Next time your manicurist asks you which one you prefer, you'll be ready with a definitive answer.
To trim or not to trim… that is the question.
Okay, it may not be
exactly what Hamlet said, but if you’re
the type who gets regular manicures, you’ve definitely wondered whether
to enthusiastically affirm or politely demure when your manicurist asks
if you'd like your cuticles trimmed.
The answer is (excuse the pun) pretty cut-and-dry.
“In general, you shouldn't trim cuticles,” says New Orleans dermatologist
Mary Lupo, M.D.
“If they’re too short or lifted away from the nail, it allows bacteria,
yeast and fungus to infect the nail bed.” What’s more, too much
trimming actually makes cuticles look
worse in the long run.
“If you cut off too much of the cuticle, they’ll look good for one or
two days, but then they’ll peel and get ragged again,” says New York
City manicurist
Jin Soon Choi.
No trimming is all well and good—hey, we’re all about healthy
beauty—but let’s face it, everyone’s cuticles can look a little rough
from time to time. And if you’re splurging on a mani, you don’t want
janky cuticles ruining the effect, right? “The most important part of a
manicure is making sure the nail plate is clean,” notes Elissa Schell, a
manicurist at
Paintbox in New York City. “Polish and gel won’t adhere to the nail unless it’s completely free of any oils or dead skin.”
Fortunately, it’s possible to get cuticles mani-ready
sans trimming. Follow these three easy steps to neaten up cuticles and get rid of any annoying dead skin safely:
One more thing to note: Unlike cuticles, hangnails should
always be
nipped in the bud. “A hangnail is really just a loose or already-torn
cuticle,” says Dr. Lupo. “They should always be trimmed to prevent from
being torn further and causing bleeding or infection.”
Of course, it’s even better to prevent hangnails in the first
place—and you can do that by applying oil or hand lotion regularly. “I
know manicurists say it all the time, but that's because it's true!”
says Schell. “Along with helping prevent dry cuticles, it helps
tremendously with hangnails.” Try keeping a bottle of oil on your desk
and rubbing it onto cuticles every once in a while.
You’ll love the instantly-neatened-up effect it has on your mani—and your cuticles will thank you.
Call and schedule your manicure today!
831.373.2273 or book on line at www.montereydayspa.com
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