Caring for your cuticles
The skin surrounding the nails (cuticles) is often difficult to handle. One rule to remember is to avoid biting the hanging skin that surrounds the nails. This often leads to injury in some cases infection of the nail bed. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Rough manicures also ruin both nails and cuticles. The cuticles should not be cut or pressed down with a metal instrument.
- If your cuticles are rough and untidy, you can treat them with a special homemade cream. To prepare the cream mix three tablespoons petroleum jelly, and 1-teaspoon glycerine. Melt these together over very low heat until just melted.
THE NAILS ARE appendages of the skin and are made of a substance known as keratin. Well-groomed hands and nails can show the difference between being a polished professional or a frazzled mess.
The skin surrounding the nails (cuticles) is often difficult to handle. One rule to remember is to avoid biting the hanging skin that surrounds the nails. This often leads to injury in some cases infection of the nail bed.
Rough manicures also ruin both nails and cuticles. The cuticles should not be cut or pressed down with a metal instrument.
The best way to control cuticles is to massage them with cuticle cream, soak them briefly and then press the cuticle down with a hoof stick. This is a wooden or plastic stick with a rubber pad at the end. You can easily get into the habit of pushing your cuticles back after bathing. Simply use the towel to do this on each nail once weekly.
If your cuticles are rough and untidy, you can treat them with a special homemade cream. To prepare the cream mix three tablespoons petroleum jelly, and 1-teaspoon glycerine. Melt these together over very low heat until just melted.
Mix well, place in a container and refrigerate until it hardens. Use at night on your nails and cuticles. Use hand cream regularly to maintain healthy cuticles.
