Cuticle softener. How to remove cuticle at home

The cuticle is the layer of skin at the base of the nails and its main purpose is to protect the nail. But the cuticles around your nails are often dry, sticky and unsightly. It can ruin the most beautiful manicure. The situation becomes especially difficult when cuticle removal becomes an addiction and wounds form on the fingers. In addition, cuticle damage can occur with frequent contact with detergents. It gets to the point that the girl stops showing her hands to the world, which she shamefully hides in her pockets. But all you could do was regularly soften the cuticle. How to care for the cuticle so that it does not become a problem?

What is cuticle?

The cuticle is a roll of skin that, over a period of time, grows near the nail plate. It is very important and performs a protective function, protecting nails from pathogenic bacteria that can cause various diseases. To keep your cuticle healthy, you need to take care of it. This part of the skin is very delicate and sensitive. When in contact with aggressive substances, the cuticle dries out and becomes chapped. Then our hands take on an unkempt appearance.

Currently, there are a variety of cuticle softeners. With their help, you can take good care of your hands at home.

When cuticle fungus appears, how to treat it?

Fungus appears less often on the fingers than on the feet. One of its symptoms is the “manicure effect,” in which pathogens destroy the cuticle. Moreover, not its stratum corneum, but also living epithelial tissue. The protective barrier that prevents infection from penetrating deeper into the body, through the nail bed, collapses.

Fungus on the cuticle.

The fungus appears:

Redness and peeling of the skin on the fingers, the appearance of so-called fungal gloves and deep cracks between the fingers
Changes in nail color, thickening, brittleness and peeling
Unpleasant smell
Lagging of the nail from the nail bed until it falls off

The disease is treated with antifungal agents internally and externally. about the treatment of onychomycosis here .

Care products

If you want to take care of your hands yourself without visiting a beauty salon, you can purchase any softener or prepare it yourself.

Creams and gels are most often intended to soften the skin and further remove it.
Oil emulsions and oils are used for regular softening. They have a positive effect not only on the skin, but also on the nail plate itself.
Baths are also good for softening the cuticle.
Hand and cuticle creams should be used as daily care. They contain substances that support skin health.
To wash your hands, you need to purchase soap with caring substances (oils, herbs, minerals).

Should I trim my cuticles or not?

Until recently, only the classic manicure was in use - edged, when the cuticle was completely removed from the nail. Nowadays, European manicure – unedged – is gaining more and more popularity.

The advantages of trimmed, American manicure are obvious:

nails visually become longer, this gives them a beautiful, well-groomed appearance;
Trimming manicure is recommended if the nail is damaged or growing in some way incorrectly.

Minuses:

removing cuticles with scissors has long been recognized as unsafe: if some kind of infection or dirt gets inside during or after the procedure, you can get inflammation;
with inept work it is easy to cut yourself until you bleed;
you can also scratch the nail plate itself;
The more often and more thoroughly we remove the cuticle, the faster it grows back and the denser and tougher it becomes.

Advantages of the European manicure:

it’s simple, you can do it at home without the help of a manicurist;
it is safe, because during such an operation the cuticle is not damaged;
accordingly, such care for the cuticle helps it perform its main function, and the nails remain protected from external irritants and bacteria;
keratinized, old skin cells still die and gradually separate from the nail.

There are practically no disadvantages to European manicure:

The only thing is that you won’t be able to switch to an unedged manicure immediately after a trimmed one; you will have to go through several sessions of a European manicure until the cuticle begins to look neat and aesthetically pleasing.

What is a remover?

Trimmed manicure has been gradually fading into the background lately. It has long been replaced by unedged manicure. Modern cuticle removers are very easy to use and do not harm the skin at all.

A remover is a gel, cream or liquid cosmetic product that allows you to quickly get rid of regrown skin. Thanks to this cosmetic product, you can quickly get your nails in order and prepare them for extensions. Removers contain substances that soften the skin at the base of the nail. The keratinized cuticle is removed using alkaline or acidic substances. Along with the skin, impurities that accumulate under the skin roll are also cleansed. Cuticle removers are recommended to be used instead of trimmed manicure, and also as a preparatory step before extensions.

The principle of action of such a substance is very simple. The product is applied to the skin around the nail, and after a few minutes the softened cuticle is removed using an orange stick. Next, oil is applied to the treated area. It is used to soften the blow after using the remover. This allows you to soothe inflamed skin and relieve irritation.

RECIPE: healthy cuticle oil

Need to:

oil – base, for example rose – 1 tbsp. spoon
essential oils (cedarwood, tea tree, ylang-ylang) – 3 drops each
Aevit – 1 capsule
propolis oil extract – 4 drops

Oil - the base is heated in a water bath
Add additional components to it
Soak cotton pads in healthy oil and wipe the nails and the skin around them one by one.
Repeat the procedure every time you perform a hygienic manicure.

Disadvantages of edged manicure

The classic cut manicure is a proven procedure for years that allows you to take care of the cuticle. Overgrown nail skin is physically removed using instruments. To do this, use cuticle tweezers or scissors. Recently, edged manicures have been used less and less. The reason for this is its multiple disadvantages:

Sores and cuts. As you know, the skin in the area of the nail folds is incredibly delicate and thin. Even doing a manicure yourself, you can get injured, since it is always difficult to calculate where the regrown part ends and living tissue begins. It is even more difficult for masters in salons to find this border. Therefore, even experienced masters make mistakes.
The procedure is not safe. Open wounds can always become a source of infection and purulent processes. It is very good if the salon employs executive masters who disinfect instruments after each procedure. Otherwise, the risk of contracting very serious diseases is high.
Manicure is difficult for home use. It is difficult to trim the cuticle evenly and beautifully on your own.

Cold paraffin therapy

Here is one of the many ways to care for dry cuticles at home without visiting expensive procedures. Those who do not want to waste time melting paraffin in a container can purchase a cream containing cold paraffin. Valuable microingredients will allow you to get a cosmetic effect after the third application. Unique procedure

Moisturizes the skin.

Regenerates damaged tissues.

Increases the rate of vessel filling.

Nutrition of epidermal cells.

Eliminates inflammation.

Increases skin immunity.

Eliminates hangnails.

Mode of application. A thick layer of up to 0.5 cm of the substance should be applied to the handles; before the procedure, you need to apply a scrub or fortified gel to the skin, then put on cellophane gloves, hide your hands under a terry towel or any other fabric for 20 minutes. After completing the procedure, remove any remaining substance and treat your hands with cream.

Benefits of the remover

Trimming manicure is associated with many inconveniences. To avoid them, you can use a remover. However, like any cosmetic product, it has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the product include:

No mechanical damage. They are simply not possible because cuticle tweezers or scissors are not used. This means that the risk of infection is eliminated. The remover cannot cause cuts. After a salon procedure, it is almost impossible to contract any infection.
Simplicity and ease of use. Even the most inexperienced person can do an unedged manicure. The remover eliminates the need to painstakingly cut out the skin for a long time. The whole procedure goes quite quickly. The substance is applied to the cuticle, and you just have to wait a little for it to take effect.
With regular use of removers, the cuticle becomes more well-groomed and grows slower.

Homemade Vaseline with Calendula

- dried calendula flowers - a jar of Vaseline (about 10 g)

Calendula flowers contain active substances that promote cell regeneration and soften the skin . If the cuticle is dry, grows unevenly and the first hangnails have appeared, it’s time to prepare Vaseline ointment, which can improve the appearance of your fingers.

To prepare the product, pour flowers into a metal mug and add Vaseline to them . Place the dish on the fire and wait until the fat melts, then cover the mixture with a tight lid and leave to infuse for 1 day. After 12 hours, condensation forms on the walls of the mug, which must be drained and the ointment reheated so that the moisture vapor evaporates. The finished ointment is poured into any cosmetic jar to be used daily.

Disadvantages of removers

Removers have a number of disadvantages:

They contain alkaline components. Even in minimal quantities they can be harmful. If the nail plate is infected with fungus, removers will only worsen the condition.
Such preparations should not be used frequently as they lead to softening of the nails. They can take on an uneven shape if removers are used without measure. Experts say that they can be used no more than twice a month.
The drug is applied strictly along the edge. If you miss and apply it a little further, there may be unpleasant consequences in the form of softening of the nail and damage to the skin fold.

As you can see, removers also have their drawbacks, although they are not comparable to the dangers of trimmed manicure. Increasingly, in salons, masters offer European (unedged manicure), which is simpler and gives good results.

Types of removers

How to remove cuticle at home? The easiest way is to use removers. Even an inexperienced person can cope with the procedure. If you want to purchase such a product for home use, then it is worth knowing what types there are.

Acid. The name itself allows us to judge its composition. These removers are based on lactic, fruit and other acids. The product has a very fast effect. The skin softens in literally two to three minutes. Acid removers are used for home and salon use.
Alkaline. The substance is characterized by a more severe effect. With its help, a manicure can be done in just a minute. When applied correctly, the product can practically not harm the skin and nail plate. Only professionals can work with it, which is why such removers are used in salons.
Oil removers are very rarely found on sale. They do not contain solvents. The products simply make the cuticle more pliable and softer. After this, it can be removed without using tweezers or scissors. It is better to use a special manicure stick. Oil products make softening the cuticle a completely invisible process. Removers have a mild effect that does not cause allergies.
Minerals have a non-aggressive composition. Oils are most often used. Their great advantage is that they are supplemented with all kinds of caring components. In fact, it turns out that the same product not only removes the cuticle, but also nourishes the skin and nails with a vitamin cocktail. Mineral removers do not have any serious disadvantages. Allergic reactions occur rarely, and only if a person is intolerant to some component.

Tools Overview

If you are thinking about how to remove cuticles at home, then you should purchase a remover. This tool will greatly facilitate and speed up the procedure. You will forever forget about cutting your cuticles. In order to purchase the right product in the store, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most popular ones.

Beauty Triumph remover pencil is a product of a domestic manufacturer. The cuticle softener looks like a felt-tip pen or marker. With its help, you can apply softening liquid with great precision. The revumer contains oils and vitamin E.

Professionals note that this is one of the best cuticle oils. The pencil is easy to use and has a convenient packaging. The pointed cap makes it easy to push back cuticles without any additional tools. The cost of the product ranges from 500-700 rubles.

Cuticle Away by CND

Cuticle gel contains alkali. And aloe extract has a calming effect, softening the effect of active components. The product is suitable for home and salon use.

The cost of the gel is 900 rubles. The drug has a fairly liquid consistency, making it easy to apply. It copes well even with neglected cuticles and at the same time has a gentle effect on the skin and nail plate.

Compresses with honey to soften the nail

Another popular method to make the nail plate soft and pliable is to use a long-term compress for the foot, which includes:

Honey.
Olive oil.
Sour cream (it is better to use richer sour cream to achieve the proper level of fat in the compress).

The final ingredient is freshly squeezed lemon juice, the acid in which destroys strong bonds in the horny layers of the old nail plate. It is recommended to use similar techniques for ingrown toenails, to thoroughly soften the plate in older people, after wearing tight shoes for a long time.

After removing the compress, it is recommended to wipe the skin dry with a soft cloth (for the last method, wash off the lemon juice), treat the skin of the foot and nail plates with moisturizing cream.

Manicure at home

Whatever composition the removers have, they are used in practice in almost the same way.

To get rid of cuticles at home you need:

Take a bath before manicure in warm water. This procedure is only necessary for neglected hands.
Use an orange stick to push the skin to the base of the nail.
Gently apply the product to the cuticle. An orange stick will help you do this exactly.
Remove cuticle.
Rinse off any remaining product with water.
Apply cosmetic oil or cream to nails and cuticles.

Causes of hardening of the nail plate

The majority of cases are due to fungal infection. Neglect of hygiene standards leads to this. When visiting baths and saunas, swimming pools and beaches, you can easily pick up an infection. After all, the fungus spreads quickly with the help of water.

It is important not to miss the first signs of infection:

A hardening with a yellow tint appears on the nails.
The nail becomes uneven and loses its smoothness.
The hard plate becomes difficult or impossible to trim.

In addition to fungus, there are other reasons: endocrine diseases, old age, occupational diseases. It happens that a nail grows into the skin and brings a lot of trouble to the owner.

A natural question arises: How to soften affected nails in order to cut them?

Hardware manicure

Currently, a new manicure method has emerged that is convenient for home use. It is usually called hardware. It has become widespread just recently. Many women take only the first steps in mastering it. Semi-professional and professional devices can be seen on sale in many household appliance stores. The contents of the sets may vary. However, the device has a cone-shaped cuticle cutter. Before starting work, the skin is slightly pushed back and degreased. And then they are treated with a special nozzle in two directions: down and up.

The cuticle cutter does the job perfectly. During operation, you only need to lightly press the device onto the skin so as not to injure it. The set also includes spherical and rectangular attachments for treating nails. The most advanced devices include a felt attachment for final polishing. Similar products are available in every beauty salon. But you can also purchase the simplest option for yourself, which runs on batteries.

How to save money on manicures

Every girl should know how to properly care for her cuticles between manicures using home remedies. One specialist appointment costs more than 500 rubles. To reduce costs, you need to find effective methods of professional care, which include baths, natural cosmetic ingredients, and procedures. The ideal plate has a healthy pink tint and no extra layer of skin. Before trimming the cuticle, you should steam your hands for 5 minutes in a bath with the addition of 2-3 drops of essential oils, and apply a rich cream after the event.

Tools for working with cuticles

Not all women like to fight the cuticle. For many, rough skin becomes a real problem. Currently, there are a lot of products that soften the cuticle well. After their impact, all that remains is to carefully remove it. To work with leather, you should have the following tools in your home arsenal:

Trimmer. The tool has a specific shape that looks like the letter V. It is a good alternative to cuticle nippers. The edges of the trimmer are highly sharpened, so it must be used with caution.
The cuticle file looks like a honeycomb. It can be solid or mesh. The file is very convenient to use because it does not damage the nail plates.
Pencil. The cuticle product resembles an applicator or brush. Inside the drug there is a nourishing oil. The pencil also has a cuticle file.
Europumza is a product for removing dead skin, which is used if the gel does not cope with the task. The drug consists of a mixture of phosphorus and aluminum.

How to properly cut cuticles with scissors?

It so happened that a significant part of the cuticle became keratinized and began to lift up. It needs to be removed. Or rather, not the entire nail skin, but only the dead part of it. After all, the living one still performs its more important functions.

You can remove the keratinized part with special scissors, the tips of which are thin and sharp. Experienced manicurists say that, unlike tweezers, such scissors do not catch living tissue, and after using them there are no cuts left.

Using a remover or folk remedy, you should soften the nail skin
Using the tips of nail scissors or an orange stick, carefully lift the part of the cuticle that has grown to the nail plate.
The keratinized part of the cuticle is carefully trimmed
If it is difficult to remove the nail skin at the corners of the plate with scissors, additionally use forceps

Removing cuticle with scissors.

IMPORTANT: Good cuticle scissors have the following parameters: the presence of a bolt (then the blades do not become loose), the length of the cutting part is about 2 cm, a side bite (provides less trauma to the procedure), curved tips

Home Remedies to Soften Cuticles

You can get rid of rough skin not only with ready-made cosmetics, but also with home remedies. Folk recipes are quite capable of helping modern women. The most effective remedies are oils. Apricot, castor, lavender, wheat and jojoba are ideal for home use.

There are several ways to soften the cuticle:

Bath with oil and salt. The container is filled with warm water, after which a pinch of sea salt is dissolved and a few drops of oil are added. Fingers are dipped into the bath and steamed. Afterwards, the cuticle is pushed back and hand cream is applied.
Oil massage. Hands are steamed in warm water and the skin is peeled back. After which any oil is applied to it and the periungual ridges are massaged.

Homemade ointments

They soften the nail, relieve inflammation and pain. The following recipe has proven itself well in the fight against fungus and ingrown toenails:

You need to take 1 medium onion, 1 aloe leaf, 1 clove of garlic, 10 g of wax and 20 g of ghee.
Grind everything and mix in a saucepan.
Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
Cool.

The finished ointment is applied to a napkin and applied to the nail, covered with a film on top.

The compress is fixed with a bandage and left overnight. You need to put a sock on your foot for better effect. Before applying the ointment, it is recommended to take any bath.

We learned how to soften nails for cutting using home remedies. It happens that these methods do not help and you have to go to the pharmacy, where they will offer you various ointments.