Cuticles, we've heard about them, but the point is, what exactly is it and why we have it, is the artistic blur! Yet, these small skins play a crucial role in protecting your nails and the beauty of your hands. So you are offered to zoom in on cuticles to better understand what they are for and take the right steps to treat them.
The role of cuticles in the health of our nails
What is a cuticle and what is it for?
The cuticles are these thin layers of skin at the base of the nail, which partially cover the nail matrix, a keratin production centre that allows the nail to grow. The cuticles thus play the shield role against external aggressions, preventing bacteria, germs and dirt from entering the skin. They are your best allies for preserve the natural balance of your nails. If this protective barrier is weakened, the risk of infection increases and the fingers are bitten. It is therefore essential to maintain them well so that they can fulfil their protective mission.
Cuticles are the natural shields of your nails, take care of them!
Why do cuticles become dry or damaged?
At the outposts, cuticles often have a hard life. Among the most common causes of alteration are:
- Exposure to aggressive chemicals such as unprotected household products.
- The cold and dry air that dry the skin.
- The bites or tearing stress-related compulsive.
- From bad manicure gestures e.g. too aggressive removal of cuticles when preparing nails or use of l-acetone solvent when removing varnish.
- L-l-l-lack of regular care.
In any case, the result is the same: cuticles are dried, damaged or even torn out, and this is not without consequences.
Risks from damaged cuticles
Each micro-injury on cuticles forms a breach in protective barrier nails, opening the door to bacterial or fungal infections which produce redness and swelling and make nails painful.
A weakening of cuticles may also disrupt the operation of the matrix. Nails grow less quickly and damage more easily, becoming soft or striated. It is therefore urgent to give up paying a little more attention to its cuticles, or risking the health of your nails.
How to repel cuticles correctly
Don't panic, cuticle care is not complicated. The secret? Gentleness, in the gestures and products used, to preserve the balance of your nails and ensure the holding and success of your manicure. So start the preparation of your nails by a 4 step cuticle care:
Step 1: Rumble cuticles
To push back the cuticles without damaging them, you first have to soften them. The infallible solution to achieve this: use a few drops of a Eollient for cuticles which softens the skin. With its gel texture and formula enriched with vegetable glycerin, l-Emollient Effective of the Manucurist Apply easily to the contour of the nail and act gently while moisturizing.
Put a drop at the base of each nail and leave it act 2 minutes, gently massage and remove the excess with a cotton.
Step 2: Use a cut-off shoot
The cuticle shoot is an essential tool, to handle with delicacy and Only on previously softened cuticles. You can opt for a shoot-cuticle Of steel or glass, ideal for sensitive nails.
Remove the contour of the nail by slightly pushing the small skins, without excessive pressure. Run the cut-off shoot in the reverse direction of the shoot and without going back.
The care of cuticles requires softness and precision.
Step 3: Remove dead skin if necessary
If you notice dead skin around the cuticles, just cut them gently with a crayons, but never go too close to the edges of the nails and only if necessary. Attention: it's not about cutting cuticles, but only to eliminate excess dead skin.
Step 4: Hydrate after treatment
After pushing the cuticles, hydration is essential. Apply oil or balm to intensely feed the area. L-Oil, ultra-feding green or Pink balm are perfect for regenerating nail and its contour.
If you continue the manicure with a varnish, replace the oil or balm with a degreasing care to remove the residues of fat and dust before applying the base coat.
The perfect routine for impeccable cuticles
Daily Routine
To maintain the flexibility and health of your cuticles in a sustainable way, regular hydration is absolutely key. Application of a nourishing oil in daily massage on the contour of løongle has multiple virtues. Rich with a powerful cocktail of 6 botanical oils, Green Oil allows:
- Moisturize thoroughly antioxidants, vitamins and minerals concentrated in lpassion fruit oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil.
- Feed and regenerate fibres omega 3 and 6, protein and calcium in lbaobab oil and nut oil.
- Calm and protect with the fatty acids and antioxidants contained in lBancoulier oil.
Apply a drop at the base of each nail, preferably in the evening, and massage and let the product act overnight. By massaging your cuticles, you activate blood microcirculation and promote the penetration of active ingredients that will strengthen cuticles and boost the growth of your nails.
For intense and continuous cuticle hydration, take a tube of Perfector concentrate you can apply at any time of the day to your nails and cuticles. This On-the-go treatment based on pistachio oil, moisturizes intensely, while repairing and soothing.
Take advantage of vegetable oils to feed and moisturize your cuticles.
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Adapting care according to season
Cuticles are treated throughout the year thanks to a routine that changes according to the seasons.
❄️Winter, when the cold and humidity are more intense, cuticles tend to dry out more. It is therefore essential to enhance hydration with other beneficial vegetable oils for the skin and nails. The Pink balm, rich in coconut oil, Damascus rose oil and Wakam extract, nourishes and moisturizes intensely, with an immediate feeling of comfort. Combined with the Hand cream, your nails and cuticles are safe for the winter.
☀️Summercuticles are often exposed to sunlight and water, which can cause damage. Use a sunscreen on the hands or a UV filter based care may prevent discolouration and drying of cuticles. TheGreen oil is also an excellent aftersun that will instantly regenerate nails and cuticles and stimulate regrowth.
Hydration enhanced in winter, sun protection in summer for healthy cuticles all year round.
Errors to avoid with cuticles
Maintaining healthy cuticles is essential to have strong nails and nice hands. In addition to the tips for hydration and nail preparation shared above in this article, here are the mistakes not to be made with your cuticles:
⛔Never tear or bite its cuticles because it creates wounds that can infect.
❌Avoid exposure to aggressive chemicals (household cleaners, detergents) without wearing gloves. These products alter the protective role of cuticles, increasing the risk of infection and drying.
⛔Never cut cuticles, only dead skins.
⚠️Gently push cuticles and only when they are softened.
❌Do not overflow on cuticles Applying the varnish. If this is the case, the varnish cannot adhere properly and the manicure scallates in just a few days. If the varnish used contains sensitizers, cuticles in contact with the product may develop inflammatory or allergic reactions.
❌Avoid acetone-based solvents which dry the cuticles. Prefer to bio-based nail polish formulas that gently withdraw, without acetone or sanding, to preserve your nails.
In short, cuticle care is an essential step to preserve the health and beauty of your nails. By understanding their protective role, avoiding aggressive gestures and adopting a regular routine combining hydration and gentle gestures, it is possible to prevent damaged cuticles and to enhance manicure sustainably. Well-maintained cuticles are the key to stronger nails and shiny and durable manicures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to moisturize cuticles?
Moisture of cuticles is essential to preserve the flexibility and protective role of cuticles. A nourishing oil or moisturizing treatment can be applied daily to prevent the drying of small skins and promote regrowth.
Is it good to cut the cuticles?
Trying to cut your cuticles, you may create wounds that can let bacteria and other germs enter, sources of painful and unpleasant infections. These attacks can also disrupt the growth of your nails and make them soft or striated. Before applying varnishes, prepare your nails safely using an emollient treatment that softens cuticles and allows them to be gently repelled with a cuticle pusher.
How often should you push your cuticles?
It is recommended to repel the cuticles once a week maximum. Make sure to soften them with a cuticle emollient before using a steel or glass cuticle pusher or a box stick. Adopt a smooth and regular gesture, without going back and forth, to get a clean and clean contour. Between two treatments, prefer daily hydration to maintain their flexibility.
Why are my cuticles dry or damaged?
Dry or damaged cuticles are often due to lack of hydration, frequent washing, cold, aggressive products or poor stress-related habits. Without proper care, they dehydrate, crack and even tear. A nourishing routine restores their protective role.
Which oil or care to choose for cuticles?
Prefer a cuticle oil rich in natural assets such as vegetable oils (soft almond, coconut, pistachio, bancoulier...). Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, they nourish, repair and protect cuticles sustainably while strengthening nails. A daily application is ideal for healthy and invisible cuticles.
