How to remove cuticles at home?

Correctly prepared and applied gel polish manicure ensures that your manicure lasts longer. Find out how to remove cuticles and which products should be used.

Cuticle removal is not always necessary. If your cuticles don’t grow on the nail plate they shouldn’t be removed because we can only stimulate the cuticles to grow larger. We only remove those cuticles which don't look good or grow directly on the nail plate. Cuticle removal may often end in failure: wounds, infections, burrs, dry skin around cuticles and when we paint the nails using dark shades the ugly skin around the nails becomes even more visible. So how should you remove them correctly? This post will answer all your questions.

Why should you remove your cuticles?

Growing cuticles do a good job for you – they grow to protect the nail matrix, but many women have a problem with them. When they grow and become thick they start to overlap the nail plate, which is especially bothersome when we want to apply gel polish. If we want to have a nice, aesthetic and long lasting manicure we need to soften our cuticles, push them back and cut any unsightly bits.

How to remove cuticles correctly?

We have two possible ways to remove the cuticles. You can use e-file, but this option is only for professionals – it’s easy to hurt your nails if you had no e-file training before. If you know how to use it, you will need a few e-file bits to get rid of the cuticle excess. We can recommend: Semilac nail drill bit 008 Diamond Micro Barrel- it will be great to push back the cuticles, Semilac nail drill bit 006 diamond long spike or Semilac nail drill bit 012 - Flame will remove any cuticles left on the nail plate, Semilac nail drill bit 013 - Ball, will perfectly smooth the skin around your nails. This bit is perfect for nippers-free manicure and pedicure. But if you would like to remove your cuticles at home and you don’t have professional equipment, or you are not trained to use the e-file you can follow our tips on how to remove cuticles step by step.

First step: soften your cuticles

Don’t try to get rid of your dry cuticles before you soften them first. you won't do it precisely and you will end up with a lot of cuts. It’s worth knowing that unskillful cuticle removal can introduce changes in the nail matrix which can be a problem for a long time. So if you have a few extra minutes prepare a bath for your cuticles. Pour warm water into the bowl and soak your finger for a few minutes – the water shouldn’t be too warm or too cold. After this put some cuticle remover around your nail plate it will additionally soften your skin. (if you don't have the time to keep your nails in the water, make sure to use at least cuticle remover ) If you use Semilac Cuticle Remover, wait 5 minutes for the product to soften your cuticles.  Then you are ready for the next step.

Second step: Push back the cuticles

If the cuticles don’t grow on the nails there is no point in removing them – simply and gently push them back using a wooden stick or manicure pusher. If you would like to remove your cuticles, push them back from the nail plate. If they are too hard to push it, you can repeat the cuticle remover treatment, instead of putting pressure on the nail plate.

Third step: Use the nail nippers or nail scissors

If your cuticles look unsightly after you push them back, cut them out. Remember to do it skilfully. The cuticles protect the nail matrix and prevent the bacteria from penetrating the nail plate. If you will cut yourself it can be painful. Prepare sharp nippers or scissors, gently slip the blade under the cuticle and cut it from right to the left. Do not pull upwards with a quick, sharp, sudden movement. If you feel you have to remove them in this way, it means that your tool is too blunt and invest in high quality nippers and manicure scissors. In the Semilac offer you can find professional 5mm nippers and 23 scissors. If the cuticles are still too hard, you can apply some manicure oil or extra cuticle remover.

Nail cuticles – how to take care of them?

Be careful to not overdry the cuticles and use hand cream and manicure oils. Condition of the nails and the cuticles will be improved if you will oil them everyday – oils have nourishing and softening properties. You can try handy Semilac manicure oil in pen rich in natural oils and vitamins! If your cuticles grow extremely fast, you can try Semilac cuticle remover, it will help you to soften your cuticles and dissolve part of them. You should also be careful while you are doing houseworks. Detergents dry your skin and have an irritating effect on the skin of our hands. It’s worth it to wear rubber gloves while cleaning.

Removing cuticles before manicure – why is it important?

Removing the cuticles before your nail stylization will definitely work on plus for you. Your manicure will last longer. Cuticles which are not pushed back or removed correctly will cause lifting and chipping. Also your nails will look longer without cuticles. Ugly cuticles around the nails can ruin the effect of the perfect looking manicure.

Remember

Remember to disinfect the nail nippers, scissors after each use. If you do it yourself at home, after finishing the manicure wash the tools in warm water and then wipe it with cotton swab dipped in the alcohol (you can also use special liquids available for home disinfection). If you are doing a manicure in a beauty salon make sure that the beautician is using sterilized tools. She should always open fresh packs with sterilized tools with you.