Noah Sinclair
Taking care of your nails is important for more reasons than just aesthetics. Leaving the skin around your nails unattended can lead to infected cuticles and hangnails, which can be extremely painful and may even cause your nails to change shape, colour, or texture. To prevent this, you can soak your nails in warm water to soften the skin, apply cuticle oil, and use a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick to gently push back your cuticles. If you have excess cuticle skin, you can carefully trim it with sanitized cuticle scissors. It is also important to moisturize your hands and cuticles regularly, especially after washing your hands or showering.
How to remove excess skin around nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Biting nails, cold and dry weather, gel manicures, acrylic nails, fungal infections, nail psoriasis |
| Prevention | Moisturise hands and cuticles liberally, wear gloves in cold weather, avoid gel manicures and acrylic nails |
| Treatment | Soak fingers in warm water, apply cuticle oil, gently push back cuticles with a wooden cuticle pusher or orange stick, trim excess skin with cuticle scissors, apply moisturiser |
| Medical Treatment | Topical corticosteroids, antifungal medication |
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What You'll Learn
Soak fingers in warm water to soften skin
Soaking your fingers in warm water is an effective way to soften the skin around your nails and prepare them for a manicure. It is a simple, yet important step in your nail care routine.
Firstly, fill a medium-sized bowl with warm water to a depth of around 4 inches. You can add a few drops of soap to the water, as this will help to soften your hands and loosen dead skin. Lemon juice is another great addition to the soak, as it will help to whiten and strengthen your nails. You can also add a teaspoon of honey to boost hydration. If you have weak and brittle nails, olive oil is a good alternative to honey. For those with more sensitive skin, be mindful that lemon juice may not be suitable if you have any cuts on your fingers or damaged nails.
Once you have prepared the soak, dip your hands into the water, ensuring your nails and cuticles are submerged. Leave your hands in the water for around 5-10 minutes. The warm water will help to soften the skin around your nails, making it easier and less painful to remove any dead skin.
After soaking your hands, gently pat them dry with a towel. Ensure that your cuticles are free of water drops but remain moist. You can then push back your cuticles with a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick. If you have lots of cuticle, you may want to trim any excess skin with cuticle scissors.
By soaking your fingers in warm water, you can effectively soften the skin around your nails and create the perfect canvas for a manicure.
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Use a cuticle pusher to push back cuticles
Using a cuticle pusher is a great way to remove excess skin around your nails. The cuticle is the thin layer of clear skin at the base of your fingernail. If left unmaintained, it can overlap the nail bed. This can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Using a cuticle pusher can help prevent this.
Before using a cuticle pusher, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This will help remove any bacteria that could get underneath your cuticles. It is also important to ensure that your cuticles are soft and moist. You can do this by soaking your fingertips in a small bowl of warm water for about 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can use cuticle oil or cuticle remover to soften your cuticles.
Once your hands and cuticles are clean and soft, you can begin using the cuticle pusher. Hold the pusher at a 35 to 45-degree angle to your nail. Using light pressure, start at the base of the nail and slowly push the cuticles back towards the skin. Be sure to always be gentle and avoid pushing too hard, as this can damage the nail bed and surrounding skin. Use the rounded or flat end of the cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles, and the pointed end to clean underneath the nails and tuck in the corners.
After pushing back your cuticles, you can use cuticle scissors to trim any excess skin and hangnails. However, it is important to note that trimming the cuticle increases the risk of infection, so it is recommended to simply push back the cuticles and avoid trimming. Finish by applying a nourishing cuticle oil or hand cream to moisturize your cuticles and promote nail health.
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Apply cuticle oil to soften skin
Cuticle oils are a great way to soften the skin around your nails and prevent dryness and damage. They are also useful in healing dry, cracked cuticles and removing dead skin cells, making your skin feel soft and smooth.
There are many different types of cuticle oils available in the market. You can use a store-bought cuticle oil or make your own at home. Some popular store-bought options include Essie Apricot Nail & Cuticle Conditioning Care Oil, Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail & Cuticle Oil, and Dior Crème Abricot. If you want to make your own cuticle oil at home, you can mix raw honey, aloe vera gel, and olive oil. Honey encourages the skin to retain moisture, aloe vera gel has antimicrobial properties and helps fight infections, and olive oil is a great moisturizer.
Before applying cuticle oil, it is recommended to wash your hands and pat them dry with a towel. Make sure your cuticles are free of water drops but still moist. You can then apply a few drops of cuticle oil to each cuticle and massage it in for a few minutes. Cuticle oils absorb quickly into your skin, so they won't leave your hands feeling greasy.
For best results, use cuticle oil 2 to 3 times per week or after each hand washing. Many experts recommend a nightly cuticle oil regimen, applying it each night before bed so that it has time to fully absorb. You can also apply cuticle oil in between manicures to keep your cuticles moisturized and healthy.
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Trim excess skin with cuticle scissors
Trimming excess skin with cuticle scissors is a common method to remove overgrown skin around nails. However, it is important to exercise caution as the skin around your nails is sensitive and prone to infection.
Firstly, it is recommended to soften the skin around your nails. This can be done by soaking your nails in warm water or applying a cuticle remover gel. The warm water method is simple and effective, as it helps to soften the skin for easy and pain-free grooming. Make sure to dry your hands with a towel afterwards, ensuring that your cuticles are free of water drops but still moist.
Once your cuticles are soft and moist, you can gently push them back using a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick (a manicuring stick with a pointed end and a flat end). The flat end of the orange stick can be used to push the cuticle back, while the pointed end can be used to remove any built-up dirt from the underside of your fingernail.
At this point, you can assess if you have excess cuticle or hangnail growth that needs to be trimmed. If so, use sanitized cuticle scissors to carefully cut away the excess skin. Cuticle scissors are specifically designed for this purpose, ensuring precision and reducing the risk of injury.
It is important to only trim the dead or excess skin, being careful not to cut into healthy skin or live tissue. Cutting too much can lead to pain and potential infection. If you are unsure, it is better to leave the trimming for another time or seek professional assistance.
After trimming, it is essential to moisturize your cuticles and nails. Use a generous amount of moisturizer or cuticle oil to nourish the area and promote healthy skin regeneration. Regular moisturizing helps prevent dryness and cracking, keeping your cuticles and nails healthy and reducing the need for excessive trimming.
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Moisturise hands and cuticles
Moisturising your hands and cuticles is an important step in maintaining healthy nails and cuticles. Cuticles are living parts of the skin that protect your nails from bacterial and fungal infections. When the cuticle becomes dry and cracked, it can't attach to the nail to do its job.
Before moisturising, it's important to prep your cuticles. You can do this by soaking your fingers in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure your cuticles are soft and pliable. Then, gently push back your cuticles with a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick. Make sure not to use a metal tool as this can damage your cuticles.
Once your cuticles are prepped, it's time to moisturise. Avoid using your everyday hand or body lotion as these products won't provide enough hydration. Instead, opt for a product specifically designed for cuticles, such as a cuticle cream or oil. Look for ingredients such as citric acids, petroleum, glycerin, shea butter, or safflower seed oil, which are known for their moisturising properties. Cuticle oils are usually made from a combination of enriched vegetable oils, flaxseed oil, or citric acids, providing intense hydration. You can also use vitamin E oil, almond oil, or olive oil, which can be found in most drug stores.
Apply a generous amount of moisturiser to your hands, fingers, and cuticles, paying special attention to your cuticles. You can also apply moisturiser underneath your nails. For an extra boost of hydration, wear cotton gloves overnight to seal in the moisture. Remember to moisturise your cuticles regularly to prevent them from becoming dry and cracked.
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Frequently asked questions
Soak your hands in warm water to soften the skin around your nails. Dry your hands and gently push back your cuticles with a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick. You can then trim away any excess skin with cuticle scissors. Finish by applying a generous amount of moisturizer to your hands, fingers, cuticles, and the skin around your nails.
Excess skin around the nails can be caused by various factors, including nail biting, cold and dry weather, and gel manicures. In some cases, it may be due to underlying conditions such as nail psoriasis or fungal infections.
To prevent excess skin around your nails, avoid biting your nails or the skin around them. Moisturize your hands and cuticles regularly, especially after washing your hands or during cold weather. Wear gloves when gardening or doing household chores to protect your hands and nails.
