Polish and Pearls

Do Cuticles Grow Back?

Cuticles are like delicate flowers so handling them with extra care and gentleness is a must. Cutting your cuticles is a big no-no and instead, you just need to push them back. Why is that? Don’t they look so much better if they are cut and look polished? Well, this is so wrong.

do cuticles grow back

What is Cuticles?

Cuticles are the thin skin sliver along the bottom of the nail bed, it’s actually serves a very critical purpose and that is to keep you protected from infection. Otherwise, it will be an ideal point of entry. Once you sliced it open just because you or the one doing your nails have no idea how to use the nippers properly, these flood gates will become open for fungus and bacteria right away, making them get inside your body and end up infecting you as a result.

Cutting cuticles is not a part of the tests in beauty schools simple because technically, this is not something you are supposed to do. Others will try to teach you how to cut cuticles and all students will be given with their respective nippers only to lead to bleeding and blood everywhere. This is because it is all too easy to cut too deep, accidentally cutting the skin. Indeed, cutting cuticles is a plain risky business.

Also, the moment cutting your cuticles becomes your habit, you will always need to cut them since they just grow back fast but it will no longer as pretty as normal. Do cuticles grow back? Well, yes, they do. But, they will start to fray and resemble a fish’s gill. Not good, right?

Experts recommend the use of cuticle nippers just to hack away at the hangnails. In beauty schools, although they will teach you how to cut your cuticles, they will tell you to use nippers for cutting painful hangnails showing up under the cuticle and along the nail’s sides. Instead, the cuticles should be pushed back through the applying the cuticle remover on every nail. Grab an orange stick available at beauty supply stores. Wrap cotton on the tip and gently push back the cuticle to achieve the perfect ridge.

Best Time to Trim Your Cuticles

The perfect time for cutting your cuticles is right after stepping outside the shower. This is because this is the time when your skin is easier to push back because they are also softer. You can soak your hands as well in warm water until the cuticles become softer. This can also work well.

So, do cuticles grow back? The simple answer is yes.

But, their appearance might no longer be as good as they used to be. That is why the next time you visit your favorite salon or you choose to do your own nails at home, make sure that you don’t cut your cuticles. This is because there is nothing more hideous than freshly manicured hands that have an infection on the side. Of course, the last thing you want is to end up having manicured hands that look like the scene of a crime.

How to Push Cuticles Back?

Girls with flawlessly manicured hands are often regarded as glamorous and refined. It’s pretty amazing how some girls achieve this without spending much at the salon and just do their own nails at home.

What’s the essential step? Push back those cuticles so your nail beds will attain a look that creates a stunning effect that stands out.

6 easy steps to push that cuticle back

  1. Clean your nails with acetone-free polish remover. Apply it using a cotton ball; gently remove existing polish, dirt and oils. Do not skip this step so that the small chips from your old polish don’t get pushed into your nail beds. It is also important to avoid using acetone since it dries out your nails and cuticles.
  2. Soften your cuticles. Just soak your nails in warm water for more than 5 minutes to make the cuticles easier to push.
  3. Shake it off, girl. Shake the excess water and gently pat your hands with a clean towel to make it dry. This can facilitate the penetration of the moisturizer into your nails.
  4. Oil that cuticle. Although your cuticles were softened when you soaked them, it would be helpful if you moisturize with cuticle oil, coconut oil, or lotion. You can just leave, it depending on your preference. If you are using a chemical cuticle remover instead, always check the label to avoid damaging your nails!
  5. Push it, baby. Place your hand on a flat surface. Gently push back your cuticles in one stroke or direction. Again, be gentle, don’t be too harsh. It is a smart choice to use disposable orangewood sticks. In reality, you can actually do it using cotton swabs, soft cloth or even your bare fingers!
  6. Getting it done. Exfoliate your cuticles with a warm and clean washcloth to get rid of the excess skin. If there are hangnails, trim them with nippers. Position your trimmers close enough and snip in a smooth cut. Lastly, wash your hands with soap and you’re done!

How to take care of your cuticles

Avoid using chemicals. If it can’t be avoided like if you do laundry or gardening, just wear gloves.

Moisturize daily, push it weekly.  After shower, you can simply push your cuticles using your fingers. Moisturize your entire nails using oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or anything that you prefer. Just gently rub it on your nails and you’re good to go.

Lastly, don’t bite your nails!

Featured Image Source: wenjomatic from Flickr