Dry, peeling cuticles can be quite painful and unsightly. Fortunately, this is a problem that you can solve in a short time and with little effort - you just need to be ready to give your hands some loving care.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Moisturize the Cuticles
Step 1. Make a homemade cuticle cream
If you have time, you can formulate a truly effective homemade cuticle cream using a little hand cream and oils. That's how:
- Microwave a bowl with 1/3 of hand cream, a little olive oil (or grape seed, if you have it), and 3-4 drops of lavender oil (you can find it in health food stores) until it is hot but not too hot.
- Apply it generously on each nail and massage it gently, repeating the same operation on the cuticle and surrounding skin, for at least one or two minutes each. The cream is extremely effective for your hands (and feet!) And will keep your cuticles soft.
- You can keep this homemade cream and reheat it for up to three days by keeping it in the refrigerator if you keep it in a dark glass bottle.
Step 2. Use olive oil for quick and easy results
It is an excellent moisturizer that can be used on its own to treat cuticles. Apply a small amount to each cuticle using your fingertip or a cotton swab and massage for 1-2 minutes. Let the oil be absorbed into the skin before washing your hands.
You can use the same olive oil you use for cooking
Step 3. Do a hot wax treatment
If you can afford it, investing in a hot wax treatment at your local beauty salon can make a real difference to your hands, nails and cuticles.
- During the hot wax treatment, a special oily wax is melted and applied to the hands and fingertips. Then they'll make you put on a pair of plastic gloves and a padded glove.
- After ten, maximum fifteen minutes, you will remove your hands from the padded glove and then the wax will be removed, leaving the skin of your hands and cuticles soft and supple.
- You can also buy paraffin treatment kits online, which you can use yourself at home.
Step 4. Use petroleum jelly
Although it has no moisturizing properties, it is able to "trap" the skin's natural hydration and protect it from external agents. You can also use it after applying your hand cream. It will soften the cuticles so that they do not peel, but it may be a little too greasy for use during the day. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before eating or drinking.
Vaseline is most effective when used in combination with another product, but it is still an inexpensive option; you can buy a very large tube at a low price
Step 5. Try essential oils
They can be very useful for moisturizing your cuticles and they smell great too! Some of the most effective are that of lemon, lavender, myrrh, frankincense, balsamic fir and Gaultheria. You can also use tea tree oil to keep your nails clean and prevent infections.
In most cases, the essential oil must be diluted with a carrier oil, as it is too concentrated to be applied directly to the skin. Only jojoba, olive, grape seed and coconut oils are excellent carrier oils
Step 6. If necessary, use a little lip balm
If you are busy outside the home and your cuticles are bothering you, check your bag for a stick of cocoa butter for your lips and try massaging some on your cuticles. It should give you temporary relief until you can apply the hand cream.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of Your Cuticles
Step 1. Soak your fingertips in warm water
Dip your hands in warm (not hot) water or take a long bath. This will help soften the cuticles and any skin. If you want, you can also add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar to the water. This will help exfoliate any dead skin.
Step 2. Push the cuticles back with a manicure stick
Once the cuticles have been softened, it should be easy to push them back with a manicure stick.
- The manicure stick is a small wooden or metal stick used to push cuticles and clean under the nails. You can buy it at low prices in any pharmacy, supermarkets or online.
- Use the flat tip of the stick to push the cuticles back. Try to do this very gently - if you push too hard you could hurt yourself and make your cuticles worse!
- Push the cuticles back until you see the white crescent at the base of each nail (called a bezel). Do not repeat more than once or twice a month, as the cuticles are quite sensitive.
- Metal sticks should be sterilized after each use, while wooden sticks should be thrown away.
Step 3. Never cut your cuticles
Cuticles are important - they protect the growth matrix of the nails (the part from which the nails grow) by preventing the entry of dirt or bacteria. Consequently, you should avoid cutting them and rather push them back.
- Trimming the cuticles removes this protective layer and exposes your nails to infection. It also makes the skin of the cuticles harder and more prone to breaking and peeling.
- Don't worry about faster cuticle regrowth once you stop cutting them - that's a legend. The growth will be the same, even if you stop cutting them.
Step 4. Moisturize your cuticles regularly
Regular hydration of the cuticles is one of the most important steps to prevent peeling. You should hydrate them at least twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening before bedtime.
- Don't forget that your cuticles are made of skin (despite having a thicker texture), and your skin needs to be hydrated to stay healthy and prevent peeling and flaking.
- During the day you can use a moisturizing hand lotion that absorbs quickly and does not leave your hands greasy. At night, however, you should use a thicker cream or cuticle conditioner for more intense hydration.
- After moisturizing your hands and cuticles, it would be a good idea to wear a pair of cotton or woolen gloves in bed. This is to prevent the cream or conditioner from rubbing on the sheets, and the extra heat will also help your skin absorb the cream. You will wake up in the morning with really soft hands and cuticles!
Step 5. If your cuticles are cracked and sore, use a topical antibacterial ointment
If you feel cracked and irritated skin around your nails, you may have a small infection. In this case, you will need to treat the infection.
- You can do this by applying a generous layer of topical antibacterial ointment (such as Cicatrene or bacitracin-based ointments) to the cuticles.
- Once you have applied the antibacterial ointment (which is more effective than the cream version), you should wrap a patch or gauze around each treated nail.
- Leave the patch on overnight and in the morning you will see that your cuticles will look better!
Step 6. Know when to see a doctor
If the cuticles are painful, if there is pus or swelling, if you notice red spots, you may have an infection called paronychia (infection of the periungual tissue). If you suspect this is your case, consult a doctor as soon as possible because you may need a course of antibiotics to heal the infection.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Dry Cuticles
Step 1. Protect your hands from the cold
The cold can make your hands very dry, causing the cuticles to break and peel.
- It is therefore very important to pay particular attention to protecting your hands during the winter, or at any time when the weather is very cold.
- Always wear gloves when you are out and remember to carry hand cream in your bag that you can apply at regular intervals.
Step 2. Keep your fingers away from your mouth
People who have the habit of biting their nails or chewing on cuticles are more prone to having dry skin, peeling around the fingers, than those who do not have these bad habits.
- You are also at risk for infections, as your mouth contains bacteria that can easily be transferred to your nails. Saliva also contains enzymes that can crack the skin, causing even more dryness.
- That said, one of the most effective measures to prevent dry cuticles peeling is to stop biting your nails and keep your hands away from your mouth.
- To help you, you can buy special nail polishes with a bitter unpleasant taste. They'll give your fingers such a bad taste, you'll think twice before putting them back in your mouth!
Step 3. Avoid drying agents
Having dry hands can speed up the process of breaking and peeling cuticles, so be sure to protect your hands from unnecessary exposure to dehydrating agents.
- Washing the dishes frequently in hot water, with soap, can be very drying for your hands, so protect them by wearing rubber gloves every time you wash the dishes.
- If you don't like wearing gloves, then at least invest in a more moisturizing dish soap, created to moisturize your hands as you wash.
- Stay away from acetone-based nail polish removers, because these remove moisture from the nails like nothing else. You should also try to try and wash your hands in moderation, as washing them too often removes important natural oils from the surface of the skin and nails.
Step 4. Eat healthy
A healthy and balanced diet provides the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body to keep hair, skin and nails healthy. Your cuticles will stay hydrated and your nails will grow faster. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, choosing organic foods whenever possible.
To strengthen your nails, eat more eggs, almonds, strawberries, chicken, flaxseed oil, coconut oil, lentils, watermelon, peppers, and whole grains
Step 5. Hydrate
It is essential for the health of skin and nails, and therefore also of the cuticles. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep them hydrated and prevent dryness.
- If you lead a very active life, drink even more water!
- Always carry a reusable bottle of water with you so that you can drink easily when you are out and about.
Step 6. Choose your manicurist carefully
Be careful when choosing a professional for your manicure and pedicure, as a poorly done manicure can do more damage.
- Some professionals may be too abrupt with your nails and cuticles, which can result in peeling, breakage and soreness.
- If your manicurist tries to cut your cuticles or tries to push them too hard, please ask them to stop. They are your nails, so you decide what needs to be done.
- If the manicurist cuts your cuticle and the result is pain and infection, this could be the result of inaccurate sterilization of the equipment. If this happens, consider changing your beauty center.
Advice
- Many people do not know the importance of nail care. Nails are one of the most important indicators of health. Consult a doctor if you are unsure whether your nail condition is normal or that there may be any indication of other problems.
- Check for any changes in the condition of your nails. Bumps, white lines, and nails that suddenly become very thick are all indicators of health problems, some more serious than others.
Warnings
- Never remove cuticles completely or let someone do it. You may still find nail salons that take out cutting tools, or scissors and start cutting off your cuticles. This is a huge NO-NO! Good professionals should know more than you and you must never let anyone cut off all of your cuticles. The cuticles should only be pushed back after soaking in hot water for five minutes. At this point, any dead (and white) skin can be cut off, but the entire cuticle must never be completely removed. If this happens and your nails feel swollen, red, or sore, you may have caught an infection from dirty tools. Cutting the cuticles is unsanitary. And that's also why they break first.
- Make sure you are well informed about the salons you are going to get your nails done. Be an experienced customer of the service. Ask how tools are cleaned.
