How to Trim Cuticles

Caring for the hands in an effort to keep them looking professional and well-maintained includes caring for the cuticles. Pieces of skin that grown over the edge of the nail as a layer of protection, cuticles are meant to stay intact, though pushed back, away from the nail. Some prefer to trim the cuticles instead. Make trimming your cuticles part of your nail care routine to create a clean, polished look. Read on to learn how to trim cuticles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Cuticle remover
• Orange stick
• Cuticle nipper

1. Apply a cuticle remover to the base of each nail, rubbing it in. Allow the remover to sit on your nail for a minute or two. Cuticle removers work by softening the skin, making it more pliable and easy to trim.
2. Leave the remover on for a minute. Use an orangewood stick to gently push, using a circular motion, every spot where skin meets the nail (including the sides). If any areas are red or sore, skip that area. You may have a hang nail, dry or cracked skin. Leave these areas alone until they real and are no longer sensitive to touch.
3. Be careful only to remove the skin sitting on top of the nail. Going too far and trimming the skin above, on your finger, will cause pain and possibly infection.
4. Use cuticle nippers to slowly and carefully trim away the cuticles. The nippers can be sharp, so trim small pieces at a time to get a smooth, clean finish.
5. Stop if you experience any bleeding while trimming your cuticles. If you bleed a lot, you may need to seek medical attention for a more serious problem.

Tips & Warnings

• When applying cuticle remover, your skin should never burn. If it does, it may be irritated or dry--not in the condition to be treated with chemicals and pressure. If you experience a burning sensation, rinse the cuticle remover immediately and wait to work on your nails when they aren't feeling so sensitive.