Dealing with dry and peeled off cuticles is no fun, trust me.
Not only that they look bad, but they could actually be infected with some germs and bacteria.
If you want to give yourself an at-home pamper session, and you want to fix your cuticles, this article is just for you!
Here is how to get rid of bacteria, dryness, peeled off cuticles, and how to soften them while keeping them fresh and moisturized.
How To Spot A Dry Cuticle?
See that clear layer of skin around your nail? It is used for protecting your nails from getting filled up with bacteria and is called a cuticle. Since your cuticle is naturally thin and delicate it can easily crack, and this happens mostly in the winter or when you are exposed to low heat. It can also happen if you are lacking some important vitamins and proteins in your diet.
You will notice that your cuticle is dry if it is:
- Cracked
- Red
- Inflamed
- If it is peeling
- If it is flaking
In case you notice this happening it is important to act fast and bring back that lost moisture.
What Are Some Of The Most Common Causes For Dry Cuticles?
There is quite a lot, but most often, your cuticles will be dry because:
- You are biting your nails
- You are biting your cuticles
- You are using way too much of hand sanitizer
- You do your manicures way too often under a UV light
- You are washing your hands too often
- You have eczema
- You are not moisturizing your hands as often as you should be
- You are cutting your nails incorrectly
- You are cutting and harming your cuticle
Why Are Your Cuticles Peeling?
Your cuticles will peel because of the same list of reasons as mentioned previously. However, if you want to do something about it and prevent it from happening, make sure that you are:
Delicate When Cutting at Home
If you notice a slight peel or a crack and yet you do not want to go to the salon right away; this is okay, as long as you know the right approach. Your nails are probably tired, dehydrated and red on their own. If they are, try not to apply acetone or other alcohol-based products on top.
Don’t apply any harsh chemicals, and do not cut your cuticles. Simply push them back with an orange stick and let them heal. You should stay away from manicures for 10-15 days till your cuticle recovers.
Combine Some Products
Make yourself a healthy snack, or use the right vitamins. You should intake as much of fatty acids, vitamin A, E, biotin and fish oil to bring back moisture. A healthy diet combined with a lot of water will help not only your cuticles but also your overall health. Food such as salmon, spinach, and other food filled with zinc are also an amazing go-to solution.
How To Soften Your Cuticles In 5 Different Ways
Use Cuticle Oil
Cuticle oil is sold at a drugstore or at a pharmacy and it isn’t too expensive. It absorbs very fast into the nail, and it helps prevent dryness, cracks, and peeling off the cuticle. Strive for ingredients such as aloe vera, sunflower oil, and macadamia oil if you want your results fast.
Use Olive Oil
You don’t have to go all out and purchase some fancy tools. In fact, you can simply soak your nails in warm olive oil for 5 minutes and let them heal. Once done massage the product in with your fingers and boost the circulation, while letting the product penetrate deep into the cracked cuticle.
Use A Cuticle Cream
Cuticle cream is a lot like your hand-cream, only a bit stronger. It is usually filled with vitamins A, C, and E, and it restores the lost moisture. Your oil should be filled with sunflower and almond oil if you want to strengthen your nails fast, and especially if you have dry hands.
Wear Gloves
Stop submerging your hands in water and settle with disposable gloves. These are made out of vinyl or rubber and are ideal at preventing the dryness from reoccurring. Wear your gloves whenever possible, but especially during your healing period when your cuticles are red, sensitive and inflamed.
Use Pain-relieving Bandages
There are some bandages which you can find at any local drugstore. These bandages are filled with bacitracin zinc and other similar ingredients which can be soothing once applied on top. These bandages are filled with the first aid antibiotic pain reliever, and they will help with your injury. Leave the bandage on for as long as your cuticle doesn’t heal back, and especially wear it when out the house.
