Some people feel as though their cuticles are bothersome. In some cases, they may decide to have them cut off during a pedicure. This seems like a inexpensive and easy way to get rid of the inconvenience that overgrown cuticles can cause. However, medical professionals tell us that this is not advisable, and that it is actually downright dangerous. There are a variety of reasons as to why your cuticles are so important and why you should take care of them without resorting to cutting them.
WHY CUTICLES ARE IMPORTANT
The cuticle is a layer of dead skin tissue that forms a seal between your nail and the skin adjacent to it. Your cuticles exist to help protect you from infection. When they are cut open, you are opening your body up to potential bacteria, fungus, and other harmful materials that could eventually lead to more serious problems. Essentially, your cuticle is there to prevent unsafe pathogens from entering your body, and it should be treated as a protective barrier.
INFECTIONS
Because of the increased exposure to harmful materials, cutting your cuticles can lead to a variety of infections. Some might simply be a minor inconvenience, while others may be more serious. This risk is increased even more if you are using tools that have not been properly sterilized. The best way to avoid these infections is to simply stay away from cutting or otherwise removing your cuticles.
TAKE CARE WITH MANICURES AND PEDICURES
If you want to treat yourself to a manicure, make sure to tell the manicurist that you do not want to have your cuticles cut. If you find them to be unsightly, you can simply have them push your cuticles back. This cleans up the appearance of your nails while keeping your cuticles intact and, importantly, able to prevent against infection. It is generally okay to have them trim hangnails around the cuticles, but don’t allow them to cut them off completely.
HOW TO SAFELY MAINTAIN YOUR CUTICLES
There is no doubt that you will still want to take care of your cuticles and keep them looking nice and clean. The best time to work on your cuticles is after you get out of the shower. In addition to the advantage of being clean, the water will help soften your skin and your cuticles. This will make them easier to push back, as well as to keep them supple so that you won’t risk cutting them while you are working on them.
Experts recommend staying away from cuticle clippers unless you are using them to clip away hangnails. Still, be careful when you are doing so, and ensure that you don’t cut too far into the cuticle. You also don’t need any special tools to push your cuticle in. You can simply use a clean fingernail from the other hand to gently push the cuticle back towards your skin. Using heavy tools runs the risk of damaging the cuticle, which can lead to infection. A manicurist knows how to be gentle with your nails and cuticles, and bringing up any questions or concerns before they begin to work on your nails will keep you worry-free and your nails healthy.
Be sure to keep the health of your cuticles and nails in mind when getting your next manicure or pedicure. To make certain that your toes are in their best shape, make an appointment at South Texas Foot and Ankle Care today!
