Cuticle oil: how to use and which one to choose

Why you need to take care of your cuticles

Formal manicure and treatment of gel coating under a UV lamp harm the delicate skin of the nail folds. The purpose of the cuticle is to protect the bed - the growth zone. Damage to it is fraught with infection and the development of an inflammatory process. Any cosmetic procedures with nails, including the application of decorative coatings, injure the skin ridges. Regeneration of damage causes excessive cell division, the growth of excess epidermis, the appearance of hangnails and cracks. Physical manual work also does not add beauty to the fingers. For these reasons, their delicate skin, especially the cuticle, requires not only regular correction, but also special care.

Liquid cosmetic oil based on vegetable fats ensures restoration and regeneration of cuticle tissue, makes them elastic, smoothes and moisturizes. Ordinary hand creams cannot replace it, since the concentration of nutrients in them is not enough. And the glycerin contained only increases dryness.

Salon procedures for restoring nails after extensions

Hot manicure

Hot manicure procedure

Hot manicure is a relatively new and rather pleasant procedure, which consists of immersing the fingers for 15-30 minutes in a container with a special nourishing lotion , olive or cosmetic oil before performing a manicure. The temperature of the liquid is about 40 - 50 degrees . The procedure allows you to maximally moisturize the damaged keratin layer and is often used after removing artificial nails.

Sealing the nails

A very effective procedure in which the nail plate is sealed using beeswax or professional cosmetic wax . it activates regenerative processes, nail growth, restores the smooth surface and glossy shine of the nail plate, has a beneficial effect on the cuticle, and prevents nail layering.

Sealing your nails with wax can be done not only in the salon, but also at home. And how this procedure goes - look at the video:

Once sealed, your nails look so good that you don't need to coat them with polish. The procedure has a long-lasting effect - it lasts for 10 - 12 days .

Paraffin baths

Paraffin bath

A traditional spa procedure, the effect of which is easily explained: when the temperature rises at the cellular level, metabolic and regenerative processes are accelerated, water balance is normalized, and blood circulation is accelerated.

Paraffin baths are strictly contraindicated for skin damage, diabetes, infectious diseases, varicose veins, and elevated body temperature. Decorative or medicinal varnish must be removed from the nails before the procedure.

Professional nail restoration products

The modern nail industry provides a huge selection of restorative products to save nails.

Bend Don't Break (Jessica) – contains polymers, a vitamin complex, plasticizers, protects against scratches, creating a kind of barrier to destructive environmental factors.

Diamond Strength by Sally Hansen

Diamond Strength (Sally Hansen) – moisturizes and strengthens, according to the manufacturer’s promises, making nails stronger than diamond, creating protection from external damage.

Ni (Masura) is a mineral paste that seals the surface of the nail plate, preventing the nail from peeling, giving a shiny and healthy appearance.

Famous Names (IBX System) – effectively eliminates fragility, moisturizes, and prevents delamination of the keratin layer. Do not try to remove the coating with nail polish remover. It remains on the nail until it grows back.

Nail Armor (ORLY) – contains silk and Kevlar fibers, creates a protective mesh on the nail plate, strengthens and completely eliminates brittle nails.

Kevlar is a fiber that is five times stronger than steel.

Restoring oil (Belweder) - contains a whole complex of vitamins B and E, moisturizes and nourishes the nail plate, activates tissue cell regeneration processes.

RescueRXx (CND) keratin mask – keratin and jojoba oil quickly and effectively restore the structure of the keratin layers and moisturize it.

Composition and effect of nail oil

In the composition of nail care products:

• fine oils;
• essential compounds of plant origin;
• vitamin E concentrate;
• aromatic fragrances;
• bleaching particles.

A high-quality product does not contain parabens, synthetic fats and other harmful chemicals.

When applied to the skin, the oil penetrates deep into the layers of the epidermis, nourishes and softens it, fills microcracks, retains moisture, creating a thin protective layer. The effect is noticeable after the first use: the rollers become soft and smooth out. The elastic cuticle is less damaged, stops peeling, and keratinized edges grow back more slowly. On the contrary, the growth of nail plates with regular use of skincare cosmetics accelerates. Vitamin E activates the division of new cells, strengthens tissues and prevents disruption of metabolic processes in them.

Damage to natural nails from extension procedures

• Despite the fact that nails do not have blood vessels, they require constant access to air, which is not available under acrylic or gel.


Despite the beauty and convenience, the extension process causes harm to natural nails

• The lunula zone is actively producing the material from which the nail is made - keratin. After extensions, this area is closed for some time, which can provoke the growth of a curved nail plate.
• Deprived of access to the natural process of hydration and oxygen, marigolds can “forget how” to protect themselves from external negative factors.
• Despite the fact that extension materials are certified and recognized as relatively safe, they are chemicals and a source of toxins, which are destructive to the structure of the nails.
• After cutting off the top layer, which is a natural protective barrier, the nail plate becomes especially vulnerable to aggressors such as varnish, nail polish remover, rough files and household chemicals.

Popular oil brands

Cosmetics are available in glass or plastic bottles equipped with lids with brushes or dispenser tips. Volume of one package: 7–10 ml. Among the proven oils, the following are popular:

• Cuticle Oil from Mavala: provides the skin with complete hydration, prevents the appearance of hangnails and cracks;
• Solar Oil of the CND brand with the scent of almonds protects hands from the effects of aggressive ultraviolet radiation, softens and nourishes the skin;
• Argan Oil Cuticle Drops from Orly: bottles with convenient dispensers that allow you to apply the oil evenly along the edges of the nails;
• Oils from Sally: provide basic care for skin and nails, saturate with moisture, nourish and vitaminize;
• The One from Oriflame: a popular affordable product for the restoration and regeneration of cuticle tissue, contains essential oils and vitamins.

An alternative to industrial care products is self-made products. They are easy to make if the necessary components are available.

What happens to nails after extensions?

• Deprived of oxygen and moisture, the free edge becomes soft and brittle and flakes off.


Deprived of oxygen, the nail plate becomes fragile and brittle

• There may be a change in the color of the nail plate - yellowing.
• With unprofessional modeling, if the stiffener and stress zone are not constructed correctly, the extended nail is easy to break. Along with it the natural one may break , which leads to a change in the shape of the nail plate.
• a fungal infection may develop .

Extensions should not be applied to weakened and thin nails. Sanding can cause the nail bed to become very thin, to the point where blood vessels are visible. This can cause bleeding and be extremely painful.

Homemade cuticle oils

For an effective product you will need a suitable vegetable fat base. It is recommended to choose from the following:

• apricot oil;
• almond;
• grape seeds;
• wheat germ;
• jojoba.

Cheaper types: burdock or castor are also suitable. They nourish the skin well, stimulate nail growth, and prevent inflammation.

To the chosen base - a volume of about 10 ml, you need to add a few drops of essential oil: lemon or tea tree. You need to squeeze the contents of one capsule of pharmaceutical vitamin E into the resulting mixture (you can replace it with two drops of an oil solution of the drug).

It is recommended to pour the resulting product into a small bottle with a lid or an aerosol can.

Side effect of extensions

Undoubtedly, this salon procedure has advantages. Regular polish has to be renewed frequently, but for several weeks your nails will look well-groomed. By covering your nails with acrylic or gel, you can give them charm and grace. But if you overuse artificial coating, you risk making the natural nail plate fragile and thin.

Therefore, before deciding on such a procedure, let's look at the problems that you may later encounter:

• After extensions, nails become very weak, because the master removes a considerable layer of the plate
• The nail is subjected to aggressive treatment, which leads to its delamination

• If, after extensions, the nail does not have time to renew itself, then it becomes thinner and becomes very soft. Therefore, he is more susceptible to fungal infections
• While wearing an extended claw, serious injuries to the “native” are possible. The reasons may be different. For example, a master can put a considerable layer of artificial product. Due to this pressure, additional stress is placed on the nail. Therefore, the natural layer can easily crack at the slightest impact.
• Additional damage to the claws occurs during the process of dismantling extended specimens using solvents and other toxic chemicals.
• Do not forget that by building up you are blocking the access of oxygen to the plate
• During the period while you wear artificial nails, your natural nails completely lose their ability to withstand external irritants.
• It may also be that the designs from artificial nails will be imprinted on your natural ones, and then you will have to remove them by sanding
• Synthetic ingredients in hair extensions may cause allergies.

These reasons have led to the fact that extensions are prohibited for medical personnel. And all other women are recommended to resort to using only natural products that contain minimal chemicals. You can try replacing harmful materials with a special biogel for extensions.

How to use oil correctly

It is recommended to take care of your cuticles every day, preferably in the evenings, when all your work is behind you. All that is necessary is to apply 1-2 drops of the product around the nail and gently rub into the skin until completely absorbed.

For the oil to work effectively, it is important to prepare the skin for care in a timely manner:

• after washing your hands, use a special brightening peeling;
• regularly take cosmetic baths with preparations to soften the skin;
• Use a revumer about twice a week to remove overgrown cuticle edges.

These procedures will help you create a neat, aesthetic manicure. It is necessary to apply oil at the last stage, after shaping the cuticle and nails.

The duration of care is determined individually. The basic course is usually about 4 weeks. Using oil is useful not only for fingernails, but also for foot care, especially after the winter season and wearing tight closed shoes. The product will significantly soften the skin, prevent fungal infections and abrasions, and help prevent ingrown nails.

How does nail extension work?

The extension process includes several standard steps:

Gluing tips onto the nail

• selection of tips and shaping of nails;
• filing the top of the nail and treating it with a primer for better adhesion to the tip;
• gluing tips or modeling with gel onto a mold;
• processing the modeled nail and tips with a file;
• applying acrylic or gel;
• surface leveling.

During extensions, about three upper keratin layers of the nail are filed off.

As can be seen from the extension diagram, the natural nail undergoes the removal of several keratin layers of which it consists.

The nail plate itself consists of at least 120 keratin layers. When building up, about the top three are cut off, but an inexperienced craftsman using files with an inappropriate abrasive size can damage more of them.

With coarse files of 80 and 100 grit, you can remove 2/3 of the entire keratin layer of the nail in a couple of movements.

Selection rules

When purchasing an unfamiliar product, you need to study its detailed composition. The components should not contain petroleum jelly, alcohol, “technical” fats and other chemical components. Vegetable oil should be first on the list, then essential oil. The presence of preservatives and flavorings is acceptable.

Any cosmetic oil, including caring or medicinal oil, can cause an allergic reaction. Its possible signs: redness, burning, swelling or itching of the skin, peeling. If such symptoms appear, a small amount of the product should be applied to the bend of the elbow and observed for 24 hours. A similar reaction means that the product must be changed to a new one with a different composition.

Strengthening nail plates at home

Folk remedies

Homemade folk remedies aimed at improving the condition of nails:

• Moisturizing - oil baths with the addition of vitamins B and E.
• Whitening – masks made from lemon pulp or lemon juice.
• Strengthening - salt baths with the addition of iodine or essential oils.

Instead of table salt, it is more effective to use sea salt.

Watch the video for tips on how to perform spa treatments for your nails and skin at home:

Strengthening nails from the inside

To restore nails you need to take a complex of vitamins

An important factor in the restoration of nails is the supply of the body with those substances that are involved in the creation of the keratin layer. Many pharmaceutical companies offer tableted vitamin complexes containing vitamins and minerals aimed at treating and improving the condition of skin, hair and nails.

You can naturally saturate your body with substances that are beneficial for nails by introducing foods rich in vitamins and minerals into your diet.

Products that are good for nail health:

Good nutrition has a beneficial effect on nail health

• Dairy products, especially cottage cheese
• Fish
• Dates
• Almond
• Oranges
• Carrot
• Beet
• Natural vegetable oil
• Cranberry
• Black and red currants

The most important substances for nails are calcium and vitamins A and E.

Preventive measures to preserve nails during extensions

To preserve your nail plates, you must follow the following recommendations:

• Choosing a professional nail service who will use safe professional materials for extensions.
• Avoid contact with household chemicals.
• Protection of the nail plate from mechanical damage.

Restoring your nails after extensions is quite simple if you follow just a few simple rules and use home and professional resuscitation products. With proper care, your nails will soon become the same as they were before the procedure.

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After care

After nail prosthetics, supervision by a podologist is required. The artificial material is worn until the healthy nail grows completely. This can take anywhere from 1 month to a year depending on the rate of growth of the plate and how much of it was lost initially. During this time, the prosthesis is corrected or replaced every 1 to 2 months.

When wearing artificial material, a gentle regime is indicated, protection from excessive loads. When getting prosthetic toenails after fungus or injury, you should temporarily avoid playing sports. They increase the load and pressure on the toes (dancing, football). And also avoid shoes with narrowed toes, as this will lead to deformation of the prosthesis and increase the treatment time.

After prosthetic nail replacement, it is very important not to allow it to touch, because in this case it will come off along with the natural nail. It is necessary to use medications at home daily, which are recommended by a specialist. It is important to treat your finger with antiseptics. To improve blood circulation and nutrition in the damaged nail bed, it is recommended to do a light massage daily at the base of the nail plate.

When not to do it?

The procedure cannot be done if there are open wounds, an inflammatory or purulent process, or an acute fungal infection in the treated area. In case of a fungal infection, using hardware stripping, creams, medicinal varnishes, sprays containing components active against the fungus, the pathogen is first destroyed. Limitations for the procedure also include the complete absence of a nail plate.

For safe nail prosthetics, contact podiatry centers, as this is a rather serious medical procedure. It can be performed by a specialist who has undergone appropriate training. Entrusting this to an ordinary manicurist or pedicurist is dangerous. Especially if there is parallel onychomycosis, ingrowth, and diabetes mellitus. Correctly provided assistance will return your hands and feet to their beauty and neat appearance, and eliminate the fear of wearing open shoes or going to the beach or pool.

You can make an appointment at the Eva Korneeva Podology Center in Moscow for nail prosthetics and find out prices by calling +7 (985) 489-45-86.

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Benefits of nail prosthetics

To do or not to do the procedure? Before answering this question, you need to get acquainted with its advantages. According to reviews, after prosthetics, artificial nails in appearance are almost no different from natural ones. They can be varnished, decorated with rhinestones and other decorative elements. They look natural and are comfortable to wear.

The prosthesis does not weigh down the plate and has good flexibility. Promotes the growth of smooth, strong nails. When installed on the toes, it does not cause problems with walking, as it is capable of shock absorption.

Nail prosthetics are safe, quick and painless. Prevents damage to soft tissues, protects the nail bed from injury, stress, and preserves tactile sensations. When using materials with fungicidal components, it reliably protects against fungal infection.

Causes of weak nails

Using oils, you will get rid of nail problems. But knowing the cause of fragility, the use of popular advice will be much more effective. In addition, the cause may be hidden in internal diseases. Remember, treat the cause, not the symptom.

1. The first reason is vitamin deficiency. If the body lacks vitamins and microelements, nails peel, become weak, and lose color. This often happens in spring and autumn.
2. The cause is diseases. This topic is extensive, the shape of the nails, color, relief, layering indicate problems with the organs, hormonal imbalance.
3. Exposure of nail plates to chemicals, acetone. This could be nail polish remover, detergent, dishwashing detergent, etc.
4. Smoking makes nails brittle, lifeless, and yellow. As banal as it may sound, smoking is also harmful here.
5. Constant coating with bright varnishes, gel polishes, acrylics has a negative impact on nails.
6. Improper or insufficient care will create many problems for you. This includes the wrong nail file and nail care products. Don't forget about caring for your cuticles. But you don’t need to do this.
7. Heredity can cause brittle nails.