Cuticle pusher
Cuticle care is an important element of nail care, but it will only be beneficial if the procedure is done correctly. Let's talk today about what is a cuticle pusher and how to use it.
We will discuss why this simple nail care tool is needed in our manicure set, and also find out which cuticle pusher is better to choose.
What is a cuticle pusher?
The cuticle is a thin layer of skin located at the bottom edge of your nails. Its main function is to protect the nail bed from bacteria that can lead to infections and even loss of the nail.
Cuticles often grow along with the nail plate, which makes your nails look short and uneven. This is where a cuticle pusher comes to the rescue! A cuticle pusher is a tool used to push back cuticles and allow nails to grow healthier and stronger.
Types of cuticle pushers
There are two types of manicure pushers that you can use: wood and steel. They perform the same function and work on the basis of the same concept.
The orange tree stick, already familiar to us, acts as a wooden pusher. A wooden nail pusher is best for soft cuticles, while an iron nail pusher is best for hard or rough cuticles. Thus, your task is to determine what your cuticles are, and choose a manicure pusher based on these data.
How to use a cuticle pusher
Once you have decided on what type of manicure pusher suits you best, you can move on to practice. For this you will need:
- The pusher himself
- Cuticle oil or hand lotion
- warm water
- Dry towel
Before treating cuticles, soften them by soaking your fingers in warm water for a couple of minutes, applying oil, or using a cuticle remover.
A word of advice: never try to push back a dry cuticle with force, as you can damage it and open access to bacteria.
Next, gently push back the cuticle on one of the nails with the flat end of the pusher, starting from the middle and then moving towards the edges.
For some, these actions are enough. However, if your cuticles are too thick, rough, or very flaky, it may make sense to cut them a little. At this stage, you should be especially careful not to get hurt.
Lift the free edge of the cuticle above the surface of the nail with a pusher at an angle of about 30 degrees and carefully trim the cuticle outline. Be careful not to remove too many.
If necessary, you can use a cuticle pusher and toenail pusher.
Why should you use a nail pusher?
Health. With a cuticle pusher, your nails not only look healthier, they actually are. After all, proper treatment of the cuticle prevents infection of the nail.
Beauty. When you push back your cuticles, your nails will look longer and prettier. The nail plate itself also becomes stronger, so you don't have to worry about broken nails as often.
Prevention. If you properly handle the cuticle, you protect it from tears, burrs and infections.
Pusher and cuticle remover
People often confuse these two concepts, falsely believing that they perform the same function. But these are completely different things.
As we have already said, the cuticle pusher is a tool that affects the cuticle mechanically. But a cuticle remover is a liquid that has a chemical effect on the cuticle. Cuticle remover often contains potassium hydroxide. It is designed to soften cuticles by breaking down dead skin cells, and essentially serves to prep the cuticles before using the pusher.
You can buy a manicure pusher, as well as a cuticle remover, in one of the many professional cosmetics stores, or on the Internet.
Proper cuticle care is an important aspect of nail health. I hope my information was useful to you, and the cuticle pusher will take its rightful place in your manicure set. Be healthy and beautiful! :)