BEAUTY
7 Cuticle Care Tips For Healthier Nails (Longer-Lasting Manicures!)
By KRYSTLE VERMES
Wait Until Skin Has Softened
The purpose of the cuticle is to protect against infection by bonding the skin to the nail plate, so however you choose to maintain them, it’s important to take precautions.
Before you start any cuticle maintenance, make sure to soften the skin first. You can do so by taking a hot shower or using cuticle remover or lotion.
Moisturize With Cuticle Oil
Adding cuticle oil to your hand-washing routine can help prevent everything from hangnails to dry cuticles. Apply a few drops and massage them into the cuticles for one minute.
Use Proper Cuticle Tools
There are several types of cuticle pushers out there, but we suggest a double-ended one with a curved end for pushing and a pointed end for clean-up around and under your nails.
Once you push back your cuticles, use cuticle clippers (or nippers) to clip away excess skin or hangnails.
Protect Hands With Fitted Gloves
Wear gloves when submerging your hands in water or using cleaning products. Find a pair of gloves that fit snugly and clean them with soap and water after every use.
Sanitize Your Tools
While cleaning nail care tools is not a quick process, doing so can reduce the chances of developing an infection from using contaminated items, like cuticle clippers.
Add soap to a clean brush and scrub the tools to remove debris. Rinse with hot water, then submerge in a bowl of isopropyl alcohol for thirty minutes before air drying.