BEAUTY
Is Cutting Your Cuticles Actually The Best Option?
By LESLIE LEON
One of the first steps of getting a manicure is fixing your cuticles, whether that’s pushing them back or cutting them. Your cuticles are dead skin cells that protect your nails by creating a wall to keep dirt out; your cuticles are removed to give you a much finer and more precise manicure.
However, you might want to rethink this step, as manicurist Dr. Deborah Lippman explains, “Our cuticles prevent free radicals and bacteria from entering the body. They're meant to protect both the skin barrier and the nails themselves.” Cutting the cuticles creates an open wound, allowing for infections that can cause redness, irritation, and swelling.
Instead of cutting the cuticles, you can minimize them by using a cuticle remover and a metal pusher to push the cuticle back. Then, rinse off the cuticle remover and cut only the excess skin; you can also moisturize your cuticles daily with lotions or oils to prevent dryness and peeling.