A girls and even boys hands can be viewed as a direct depiction of their personal hygiene. Because hands are used so often throughout the day, they can be overlooked or taken for granted by everyone. Every time that a female (or male) receives a manicure at a nail salon the customers cuticles are cut without even asking but it may be time to start monitoring how frequently we allow it to be done. For those of you who do not know, the strip of skin appears at the base of each fingernail and toenail which seals where your nails connect to your body is also referred to as a cuticle. Although many of not realize, cuticles aren’t a pointless part of a finger. They help shield new keratin cells from harm and they add length to your fingernails. The cuticles are meant to keep your nails both strong and healthy. If the cuticles are not being damaged to manicures it can be very possible that they are being damaged by picking or biting them (so boys who don’t get manicures you are included in this too!). Normally, cuticles are cut in order to neaten the appearance of ones fingernail. Cutting your cuticles incorrectly can cause both inflammation and infection in which pockets of yellow pus can form around your fingernails. People who experience various infections can end up having distorted or ridged fingernails. Luckily, the infection can easily be cured by soaking your hands in certain salts. If you hate the way cuticles look a good alternative is to just push them back using the proper tools. A good time to do this to your cuticles is right after you get out of the shower because that is when the skin is soft and easy to be manipulated. Next time, make sure you question your manicurist about your cuticle care! The extra questions may pay off in the long run.
Works Cited:
Chandlier, Nathan. “HowStuffWorks “Cut Cuticles: Lots More Information”” HowStuffWorks. How Stuff Works, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
It is ironic that you bring up this topic because over the summer one of my fingernails became a little infected from having acrylics nails (fake nails) on for too long. So not only does cutting your cuticles increase the risk of your nails becoming infected, but so can acrylics. Bumping your acrylic nail against something can cause it to lift from the natural nail at the base. Once there is a gap between the natural nail and artificial nail, water can easily come between, making it easy for fungus to develop and grow. Once the fungus develops on the artificial nail it spreads to the natural nail. People can get fungal infections in their nails if they leave the acrylics on for three months or longer. Infection can also occur if unsanitized nail supplies are used. Also, since the same nail clippers are used on everyone, infection can spread this way as well. Although my nail became only slightly infected and went away after properly treating it, I will most definitely never be getting my nails done at the salon ever again nor will I cut my cuticles.
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