Liam Carter
Trimming your nails is an essential part of maintaining good hygiene. However, cutting nails is a delicate process, and it is easy to damage your nails or increase the risk of infection if done incorrectly. One common question that arises is whether it is appropriate to cut the sides of your nails. The consensus among experts is that you should avoid cutting the sides of your nails, as this can cause ingrown nails and weaken the nail. Instead, it is recommended to use a nail file to gently shape and smooth the nail edges, always filing in one direction to prevent damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cutting technique | Cutting the entire nail in one go is not recommended as it can bend and weaken the nail at the sides. Instead, cut each nail multiple times, working from one side to the other. |
| Cutting direction | Cut straight across the nail. |
| Cutting tools | Use nail clippers, manicure scissors, or nail files. |
| Nail preparation | Nails should be softened before cutting, preferably right after a shower or bath. |
| Filing technique | File nails in one direction, using long strokes from the side to the center of the nail. |
| Filing tools | Emery boards, glass nail files, and metal nail files are commonly used. |
| Filing purpose | Filing helps shape and smooth the nail, preventing jagged edges that can catch on clothing or other surfaces. |
| Cuticle care | Cuticles should be left alone as they protect the nail root. Cutting or pushing them back can increase the risk of bacterial infections. |
| Ingrown nail prevention | Avoid cutting down the sides or into the corners of the nails to prevent ingrown toenails. |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting nails with clippers
Cutting your nails is an important part of your hygiene routine. Short, well-manicured nails are less likely to harbour dirt and bacteria, which can lead to infection. The right nail clipping technique can also help prevent common issues like hangnails and ingrown toenails.
When cutting your nails with clippers, it's important to use the right tools and techniques to avoid damaging your nails or causing injury. Here are some tips for cutting your nails with clippers:
- Use the correct clippers for your fingers or toes: Fingernail clippers are smaller and have a curved cutting edge to match the shape of your fingernail tips. Toenail clippers are larger and have a straight cutting edge. Using the wrong type of clipper can damage your nails.
- Keep your clippers clean: It's important to sanitise your clippers regularly by wiping them with disinfectant or soap and warm water. This helps prevent the transfer of dirt, bacteria, and fungi from your nails to the clippers.
- Soften your nails before cutting: Soaking your nails in water or showering can make them softer and easier to trim. It also makes them less likely to split.
- Cut nails with multiple small cuts: Instead of cutting the entire nail in one go, which can bend and weaken your nail, cut each nail with a series of small cuts. Start at one side of the nail and work your way across to the other side.
- Round off the edges: After cutting your nails, round off the edges with a small cut. This helps keep your nails strong and reduces the chance of ingrown nails.
- Avoid cutting into the sides: Cutting the sides of your nails can weaken them and increase the risk of breakage. It's generally recommended to file the sides gently with a nail file instead of cutting them.
- File your nails after cutting: Use a nail file to smooth out and shape your nails after cutting. File gently in one direction, using long strokes from the side to the centre of the nail.
- Moisturise and maintain: After trimming your nails, moisturise your hands and nails to keep them flexible and prevent dryness and splitting. Maintain your nails by cutting them regularly to maintain the desired length.
By following these steps, you can effectively cut your nails with clippers while maintaining their health and appearance.
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Cutting nails with scissors
When cutting your nails with scissors, it is recommended to make small cuts straight across your nail. Cut your nails using a series of small cuts, rather than one large cut. Start at one side of the nail and work your way across to the other side. This will help to prevent bending and weakening your nail at the sides. You can also round out the edge of the nail with a small cut to keep the nail strong and reduce the chance of ingrown nails.
It is important to be careful when using scissors to cut your nails, as it can be easy to accidentally cut the sides of your nails or the skin underneath. To avoid this, make sure your nails are softened before cutting. You can do this by soaking them in water or cutting them right after a shower when they are softer.
After cutting your nails with scissors, it is a good idea to use a nail file to shape and smooth your nails. File gently in one direction, from the side to the centre of the nail. This will help to prevent jagged edges that can catch on clothing or other materials.
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Filing nails
To avoid this, it is recommended to file nails in one direction from the outer corner to the centre of the nail and then repeat the motion on the other side. This avoids the sawing motion that can damage the nail. Filing in one direction helps to even out the surface without leaving jagged bits that can snag on fabric. It is also important to go slowly, as filing too fast can result in removing too much nail too quickly, making it hard to achieve the desired shape.
The type of nail file used is also important. Glass nail files are highly recommended as they are gentler on the nail and last longer. They tend to be equivalent to about a 240 grit, which is ideal for natural nails. Emery boards, on the other hand, are usually too rough and can have a grit that is too low for natural nails.
It is also important to clean nail files to prevent the spread of bacteria. Additionally, using a nail oil and cuticle oil can help repair frayed nails and prevent future breakage.
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Toenail cutting
Frequency of Toenail Cutting:
It is recommended to cut your toenails every six to eight weeks. This is because toenails typically grow about 2 millimetres (0.08 inches) per month. However, if you are an active person or an athlete, you may need to trim them more frequently for comfort.
Before or After a Shower:
It is generally recommended to cut your toenails before taking a shower. Dry toenails are less likely to bend or tear, resulting in a cleaner cut. However, if you have very thick toenails, it may be easier to cut them after a shower as the nails will be softer and more pliable.
- Use the proper nail-cutting tool, such as nail clippers or manicure scissors designed specifically for cutting nails. Avoid using regular scissors or knives. It is advisable to have separate clippers for your fingernails and toenails due to the difference in nail thickness.
- Make sure to clean your nail clippers or scissors before and after each use to maintain good hygiene and prevent the transfer of bacteria or fungus.
- Cut your toenails straight across, avoiding any rounding of the corners. This helps prevent ingrown toenails, a common and painful condition where the nail curves and grows into the skin.
- Achieve a straight cut by making small cuts across the nail, rather than cutting the entire nail in one go, which can weaken the nail. You may need to adjust the technique if you have thick toenails or toe fungus, as improper cutting can lead to cut skin or the spread of fungus.
- Aim to maintain your toenails at a length of about 1 to 2 millimetres (0.04 to 0.08 inches). Leaving them too long increases the risk of tearing, while cutting them too short can heighten the risk of ingrown toenails.
- After cutting, use a nail file to smooth out any jagged edges. File gently in one direction, from the side to the centre of the nail. This helps prevent snagging and potential nail tears as the nail grows.
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Avoiding ingrown nails
Ingrown toenails are a common and usually harmless condition, but they can become infected and cause serious complications for people with diabetes or poor blood flow to the feet. Ingrown toenails are caused by incorrectly cutting toenails, especially by rounding the corners of the nails or cutting them too short, which can cause the nail to grow into the skin. To avoid ingrown toenails, it is important to trim your nails straight across, without curving them to match the shape of your toes. Nails should also not be cut too short, as this can cause pressure from shoes to direct the nail to grow into the surrounding tissue.
To cut your nails correctly, it is recommended to make a series of small cuts straight across the nail, rather than one large cut. Start at one side of the nail and go across to the other side. Then, round out the nail at the edge with a small cut to help the nail stay strong and reduce the chance of ingrown nails. It is also important to soften your nails before cutting them, by soaking them in water or cutting them right after a shower or bath. This will make them easier to trim and less likely to split. After cutting, use a nail file to gently shape your nails and smooth the edges. Nails should be filed in one direction, from the side to the centre, using long strokes.
If you develop an ingrown toenail, your healthcare provider may recommend lifting the nail and placing cotton, dental floss or a splint underneath to separate it from the skin and encourage the nail to grow above the skin edge. They may also prescribe a corticosteroid cream to apply after soaking the toe. In more severe cases, your healthcare provider may need to partially or fully remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
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Frequently asked questions
No, cutting the sides of your nails can cause ingrown nails. Instead, cut each nail multiple times, working from one side of the nail to the other.
First, soften your nails by soaking them in lukewarm water or after a shower. Then, use nail clippers or manicure scissors to cut straight across the nail with multiple small cuts.
After cutting your nails, use a nail file to smooth out and shape the nail. Always file in one direction, as filing back and forth can weaken your nails.
To prevent your nails from breaking, you can apply jojoba oil around and under your nails three times a day. You can also keep nail polish on your nails, especially when your nails are in water, to create an extra layer of protection.
For more tips and tricks, consult a nail technician or a board-certified dermatologist.
