Isla Bennett
Dead skin around the nails is a common problem, often caused by nail biting, cold weather, or simply neglecting the skin around the nails. If left untreated, it can lead to painful infections and even changes in nail shape, colour, and texture. To remove dead skin from the nails, it is important to first understand the anatomy of the fingernails and identify the areas of dead skin. This includes the cuticle, which is the layer of clear skin at the bottom of the fingernail, and the surrounding skin. While cuticles are considered non-living and can be removed, it is crucial to be cautious as the skin above the cuticle, called the eponychium, is supplied with blood vessels and can bleed if cut too deeply. Various methods can be employed to remove dead skin, including using manicure nippers or scissors to cut away loose, soft, and translucent dead skin, applying cuticle remover or urea cream, and gently pushing back the cuticles. Additionally, moisturising the hands and nails regularly with cuticle oil, hand lotion, or paraffin wax can help to prevent dryness and maintain nail health.
How to remove nail dead skin
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Avoid biting nails or skin around them, wear gloves in cold weather or while gardening or doing housework |
| Tools | Manicure nippers, manicure scissors, cuticle removal tool, nail file, pumice stone, foot scrub brush or sponge |
| Products | Alcohol and fragrance-free moisturizers, urea cream, cuticle remover, ointment, jojoba or sunflower oil, paraffin wax, foot scrub |
| Techniques | Push back cuticles, trim loose or dry pieces, gently move stone in a circular motion, rub foot scrub gently with palm |
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Use cuticle remover
Using a cuticle remover is an effective way to remove dead skin from your nails and achieve a salon-quality manicure at home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a cuticle remover:
Select the Right Product
Choose a cuticle remover that is gentle on your skin but also effective at removing dead skin. Look for products containing moisturising ingredients like lanolin or Vitamin E to prevent dryness and irritation.
Prepare Your Nails
Before applying the cuticle remover, remove any old nail polish and wash your hands with warm water and soap. Dry your hands thoroughly. You can also use a cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles, exposing more of the dead skin that needs to be removed.
Apply the Cuticle Remover
Using the applicator brush or dropper that comes with the product, carefully apply a small amount of the cuticle remover to all your nails, ensuring that you only coat the cuticles. Be careful not to get the remover on your actual nails, as it can cause damage or discolouration.
Let It Sit
Allow the cuticle remover to sit on your cuticles for about a minute. During this time, the product will soften the dead skin, making it easier to remove.
Remove the Dead Skin
After the cuticle remover has had time to work, use a cuticle pusher or a cuticle removal tool to gently remove the dead skin around your nails. Be very gentle and careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can damage your nail plate. Only remove the dead white skin, avoiding the live skin.
Wash and Moisturise
Once you have finished removing the dead skin, wash your hands with warm water. If you wish to apply nail polish, you can use a buffer block to buff the surface of your nails and cleanse the nail bed. If you are not applying polish, moisturise your nails with cuticle oil, massaging it into the skin to keep your nails healthy and hydrated.
Remember to always be gentle during the cuticle removal process to avoid any damage or injury to your nails and skin.
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Cut away loose skin
Cutting away loose skin around your nails is one way to remove dead skin. However, it is important to be very careful when doing so, as the risk of infection is high if you cut the skin that surrounds and protects your nail.
Firstly, you should only cut away skin that is loose, soft, and translucent, not your actual cuticles. The cuticle is the layer of clear skin at the bottom of your fingernail, which protects the nail matrix where nail cells are created. If you don't push your cuticles back, they tend to overlap the base of your nail. Only cut the skin that has grown out over your nail and is now loose.
Manicure nippers or scissors can be used to cut away extra skin. Before cutting, you can use a product such as Simply Peel™ Liquid Latex Barrier to cover your skin. After cutting, apply lotion or oil to help soften your hands, and prevent further dryness.
If you are unsure about cutting away loose skin, you can try alternative methods such as using a fine-grit file or buffer to smooth any annoying bits, or applying a cuticle remover to eat away dead skin so that you can simply scrape it off.
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Moisturise regularly
Keeping your hands and nails moisturised is an essential step in maintaining healthy skin and nails. Moisturising regularly helps to prevent dryness and cracking, which can lead to painful infections and changes in nail shape, colour, texture, or even nail detachment.
It is important to moisturise your hands and cuticles liberally, especially after washing your hands or showering. You can use your favourite hand moisturiser or a dedicated cuticle oil. Cuticle oils, such as the Sienna Cuticle Oil, are perfect for taking care of the area around your nails, and they are often ethically made, vegan, and cruelty-free. You can also use jojoba or sunflower oil on your nails after each wash.
For intensive moisturisation, apply a generous amount of moisturiser to your hands, fingers, cuticles, and the skin around your nails before bed and leave it to soak in while you sleep. You can also use a urea cream, which is especially recommended for those with overgrown cuticles and skin. To enhance absorption, cover the moisturiser with petroleum jelly or paraffin wax, then put on cotton gloves and wear them overnight. The gloves will seal in the moisture, helping to heal your nails and cuticles.
In addition to regular moisturisation, it is important to remember to wear gloves when doing activities such as gardening or housework to protect your hands and nails from dryness and potential injury.
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Wear gloves
Wearing gloves is an effective way to protect your hands from the elements and prevent dry skin around your nails. Gloves are particularly important in cold, dry weather, as this can cause skin to become dehydrated and cracked. It is also recommended to wear gloves when gardening or doing housework, such as washing dishes, as these activities can also lead to dry skin. Gloves are a barrier between your skin and water, soap, and other chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture.
Cotton gloves are ideal for sealing in moisture after applying hand lotion or cuticle oil. You can wear them overnight to help heal your nails and cuticles and prevent dermatitis, a type of skin inflammation. It is important to keep your gloved hands dry, as water trapped inside a glove can soften the skin and make it susceptible to damage.
Disposable nitrile gloves are commonly used in nail salons to protect the wearer from chemicals, such as pure acetone, glues, and solvents. These gloves are durable, resistant to many chemicals, and less likely to cause allergic reactions than latex. Gloves are also important for preventing the spread of bacteria and infections, especially if you have any cuts or open sores on your hands.
Overall, wearing gloves is an important way to protect your hands and nails from damage and irritation, and to maintain healthy skin.
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Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a great way to remove dead skin from your nails and keep your hands in good condition. Firstly, it's important to note that the skin on your hands is tougher than the skin on your face, so it may be harder to penetrate. However, regular exfoliation can help to keep your hands soft and smooth.
To begin the exfoliation process, soak your hands in warm water for about 5 minutes. This will help to soften the skin, making it easier to remove any dead skin. You can also add some soap or a gentle cleanser to the water to aid in the removal of dirt and dead skin. After soaking, gently pat your hands dry with a towel, making sure that your cuticles are still slightly moist.
Next, you can use a light grit nail file to gently exfoliate the dead skin around your nails. Be careful not to be too aggressive, as this can damage the skin. If you don't have a nail file, you can use a gentle facial cleanser or exfoliating scrub to help buff away the dead skin. Pay close attention to the areas where dead skin is more likely to build up, such as the corners of your fingertips and the nail bed.
After exfoliating, it's important to moisturize your hands and cuticles. You can use a cuticle oil or a regular hand moisturizer. Massage the product into your skin and cuticles to promote absorption and improve blood circulation. For extremely dry skin, you can try a product like Kerasal, which contains urea and AHA/BHA to exfoliate and moisturize the skin.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a cuticle remover, such as Simply Gone™, or a urea cream to dissolve the dead skin and then gently scrape it off. You can also cut away extra dead skin with manicure nippers or manicure scissors, but be careful not to cut your actual cuticles as this can cause infections.
Cuticles are the layer of clear skin at the bottom of your fingernail. They are considered "non-living" as they are not supplied with blood vessels.
Your cuticles protect the nail matrix where nail cells are created. Cutting them can make you more susceptible to infections.
Keep your cuticles pushed back and moisturized. You can use a cuticle oil or a hand lotion.
To prevent dead skin, make sure to keep your hands moisturized, especially in cold, dry weather. You can also wear gloves when it is cold outside, or when gardening or doing housework.
