Can you cut your cuticles?

Jun 30

*Photo of silver and gold cuticle nippers by Media Dung on Pexels*

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Cutting the cuticle, the skin around the edge of the nail bed, is a common practice in some nail salons.

However, it is generally advised you don’t cut your cuticles in a regular manicure practice. Cutting the cuticle can lead to bacteria getting into your nail bed since you’re breaking the skin.

That said, there can be a benefit of cuticle nipping.

On rare occasions you get a ragged piece of skin around the nail or a hangnail, which is defined as a piece of loose skin next to the nail, gently snipping these back with a cuticle nipper is an easy solution to remove them.

To nip a hangnail, not the cuticle itself, wash your hands, moisturize to soften the skin around the nail, and gently nip the hangnail to remove.

Aside from taking care of hangnails, it’s best to avoid cuticle cutting if at all possible.

*Photo of silver and gold cuticle nippers by Media Dung on Pexels with text overlay Can You Cut Your Cuticles?*

What happens if you don't push your cuticles back?

Not regularly pushing your cuticles back can be a contributor to the occurrence of hangnails and ragged pieces of skin around the cuticle.

Pushing cuticles back can be a preventative preparation step for your manicure, help manage hangnails, prevent cuticle cutting and it only needs to be done as frequently as once per week.

If you’re going to push your cuticles back, do it when the skin is soft, such as after bathing or moisturizing, and with a gentle tool, like an orange stick or cuticle pusher.

*Photo of pointed wooden cuticle sticks on red background by* *LeoNeoBoy* *from* *Pixabay*

Should you cut or push back your cuticles?

If you’re choosing to include either cutting cuticles or pushing them gently back as a part of your regular nail care routine, pushing them gently back is the better option, as you keep the skin around the nail bed in-tact.

In general, having a regular cuticle care routine of moisturizing the skin around the nails can help prevent hangnails and the desire to cut the cuticles. Moisturized skin rarely breaks.

However, if you want to add nipping hangnails and pushing cuticles back into your routine, these techniques are helpful, especially if you tend to get hangnails.

In other words, you can cut hangnails if needed, and pushing back cuticles can prevent hangnails, reducing the need for even nipping them.

Pushing back cuticles should be part of the nail care routine and a regular cuticle care routine eliminates the need for cutting.

To conclude, if you must cut, cut in moderation and only when needed, as in the case of a hangnail and aim for pushing back the cuticles instead.

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