Go in with the mindset that less is more
Natali Sam/Shutterstock
As tempting as it may be, avoid what’s really a very common mistake. “I’ve noticed that people are more likely to bite and pick at their cuticles when they’re dry and cracked,” says Brittney Boyce, a nail artist and gel specialist, to Byrdie. Boyce goes on to recommend keeping your cuticles hydrated to avoid the urge of biting away any cracked bits.
Many people choose to cut away the excess skin on our nails to make them appear longer. But cutting is perhaps too aggressive of an action. Cuticles should be carefully pushed back, and not cut. First, soak your hands in warm water so the skin around your nail softens, and gently push back your cuticles to a desired length (via MedicineNet). The same preparation is helpful if you do decide to actually trim your cuticles. The popular phrase “less is more” certainly applies to hand hygiene, especially if you’re going to address your cuticles on your own. Be gentle, take your time, and trim off a little at a time. And if you’re removing your cuticles is because they are dry and cracked, consider hydration as the cure instead of biting or cutting them away.
How You Should Really Be Removing Your Cuticles
Vitaliy Scherbonos/Shutterstock
By Agnes Erickson/Jan. 19, 2022 10:52 am EST
Go in with the mindset that less is more
Natali Sam/Shutterstock
As tempting as it may be, avoid what’s really a very common mistake. “I’ve noticed that people are more likely to bite and pick at their cuticles when they’re dry and cracked,” says Brittney Boyce, a nail artist and gel specialist, to Byrdie. Boyce goes on to recommend keeping your cuticles hydrated to avoid the urge of biting away any cracked bits.
Many people choose to cut away the excess skin on our nails to make them appear longer. But cutting is perhaps too aggressive of an action. Cuticles should be carefully pushed back, and not cut. First, soak your hands in warm water so the skin around your nail softens, and gently push back your cuticles to a desired length (via MedicineNet). The same preparation is helpful if you do decide to actually trim your cuticles. The popular phrase “less is more” certainly applies to hand hygiene, especially if you’re going to address your cuticles on your own. Be gentle, take your time, and trim off a little at a time. And if you’re removing your cuticles is because they are dry and cracked, consider hydration as the cure instead of biting or cutting them away.
Many people choose to cut away the excess skin on our nails to make them appear longer. But cutting is perhaps too aggressive of an action. Cuticles should be carefully pushed back, and not cut. First, soak your hands in warm water so the skin around your nail softens, and gently push back your cuticles to a desired length (via MedicineNet). The same preparation is helpful if you do decide to actually trim your cuticles.
The popular phrase “less is more” certainly applies to hand hygiene, especially if you’re going to address your cuticles on your own. Be gentle, take your time, and trim off a little at a time. And if you’re removing your cuticles is because they are dry and cracked, consider hydration as the cure instead of biting or cutting them away.
