The Ultimate Guide To Cuticles

At NAILCAREHUB, we’re passionate about perfecting your manicure, and a crucial part of that is cuticle care. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about cuticles, why they matter, and how to maintain them for a lasting and professional-looking manicure.

Table of Contents

Understanding Cuticles

First, let’s clarify what cuticles are and the areas we’ll be focusing on in this guide. Cuticles are the thin, delicate strips of skin that can grow up onto your nails and often attach themselves to your nail bed. There’s a common debate in the nail community regarding whether it’s safe to cut them. Our stance is clear: it’s safe to remove the dead tissue known as the cuticle, provided you understand the process.

In nail school, we learned about the various parts of the nail and what comprises them. Here’s a helpful diagram to illustrate:

The key distinction is that the Eponychium is live living tissue, whereas the cuticle is dead tissue that can safely be removed. Cutting live skin is painful and can lead to infections or bleeding, which is why we emphasize the importance of knowing what you’re doing when it comes to cuticle care.

Why Cuticle Care Matters

Cuticle care is not just a matter of aesthetics; it has a significant impact on the quality and longevity of your manicure. If you’re aiming for a professional look, impeccable adhesion of your polish, and durability, cuticle care is a must. Neglecting it can result in messy manicures and faster chipping, particularly with gel manicures.

Additionally, regular cuticle care can prevent the development of hangnails and the temptation to pick at your skin, promoting healthy nail maintenance.

Special Note for Gel Manicures

For those who opt for gel manicures, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of removing cuticles. As shown in the diagram above, the cuticle is a thin piece of skin that can easily lift up from your nail. If your gel adheres to the cuticle and it lifts, your gel manicure will lift too. To ensure a strong and lasting bond, removing the cuticle is essential.

How to Perform Cuticle Care

Cuticle care can be achieved using several methods, but we strongly advocate for performing a dry manicure for safe and precise results. Dry manicures have no liquid elements involved, except for using alcohol to cleanse the nails. The advantage of dry manicures is that they allow you to clearly distinguish between live and dead skin, keeping your nail bed dry and preventing it from expanding, which helps your polish last longer.

Avoid using liquid cuticle removers, as they often require soaking in soapy water to be effective, which can further hydrate your nails. Instead, focus on a dry manicure approach.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing cuticle care with a dry manicure:

Remove all product (polish or gel).
Gently push your cuticles back and carefully scrape off excess cuticle from your nail bed.
Use a buffer to gently remove lifted cuticle, paying close attention to the cuticle area.
Use cuticle nippers to gently trim dead, dry, and lifted skin around your cuticle area and on your nail bed, including hangnails if present.
Buff again if necessary.
Use a nylon brush and alcohol to eliminate dust and debris from your nail bed before applying polish.

Special Note: If you’re interested in a tutorial, check out our Dry Manicure Prep Course, where we provide in-depth guidance on this process.

Essential Cuticle Care Tools

To perform successful cuticle care, it’s important to have the right tools at your disposal:

Alcohol: Use alcohol with a concentration of over 80% to cleanse your nails.
Cuticle pusher: Invest in a quality cuticle pusher with an angle that allows you to push your cuticles back gently.
Cuticle nipper: Ensure you have a sharp pair of cuticle nippers for safe and effective use.
Buffers: Regularly replace buffers to maintain their effectiveness.
Files: Get new files every few manicures, especially for gel manicure fills.
E-file: For those experienced with e-files, they can provide precise cuticle care. Ensure you educate yourself before using one.

Two Recommended Cuticle Care Methods

We’ve outlined two preferred methods for cuticle care, both designed for dry manicures:

Method 1:

Remove all product (polish or gel).
Push your cuticles back and gently scrape off excess cuticle on your nail bed.
Use your buffer to gently buff off lifted cuticle, with a focus on the cuticle area of your nails.
Employ cuticle nippers to gently trim dead, dry, lifted skin around your cuticle area and on your nail bed, including hangnails.
Buff again if needed.
Use a nylon brush and alcohol to remove dust and debris from your nail bed before applying polish.

Method 2 (E-file):

Remove all product (polish or gel).
Gently push your cuticles back to expose more of your nail bed.
Use the e-file cuticle bit on speed 10-15 to gently exfoliate the cuticle off your nail bed.
Buff off additional cuticle if necessary.
Employ cuticle nippers to gently trim dead, dry, and lifted skin around your cuticle area and on your nail bed, including hangnails.
Buff again if needed.
Use a nylon brush and alcohol to remove dust and debris from your nail bed before applying polish.

Special Note: If you are using an e-file, ensure you have the necessary knowledge and skills. We also recommend referring to our Dry Manicure Prep Course for comprehensive guidance.

Aftercare

Following the dry manicure and cuticle care, it’s essential to rehydrate your nails. This step is vital, especially after a dry manicure, as your nails may be extremely dry at this point and ready to absorb cuticle oil.

Refrain from applying oil until your gel is entirely cured or your polish is dry. Proper rehydration keeps your nails flexible, preventing breakage and ensuring your gel polish adheres to your nails as they grow out.

To maintain well-hydrated hands and cuticles, consider using hydrating hand lotions and cuticle oils daily. There are numerous products available, so find one you love and apply it regularly.

Nail Care, Cuticle Care

The Ultimate Guide to Cuticles