A pair of perfectly manicured hands can add the right finishing touch to an already great look. Whether nails get polished with the latest and funkiest of colours or a natural and understated clear coat, a fresh manicure can make a good first impression. On the other hand, ragged, dry and cracked cuticles can ruin the entire look.

Healthy and manicured cuticles aren’t just a matter of fashion, contrary to what some people think, cuticles aren’t piles of dead skin that gather at the base of the nail for no reason – they are attached to the nails and keep them healthy by protecting them from bacterial and fungal infections. When the cuticle becomes dry and cracked, it can’t attach to the nail to do its job therefore leaving the nail vulnerable to damage and infection.

Moisturize…moisturize…moisturize

Moisturizing should be a daily routine to keep the cuticle soft in order to push them back and keep them in a healthy state, trying to push back dry and hard will only make it sore and and can often result in cracked cuticles.

NEVER cut or clip

If you prevent dryness and overgrowth in the first place, you won’t feel the urge to clip. However even if you do feel tempted – don’t do it! Not even your nail technician will use clippers on this delicate area. Reason being that you can so easily damage the cuticles, causing them to detach from the nail and leading to nail infections and/or nail loss. Clipping will also prevent the polished, neat look because the skin will grow back in a ragged and ugly fashion.

Invest in equipment

In order to push the cuticles back to form a perfect U and give the nail a bit more length you will need a cuticle stick – also called an orange stick. This stick has a perfectly angled tip, so simply place yours flat against the nail and gently slide it, so it (painlessly) pushes the skin back.

Prevention at the nail bar

With matric dances and social events sure to come up during the year, you will need to find a trustworthy nail technician. Always make sure that your nail technician is licensed and sterilizes all tools used during a manicure.

Solution

If you have an inflammation or an infection, see a dermatologist or podiatrist for an anti-fungal or antibacterial cream. Once this has healed then try the safe approach of grooming your cuticles i.e. – never cut or clip, keep cuticles moisturized.

Finally, enjoy

If your cuticles are in good condition then you will have no reason not to paint your nails the hottest colours of the season.