Though you may only think about
your cuticles when you get a manicure, they're not just hanging out on your
hands. Dry, peeling cuticles can be quite painful and look unsightly. Luckily,
this is one problem you can solve without too much time or effort - you just
need to be prepared to give your hands a little TLC.
How
to get rid of Cuticle Pain
Don't
Cut Your Cuticles
Dermatologists say there's no good
reason to cut the cuticles. Cutting them could open the door to infection or
irritation. If you remove the cuticle, that space is wide open, and anything
can get in there. Cutting your cuticles can also lead to nail problems, such as
ridges, white spots, or white lines. If you get a bacterial infection in that
area, it can hamper that fingernail's growth.
Homemade
cuticle cream
If you have the time, you can
make a really effective cuticle cream at home using some hand cream and oils. In
the microwave, warm up a bowl of 1/3 cup hand cream, a few glugs of olive oil (or
grape seed oil, if you have it), and 3-4 drops of lavender oil (found in the
health food store) to a temperature that is warm but not too hot to touch. Apply
a generous amount to each fingernail and gently massage into the nail, cuticle
and surrounding skin, spending a minute or two on each. The cream is extremely
good for your hands (and feet!) and will keep your cuticles soft. You can keep
and re-warm this homemade cream for up to 3 days in your fridge if you store it
in a dark glass bottle.
Use
petroleum jelly
If you're looking for a cheap yet
effective option for moisturizing your cuticles, buy a tub of petroleum jelly
and rub a generous amount into the cuticles every night before bed. Petroleum
jelly will soften your cuticles and stop them from peeling, but it can be a
little greasy for use throughout the day.
Go
Orange
If you're hoping to make your
nails appear longer, you can push your cuticles back gently with a wooden
orange stick instead. Cuticles don't want to be cut. They're supposed to be
soft, and cutting can make them hard, more likely to fracture. If you cut it,
it has an increased tendency to split off. Some people who cut their cuticles
regularly are afraid to stop, because they worry that their cuticles will grow
and grow, giving their hands an unsightly look. Experts say this simply won't
happen, and switching from cuticle clippers to an orange stick is a smart move.
Keep
Your Hands Out of Your Mouth
Your mouth is a dirty area, and
saliva is an enzyme that breaks down skin. You can get an infection if you
violate the cuticle. So if you have a habit of biting your nails or nibbling on
your cuticles, work on kicking those habits for prettier, healthier hands.
Protect
your hands from cold weather
Cold weather can be very drying
to your hands, causing cuticles to crack and peel. Therefore, it is important
to pay special attention to protecting your hands in wintertime, or whenever
you are experiencing very c
old weather. Always wear gloves when you are
outdoors and remember to carry a small hand cream in your purse that you can
apply at regular intervals.
Choose
your manicurists carefully
Be careful when choosing a nail
technician for your manicures and pedicures, as a poorly executed manicure can
do more harm than good. Some nail technicians can be very rough with your nails
and cuticles, which can result in peeling, cracking and soreness. If your nail
technician tries to cut your cuticles, or tries to push your cuticles back too
far, politely ask her to stop. They're your nails, so you get to decide what
happens to them.
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