the beauty of a manicure rests on a neat cuticle?