The importance of using maintaining your nails.
We all want our nails to look amazing and feel healthy at the same time. There is nothing like a fresh manicure or new set of nails. When the polish looks flawless, there is only one thing that can let your nails down, your cuticles.
If you’re investing time and money at a salon then this is something to consider. Not all nail services will include having your cuticles maintained. It may cost a little bit extra but it will be worth it for the finished result. But this maintenance doesn’t stop at your manicure, this is only the beginning.
Even if you are doing your own nails at home, there is one key element to healthy, strong nails and cuticles. Can you guess what it is? That’s right, cuticle oil is what you need! Why is it so important? Let’s find out. But first, we need to know exactly what part of the nail we are talking about.
What is the cuticle?
Here is where we get a little bit technical. The cuticle is the skin that grows underneath the proximal nail fold and touches the nail plate. It is a seal that borders the base of the nail protecting it. It prevents bacteria entering which can lead to infection occurring.
There are two main parts to this area. The eponychium, which is the living tissue and the part that you see that covers the matrix, where the nail grows. There is an ongoing debate over whether it is good to remove this part or not.
The true cuticle is the non-living dead tissue that builds up under the eponychium. It adheres to the nail plate as it grows. This is what you need to carefully remove during a manicure treatment.
If left alone this dead skin will ride along the nail plate and grow down with it. Over time this can affect the health of the natural nail. If the cuticles become overgrown then they will need more preparation.
You can help this by using cuticle oil daily and gently pushing back the eponychium. After revealing non-living tissue any excess can be easily trimmed.
Ensure that you do not push too hard or place instruments underneath the nail fold itself. This can lead to injury of the matrix causing damage and leave you open to infection.
You can find out more on how to maintain your nails with manicures.
“Having a manicure pulls a look together. Hands are the first thing people see after your face.“
How does the cuticle become dry and damaged?
We are all washing our hands multiple times a day and using antibacterial hand gels on a regular basis. This will cause your skin to become dry over time. The daily use of detergents and cleaning products will also have an impact on your nails. Especially if your are not using protective gloves.
Your skin will also become drier in the colder winter months. At the other end of the scale they will become dehydrated under intense heat during the summer too.
Excessive use of acetone based nail remover products will also affect the nail and skin. Acetone is extremely dehydrating for the skin and nails. If you go swimming on a rgular basis, the chlorine they use in the pool can also be very drying.
There are other factors too. Dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Taking certain medications can have an impact on the skin and nails too.
Once the surrounding skin becomes dry it can lead to cracks or tears. This damage to the skin will prevent a healthy nail from growing. The best way to prevent this area from becoming dry and cracked is to use cuticle oil on a regular basis.
The use of oil will not only protect and repair from daily activities. It will help to improve the health and condition of the nail, cuticle but the surrounding skin area. Keeping them moisturised and hydrated.
Is cuticle oil good for the natural nail too?
Using cuticle oil for nails will help to stimulate new growth. When we apply oil to the cuticle and nails you will need to massage it in. The massaging action stimulates the blood flow to the area. This action helps to increase circulation. which will in turn feed the nail bed with nutrients in needs.
This will help to grow stronger nails, healthier nails. Your natural nail will become more flexible and resistant to breaks. The use of cuticle oil for nails will also help with dry and flaky nails.
The nail needs a certain level of naturally occurring oils to hold the layers of the nail together. As the nail consists of many layers. These layers can separate from each other once the natural oils are lost due to the daily wear and tear of life.
Even though hand cream is great for the skin on the hands. The skin around the nail needs oil to penetrate it.
What do I do if I am wearing nail enhancement?
Continue to use it! It’s the best thing for them. It will improve the wearability of worn enhancements such as gel or acrylic. Using cuticle oil daily will make your manicure last so much longer.
It will add flexibility to the nail enhancement, preventing breaks and chips. Using a natural based cuticle oil will help to push air pockets from the enhancement. This will aid the nail enhancement to plasticise.
Apply the cuticle oil 2 – 3 times a day, especially at night time before bed when the skin will repair itself. Should you use cuticle oil before or after gel polish? Do not use before application of gel or acrylic products. Always Apply cuticle oil after gel polish.
Combine use of oil with regular manicures or nail treatments every two weeks. The cuticle grows down and attaches to the nail plate; it’s not enough to push them back. Your nail technician or manicurist should tell you to use a cuticle oil at least three times a day.
What else are the cuticle oil benefits?
If you are using a natural based oil, then you can use it on any dry areas of skin. There have been many times I have used cuticle oil on my dry cracked lips during the winter months.
You can use it on dry areas of skin around the elbows and knees and can even be used on your hair as split end treatment. Some cuticle oils will contain oils that have healing properties and are good for use on scar tissue.
Try to avoid cuticle oil products that contain mineral oil. These products will act more like a barrier and sit on the surface of the skin. Natural oils are more absorbed to the nail plate and aid the durability of nail enhancements.
Some of the key ingredients that will work best in a blend of cuticle oil are as follows.
- Jojoba oil
- vitamin E oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
“You can’t buy happiness but you can get a manicure and pedicure and that’s kind of the same thing.”
Are there any alternatives I can use?
If you prefer you can use a cuticle cream in combination with cuticle oil. Cuticle creams tend to be thicker and very nourishing too. Try to stick with products that contain ingredients such as beeswax or cocoa butter.
Some cuticle creams can contain AHA’s that help to exfoliate the cuticle. This gentle exfoliating makes it easier to remove dry dead skin.
As with cuticle oil, massage using circular motions into the nail and around the cuticle.
What did we learn?
- Using cuticle oil will prevent dry and cracked cuticles.
- Regular use of cuticle oil for nails helps to promote natural nail growth.
- It also helps to strengthen natural nails and make them more flexible.
- Prolongs your manicure treatment making your nails more durable.
- And finally, cuticle oil benefits are not just for cuticles!