How to care for cuticles at home

The cuticle performs a protective function, it is located at the base of the nail, thereby preventing the penetration of bacteria and foreign bodies under the plate. The skin in this area must be removed, otherwise the hands lose their aesthetic appearance, and the manicure looks messy. In addition to the edged technique, there is a European technique, which is more gentle. Consider the important aspects of caring for cuticles, and also learn how to deal with burrs.

Cuticle softening

Proper care of the cuticle includes cutting it. Otherwise, the skin "cuts" into the plate of the nail, as a result of which further removal becomes an extremely difficult process.

Before starting processing, the epidermis must be steamed. For these purposes, there are baths that are prepared on the basis of medicinal plants.

1. Natural oils. Combine corn, vegetable and sea buckthorn oils. Put the composition in the microwave, heat to an acceptable temperature. Place your fingertips in the bath, hold for a quarter of an hour.
2. Citrus fruit. Grind in a convenient way a third of an orange, a quarter of grapefruit and a third of a lemon with a peel. Pour in 40 ml. vegetable oil, add 10 gr. ground cinnamon. Stir in a blender, lower the fingers into the composition for 10-20 minutes. At the end of the manipulation, remove excess with napkins.
3. Medicinal herbs. Add boiling water 20 gr. calendula officinalis, 35 gr. chamomile, 30 gr. lemon balm or mint. Brew the infusion for about half an hour, then heat the solution and make a bath. The exposure time is 20 minutes.
4. Soda. Dilute 100 gr. soda in 1 liter of hot water, drip 10 ml. any ether (esters). Perform the procedure for 10 minutes.
5. Iodine and beer. Heat 500 ml in a convenient way. beer, add 5 drops of iodine solution and 40 gr. food salt. Wait until the crystals dissolve, do a bath for a quarter of an hour.

After steaming, wipe your fingers with a paper towel. To soften the cuticle as much as possible before circumcision, rub liquid Vitamin E, which is sold in a pharmacy (ampoules), into the nails and the area around them. After that, wait half an hour, lubricate the brush with a moisturizer.

Classic manicure

The method is considered a classic of the genre, manicure forceps or scissors with thin edges are used to remove the cuticle. If this is your first time performing the procedure, be careful. If your hands are set incorrectly, you can injure your skin and contribute to the appearance of burrs.

Important!
It is worth remembering forever that cutting the cuticle is the removal of the stratum corneum of the skin, and not of living matter. Do not neglect the stage of softening, then the procedure will be comfortable and quick.

To perform a classic (trimmed) manicure, you will need a cuticle stylus, manicure scissors or tweezers, vitamin A (ampoules).

1. Sterilize objects in advance, put them in front of you on a paper napkin. Disinfect hands, in particular fingers.
2. To keep the skin soft throughout the procedure, lubricate it with any natural oil or use a special liquid.
3. Take an orange stick or stylus, move the cuticle up to the base of the plate. You must see the dead layers in order to subsequently remove them.
4. Take the little finger with your free hand, click on it to extend the cuticle. Remove the skin with forceps on both sides of the nail, move from the edges to the middle (the upper point of the base of the nail). In no case do not remove the cuticle in one direction, move carefully from different sides.
5. Next, process each finger, cutting the cuticle. Remove the burrs, carefully cut the edge to prevent new formations.
6. Soak a cosmetic swab in chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide, wipe the skin around the nail. Rub vitamin A into the cuticle; do not wash your hands until completely absorbed.

European manicure

Unlike edged manicure, European technology is more modern and safe.
For the procedure, you need to lay out on a paper towel a pre-sterilized cuticle stylus, vitamin E, a cosmetic gel for removing cuticles, cotton buds, a composition to slow down the growth of skin around the base of the plate.

1. Disinfect hands, file nails, giving them the necessary shape. Using the stylus, move the cuticle to the base of the nail plate.
2. Shake the bottle with cuticle remover, squeeze the product onto a cotton swab and evenly cover the keratinized skin. Do not hurt healthy areas, otherwise they will also “melt”.
3. Examine the back of the tube, the manufacturer indicates the interval that must be maintained. For European and American brands, it ranges from 10 to 15 minutes.
4. After the expiration of the period it is necessary to remove the softener along with the cuticle. For these purposes, use a dry cotton swab. Run it on the right and left sides of the nail, moving the skin to the middle. After that, wipe your finger with a cosmetic swab, erasing the porridge mixture that was obtained by mixing the cuticle with a remover.
5. In cases where the dead cells are not completely vaporized, clean them with an orange stick and a cotton pad moistened with olive oil.
6. When the procedure has come to an end, rinse your hands, wipe your fingers with a cotton towel, rub vitamin A into the nails and the skin around them. Wait for the composition to absorb, apply a composition that slows down growth on the cuticle.

Deburring

1. If neoplasms do not cause much trouble, soothe the skin with natural oil. Dampen a cotton pad in it, attach to a damaged place, fix with adhesive plaster. Wait 10-20 minutes, then lubricate the skin with baby cream.
2. When cutting off burrs, remove your hand only after you are sure that the skin will not stretch. For large formations, scissors are suitable, for small ones - tongs. At the end of the action, always wipe the cuticle with hydrogen peroxide.
3. In cases when, as a result of poor care, the burrs turn into an abscess, they need to be treated with more effective methods. Use regenerating ointments, such as Diperzolone, Panthenol, Oxycort, Geocorton, Dermozolone. In the instructions you will find manufacturer's recommendations that should be followed.

Practical tips

1. To keep the cuticle in a diligent state, purchase vitamins in ampoules (group A, E). Rub them every day several times.
2. In winter and summer, use hand protection in the form of creams. In cold weather, nutritious (anti-frost) formulations are suitable, in warm times it is worth giving preference to moisturizing hydrogels. The product is applied half an hour before going outside.
3. Due to dehydration, the skin dries out greatly, this also applies to the cuticle. Drink about 2.5-3 liters of fluid per day, focus on clean water and natural juices.
4. Before proceeding to washing dishes or other housework involving prolonged contact with water, follow a proven pattern. Pour the baby talcum powder with camomile into gloves, shake them and put on hands.
5. Do the manicure correctly, do not neglect steaming, do not be lazy to prepare baths. The advice is especially relevant if you are using a trimmer. Take the habit of using tongs and scissors, do not choose one thing.
6. Periodically pamper the pens with a decoction of herbs. You can use any plants of your choice.Brew them, lower your hands and hold for 20 minutes.
7. If the cosmetic tool “cuticle remover” is misleading, read reviews about it. In most cases, approval is found for the Smart Enamel series, which is sold in pharmacies. The composition must be applied in a thick layer, otherwise the effect will be uneven.

It is recommended to remove the cuticle at least 1 time in 7-14 days. In no case do not allow it to grow on the nail cavity, otherwise you will have to contact the master to remove the defects. Take the habit of constantly having emollients for your skin. Lubricate your fingers with them as soon as you notice that the cuticle is very dry. The advice is relevant in both winter and summer.

Video: how to make the cuticle not grow