Cuticle care at home. Everything you need to know about cuticle care

For a beautiful manicure, it is not enough just to maintain the shape of the nails and cover them with varnish. It is necessary to care for a thin strip of skin around the nail - the cuticle. And although it is removed during a manicure, it performs an important function - it protects against penetration and dirt.

How to care for cuticles

For quality cuticle care, it is important to choose good remedy. The modern beauty industry in large quantities produces a variety of products for and in particular for the cuticle. On the shelves of cosmetic stores you can find cuticle softeners, oils, creams, elixirs and many others. useful products. All of them are designed for independent performance of a neat manicure.

In addition to high-quality cuticle products, you need to adhere to some important rules care for this part of the nail:

• Refuse to do the cut version of the manicure on your own. This requires a professional approach so as not to damage the skin around the nail.
• If you have formed burrs, do not pluck or bite them off - inflammation may begin. It is better to cut the skin carefully with nail scissors.
• Use only quality cosmetics and varnishes.
• Wear gloves when doing housework to protect your hands from the harmful effects of household chemicals.
• Lubricating your hands with cream, massage the area near the base of the nail for several minutes.
• Exfoliate your hands occasionally.

How to soften cuticles

In any type of manicure, be it a classic cut or a European one, you need to soften the cuticle. For this purpose, various special tools are used. If you don’t have a professional cuticle softener at hand, then the usual one will come to the rescue. By the way, it is it that is part of almost all softeners.

Castor oil perfectly softens dry skin around the nail plate and is perfectly absorbed without leaving a greasy trace. Castor oil must be applied drop by drop to each nail and rubbed into the base of the nail for several minutes, massaging.

In addition to castor oil, baths can be used to soften the cuticles. For example, a bath with added to it sea ​​salt and will quickly soften the cuticle and have a healing effect on the nails and skin.

How to remove cuticle

After softening the cuticle, it must be removed. When performing a classic manicure, the cuticle is cut off with a special tool. It can be nail scissors, tweezers or a fork.

The softened cuticle must be pushed back to the base of the nail. This is done with a special stick that does not damage the nail. Do not use metal plates to move the cuticle - they damage the nail, making it brittle.

Now cut the cuticle with scissors or tweezers. First, cut off the dead skin from the sides of the nail, and then from the bottom along the arc. Be careful not to injure your skin. After cutting the cuticle, apply a special cream on it and massage it.

In European manicure, the cuticle is not cut off, but removed with a special tool. It is applied to the cuticle area for a few minutes, and then the softened cuticle is removed with an orange stick. At the end, a special cream is applied to the nails and a light massage is done.

The cuticle is an important component of a competent manicure. As a rule, few people really care for her and are interested in information on such care. The presence of burrs, torn cuticles, dirty or exfoliating - the first sign that you are not caring for your nails.

What it is?

The cuticle is a seal in the lower part of the nail, the so-called leathery roller. It is located at a certain distance under the skin, and it is impossible to see it completely. Only the edge of the cuticle is visible, already dried up, and, in fact, dead - it is from it that the burrs begin. In medical language, it is called pterygium and is located directly on the nail. The rest of the cuticle (eponychium) is the tissue part of the matrix that surrounds the nail from the inside.

Why is it needed?

First of all, the cuticle performs protective functions - it does not allow bacteria and various dirt to get under the nail into the growth zone. It is airtight, isolates the nail itself, its bed and matrix from the penetration of air and moisture.

The matrix is ​​the root of the nail, the part where it begins to grow. It is easy to understand that if the matrix is ​​damaged, then this will negatively affect the health of the entire nail. It will begin to peel off, break, and grow more slowly. All this can lead to diseases of the nail and to the fact that the matrix will stop producing the substances necessary for the growth and normal functioning of the bed.

The cuticle is located close to the matrix, it protects it from any troubles and physical or chemical influences.

By the way, the matrix has a continuation on the nail plate in the form of a lunula - the same crescent, which clearly stands out from the rest of the nail and has a more milky color. This part of the matrix is ​​not protected by the cuticle, is more sensitive and consists of living cells, so it also needs to be looked after.

It depends on the matrix whether your nails are long or short, dense or brittle. This is a completely genetic moment, but a little improvement in the condition of the nails and cuticles will help. proper care. If initially your nails were strong, the cuticles were healthy, and then they began to break and burrs appeared, then the problem is inside.

Care

Of course, the nail plate requires special care. But you should never deprive the attention of the cuticle and the nail bed, which is responsible for their normal condition and growth.

Although the nail bed and top part the cuticles are keratinized, they require some care. Yes, the nail can stand the test detergent or vigorous red varnish, but it's better not to risk it. If you're going to be washing dishes, doing housework, or handling chemicals, it's best to wear gloves. The action is light, but will help keep your hands well-groomed.

As for special products, there are many of them - wax, pencil, creams, oils ... All of them are aimed at moisturizing and softening the cuticle, but they act in different ways. The step by step procedure looks like this:

• Nail polish or shellac is carefully removed from the nail using a solvent or special wipes.
• Overgrown cuticle is removed upon request., and by any of their methods, care will still be approximately the same.

• On nail plate one of the selected care products is applied - oil, wax or cream. The oil can be either purchased cosmetic (special mixtures in jars) or pharmacy - pay attention to grape seed oil, jojoba and avocado. They have high moisturizing properties and deeply nourish the cuticle and nail bed. If you need to whiten your nails, look at citrus oils - especially lemon. If you strengthen and accelerate growth - almond and bonfire, an oil solution of vitamin E or A, as well as shea and coconut. Wax has rather polishing and sealing properties, it is effective in the fight against burrs and gives the cuticle elasticity, and the nails themselves - a healthy shine. Its use together with a polishing nail file is effective.

It is desirable to treat the entire surface of the hands with a cream, just massage the fingers in the matrix area a little more carefully.

Periodically, you can use peeling or scrub for nails and hands. It hides peeling, reduces the risk of inflammation and growth of the cuticle. It can be both a peeling roll and a regular one, pay special attention to those peels that contain vitamins and fruit acids, which are responsible for removing only dead skin parts without touching the healthy ones.

How to delete?

There are several ways to remove the cuticle. Each is selected based on your personal preferences, as well as the condition of the cuticle and nail. Remember that it is impossible to permanently remove the cuticle, but careful care and periodic removal procedures will significantly improve its appearance.

• Hardware. The main tool is a grinder that works like a soft polishing file. It acts very gently, does not touch the living cuticle, removes only the keratinized one. Thus, this is the safest and most popular way, although it has its own subtleties. So, for example, you can’t trust your hands to an amateur who can damage both the nail, the protective layer, and the living cuticle. Hardware removal of the cuticle is salon procedure and cannot be carried out at home.

• Edged. The most dangerous and oldest method. The fact is that the cuticle is naturally cut with special devices - nippers, which are called "tweezers", trimmers or scissors, thereby having a rather rough and aggressive effect on the skin around, the matrix and the living part of the cuticle. Moreover, the procedure is thankless - the skin, trying to compensate for the losses, begins to regenerate faster and the cuticle grows rougher and denser, as a result of which it has to be removed more often. In addition, during the procedure, there is a high risk of damaging the nail bed and infecting the growth zone. If you still decide on a trimmed manicure, then remember that the master must first thoroughly steam the skin rollers, moisturize or nourish them with special products, and then treat them with an antiseptic and healing cream.

• Unedged (European). The safest and longest. In principle, it depends on the correct and constant care of the cuticle. You must massage the nails in the growth zone, moisturize and nourish, soften the cuticle with a remover (oil or cream). Next, an orange stick is taken and with it the cuticle is gently shifted to the base of the nail. This should be done already when the remover works and dries - the skin should be completely dry. After that, the hands and especially the cuticle area need to be moistened.

Removal tools

If in the salon a competent master himself is able to choose a cuticle remover, then at home you should buy everything at once. To begin with, it is worth saying that at home it is recommended to use only the European unedged method. It is the most secure.

For it, you will need an orange stick - a tool ranging in size from 9 to 18 centimeters and a width of 3 to 5, having one beveled edge and the other pointed. Sticks are sold in packages and cost from fifty to three hundred rubles. An orange stick is a disposable tool, it absorbs moisture very well, and you need to store it in a clean and dry place.

An additional plus of this tool is that it is suitable for removing dirt under the protruding part of the nail.

As an alternative, you can consider Europumice. This is a soft and smooth ceramic file that does not damage the cuticle and nail. It is also used for its polishing. There are several types of pumice depending on the color. Gray pumice is the most gentle, yellow is hard, and pink is the golden mean between them.

You will also need to purchase a special cuticle remover - a cuticle softener. It is sold as an oil or cream and acts on the cuticle in such a way that it can be easily picked up with an orange stick and separated from the nail plate. Can also be used as a remover Castor oil, and homemade baths with sea salt and essential oils.

Directly for the care of the cuticle after its removal, you will need a good antiseptic without alcohol or a basic fatty oil.

What means to choose?

When choosing cuticle care products, you should focus on your preferences and desires. If you want hydration and nourishment for every day, take a closer look at carrier oils. If you need to polish the nail and smooth out the burrs - go to waxes. A quality cream should be in your care in any case.

Remember that high-quality cuticle removers do not have to be expensive, but don’t be fooled by very low prices - be sure to check the expiration date and composition of the product. A little life hack - read the reviews about the product you want to buy and see its rating. According to advanced readers, you can definitely determine the remedy for yourself.

How to move?

To push back the cuticle, an orange stick or euro pumice is used. They and only they are able to competently and without damage push the cuticle under the skin. No toothpicks or cotton buds are out of the question.

The action itself goes like this:

• A special softening agent is applied to the cuticle - a remover. It can be a liquid, solution, gel, oil or something else - it depends on the manufacturer.
• Next, you need to wait for it to dry completely. When your hands are completely dry, grab an orange stick or euro pumice and, moving from the tip of the nail, pry the cuticle with shearing movements. It should come off the nail without pain and move away with a solid roller.
• After that, treat your nails with an antiseptic and apply a moisturizer or a product that can slow down the growth of the cuticle.

How to soften?

A cuticle remover is traditionally used to soften the cuticle. This is a special softener or cuticle remover - a keratolytic that does not affect the living part of the cuticle, but actively works with the dead one. Keratolytics break down keratin, the protein that makes up nails, and can therefore soften the cuticle.

Part professional tools for softening, fruit acids or an artificial form of urea - ammonia and carbon dioxide may be included.

Removers not only soften the cuticle and contribute to its competent removal, but also have moisturizing, antiseptic and healing properties.

Removers are available in the form of oil mixtures, liquids, gels, creams. However, it is also possible to soften the cuticles with regular base oil or with special polyurethane baths.

How to clean at home?

The procedure for removing the cuticle at home should be performed according to all the rules of hygiene. That is why it is recommended to use the unedged method - so the likelihood of infection is the smallest. Properly selected materials - a remover and an orange stick - are exactly half the success when removing the cuticle. In the case of a European manicure, the actions are performed in the following sequence:

• The cuticle and the area around it are disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine.
• A remover is applied to the cuticle, aged for several minutes according to the instructions until completely absorbed.
• With an orange stick, the cuticle is gently shifted, and nourishing oil or cream is applied to the nail.

Why is he wiggling?

The cuticle can grow "burrs" for several reasons. The first and most common is the lack of moisture and nutrients. In this state, the cuticle begins to dry, grow, and it needs to be either thoroughly moisturized with oils and creams or removed.

By the way, about the removal. An incorrectly performed cuticle removal procedure can lead to its rapid overgrowth due to the body's need to recover faster. Most often, this is the edging method.

Also, sometimes the cuticle is frizzy, because the skin of the hands itself is dry - she has such a type, and the cuticle is rough and hard. In this case, you need to thoroughly rethink your hand and nail care and purchase more nutrients. In case of removal, it is better to contact the master unedged manicure or hardware according to the European method. This is a rather superficial way, but it will definitely save you from “fringe” and burrs.

Inflammation and treatment

If the cuticle is cut incorrectly, it can become inflamed.

First of all, you need to identify the causes of inflammation. It can be caused by improper care, infections, physical damage, the use of aggressive household chemicals, the use of low-quality nail polishes, improper manicure procedures, improper processing, poor hygiene, hypovitaminosis - and this is only part of the most common and most common causes. There is also a complication after hormonal diseases. Remember that nails are indicators of changes taking place in the body, and sometimes seemingly normal redness or flaking can be the beginning of some serious illness.

Symptoms of cuticle disease are as follows - thickening of the nail, the appearance of grooves or notches on the nail bed itself, increased fragility. Also, the nails exfoliate due to damage to the cuticle.

Special attention should be paid to inflammation. This is indeed a common phenomenon caused by improper circumcision or care. The most common fungal and infectious diseases, manifested by inflammation and peeling in the cuticle area. It can swell, turn red, burrs can begin to cause significant discomfort and begin to peel off. If you do not take up treatment in time, such an unpleasant moment as a purulent abscess may appear. There will be itching and pain. In this case, treatment at home is also possible, but if you are not sure of yourself, contact a specialist in a salon or hospital.

Neat and beautiful manicure will always be in fashion. To keep it that way for a long time, you need to regularly care for the cuticle. First of all, this will help to avoid the occurrence of burrs and infection. How to tidy up the cuticle, properly remove burrs and prevent their appearance, the site told graduate brand MAVALA Anna Radina and INM chief expert in Russia Irina Rokhmistrova.

Why do burrs appear

The nail is made up of a plate, a socket, and a cuticle, which is a layer of skin that forms the edge of the nail and the socket. In the process of growth, in the absence of proper care, the cuticle becomes drier near the hole and sometimes breaks, sometimes even in several places. This is where burrs form. The formation of burrs is affected by a lack of vitamins in the body, insufficient hand care, overdrying of the skin when interacting with cleaning products, as well as an illiterate trimmed manicure.

How to remove burrs

Burrs must be removed without fail to avoid infection and inflammation. In no case do not pick or bite off, but carry out the procedure as follows:

Pre-steam the skin in a warm bath. Keep your hands in the water for no more than fifteen minutes.

Then, using special manicure tweezers, carefully trim the burrs. The movements should be smooth, in no case pulling or tearing, otherwise you may injure this area of ​​​​the skin.

How to care for cuticles

Cuticle care at home

To avoid the appearance of burrs, you need to regularly care for the cuticle at home, using products that nourish and moisturize, as well as strengthen and improve the structure of the nail plate. In addition, it is necessary to periodically do the right manicure.

To take care of the cuticle will help:

Cuticle oil. Usually this is either one oil, for example, apricot, or a whole cocktail of oils in one bottle. They contribute to deep hydration and nourishment of the skin around the nail.

Scrubs and removers for nails. They contain abrasives or acids that easily remove dead skin around the nail and slow down the rate of cuticle growth.

Care Pencils. Suitable for express care. The composition of the pencils does not need to be rubbed in, it does not leave greasy marks, gives the skin a glossy sheen, visually making the cuticle smooth. From the outside, it looks like you just got a trimmed manicure.

How to care for cuticles

Nourishing cuticle cream. Moisturizing plant components in its composition do not allow the skin to dry out, strengthen nails. It is better to apply the cream in very small portions - literally a drop on the tip of your finger. Use before going to bed, preferably after that put on cotton gloves.

Masks for nails and cuticles. Masks with kaolin and allantoin, the content of diatoms and mallow are the ideal spa treatment for nails and cuticles. These components prevent skin roughness, stimulate nail growth, strengthen them, and soften the cuticle. It is worth doing masks twice a week. Pre-treat your hands with a scrub, apply a mask and put on cotton gloves. Remove them after 30 minutes, but do not wash off the mask.

Your helpers:

How to care for cuticles

1. Apricot cuticle oil Apricot cuticle oil, essie,
2. Cuticle remover Cuticle Away, Esteemia,
3. Cream for softening cuticles studio nails moisturizing cuticle cream, essence,
4. Cuticle moisturizing balm Cuticle Balm Kiss
5. Complete cuticle treatment avon,
6. Cream with a cellular complex for intensive cuticle repair Cellular Intensive Cuticle Recovery Cream, June Jacobs,
7. Cuticle oil mavala,
8. Oil for nail and cuticle care Solar Oil, CND,
9. Softening cuticle care balm The ONE, Oriflame.

How to slow down cuticle growth

In order for burrs not to form, it is necessary to slow down the growth of the cuticle. This is facilitated by two types of manicure - edged and dry European.

Unedged European dry manicure

During the ritual, the cuticle is not cut, but treated with an emollient, which also cleanses and disinfects the skin. Usually, formulations with fruit acids, oils and plant extracts in the form of creams, lotions or oils are used for these purposes.

Apply the composition to the cuticle area and let it soak for 5 minutes, then with a stick from orange tree start to slowly move the cuticle to the periungual ridges. If you are afraid to damage the matrix (soft nail) and injure the nail plate, your faithful assistant in home manicure will be plastic stick for a cuticle with a rubber tip.

Burrs, inflammation and dry skin around the nails - we are tired of all this! We quickly choose the most effective remedy for cuticle and nail care.

The cuticle has a colossal important function - it does not foreign bodies and bacteria to penetrate to the growth zone in the region of the nail hole, on the edge of the nail fold. This dead cells skin that flakes off and leads to nasty burrs if the skin gets too dry. And in a nervous state, we pull out the burrs and mercilessly cut off (and sometimes tear out!) The cuticle with nail clippers that come to hand. If these troubles happen to you, and it is impossible to wean yourself or at least start to control your actions, we suggest stocking up on quick response tools that will allow you to effectively care for your hands and nails.

A few rules that must be observed during care procedures:

• Refuse to use nail scissors - this item is only for dense surfaces such as nails. Cuticle is a real sissy, she will not be able to endure such treatment. If there is a need to remove burrs, then for this we select tweezers, after wiping them and the finger with an antiseptic. The circumcision process is very delicate, during which it is impossible to damage living tissues.
• If the zone of the nail hole has inflammation or redness, until it comes down, you can’t conjure over the cuticle. Orange oil and tea tree oil will help to quickly heal the wound.
• The frequency of use of nail oil is at least once a week. It is important not just to run a cotton swab with oil on the nails, but to rub it into the cuticle.
• Most effective method cuticle correction - using an orange tree stick.
• Cuticle care starts with hand care. The ideal state of affairs is to use hand cream every time after contact with water.
• When choosing between a trimmed manicure and an unedged one, one day you need to choose an unedged manicure once and for all. Only the first one or two unedged procedures subjectively seem to be ineffective. You can help yourself rebuild in a new way by regularly using a moisturizer, which not only takes care of the skin, but first of all (in a specific situation) makes the hands visually more well-groomed.
• If you really want to cut the cuticle, remember that the more you cut it, the faster it grows.

Organic Cuticle Care "Soothing Shea Butter" by Badger Company

If you see a metal “pill” with a badger painted on it in a cosmetics store, grab it without hesitation! Badger has been very successful in coming up with a compact product that you can always carry with you and thanks to which you can return your nails to a decent look in a matter of seconds.

Cuticle Cream (Hand Cream) "Lemon Sensation" by Lush

For those who love a waxy texture, Lush's Lemon Sensation is a godsend. It contains a mixture of flaxseed, castor, soybean and avocado oils. By the way, it can also be used to soften the feet, knees and elbows - we love multifunctional products!

Gift manicure set "Almond" from The Body Shop

Let's say right away that The Body Shop set is part of the collection of New Year's novelties and is available for sale only during the holiday season. Inside a super stylish metal box, Almond hand and nail cream, a nail polishing block, a nail file and tweezers. There are two more options for the set - "Absinthe" and "Hemp Oil". This set is beautiful to disgrace, so you only want to give it to yourself!

Cream for softening and removing cuticles A.H.A. Cuticle Eraser by CND

The Cuticle Eraser by CND is a very popular product, so if you haven't checked it out yet, now is the time. The cream perfectly moisturizes and softens the cuticle, so it is easy and time to process it with an orange stick or a metal pusher. This cream can be safely called the first step on the way to unedged manicure.

Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil by Essie

Essie oil is designed not only to moisturize, but also to use it in the process of removing the cuticle - it softens it very well. The key component in the composition is apricot oil with a delicate aroma. As practice shows, the oil remains at the nail plate after 3-4 contacts with water (not to mention the long process of washing dishes or taking a bath), with no smear marks!

Cuticle oil Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Crème from Burt's Bees

The top-end product from Burt's Bees, which flies off the shelves like hot cakes. Of course, a spectacular metal jar with vintage lemon does a lot, but the product itself boasts excellent results. Wax oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin well, relieves irritation and has a light lemon scent.

Jason Tea Tree Nail & Cuticle Care

The product from Jason has a lot of advantages: firstly, an antiseptic effect, secondly, softening the cuticle and skin around the nail, thirdly, the caring component - vitamins, oils (sesame, tea tree leaves, safflower, sunflower seeds) and moisturizing components (vitamins E and A, allantoin and aloe vera). And finally, fourthly, this product is suitable for treating abrasions and cuts. True, it is not so easy to purchase it: Jason is only available in online stores, but the tool is worth it to find it.

Many people think that the cuticle is an annoying and unnecessary fold of skin around the nail. But that's not the case at all! The cuticle is the natural defense of the new keratin cells that make up the nails. It covers the soft layer of the "young" nail, which is not yet strong. If you cut this protection incorrectly, you can not only ruin your nails, but even lose them!

The cuticle is either living or non-living. The first fits snugly to the surface of the nail at its base and serves to protect it. She needs constant care and additional support and nutrition from outside. The second is the “worked out” cuticle. This is what needs to be removed regularly.

For home care behind the protector of nails in the "arsenal" of each lady should be:

Oil in a pencil tube

mild antiseptic

forceps and spatula to remove dead skin,

· nailfile.

How to properly remove the cuticle

There are several ways to remove the cuticle. Each of them is good in its own way, but you cannot blindly use the method that suits your mother, sister or girlfriend. You need to choose your own, the only way to remove the cuticle, by trial method and in accordance with your skin type and nail characteristics.

Hardware way

During this procedure, the dead layer of keratinized cuticle cells is polished with a special machine. The removal of old cells occurs gently, while the living cuticle is not damaged and the damage to the nail plate is minimized. But if the procedure is carried out by an amateur, then there is a high risk of damage to both the protective layer of the skin and the base of the nail. You can trust your hands only to a qualified specialist.

Trimming method

This method is the oldest and most proven, but also the most dangerous. During the procedure, you can easily damage or infect both the skin and the nail plate. Circumcision is aggressive and the new skin that grows at the cut is usually thicker and rougher, it often cracks and grows much faster. To prevent such consequences, before the procedure, it is necessary to steam the cuticle well and process by special means- moisturizing creams or oils, and after circumcision - an antiseptic and nourishing cream for the cuticle.

Unedged method

In order to use this method of removing the cuticle, you need to regularly care for it, massage it using softening oils and creams. During the procedure, the cuticle, steamed and softened with the help of a special remover, is gently moved with an orange stick to the base of the nail. This can be done only when the skin of the hands is absolutely dry. After manipulations, a moisturizing nourishing agent corresponding to the type of hand skin is necessarily applied to the cuticle.