Caring for cuticles (Guest Author)

It’s such a lovely, satisfying feeling to have a well-cared for body – exfoliated, purified, hydrated & moistened.  But how often are we able to luxuriate in that feeling?  Mostly, we simply don’t seem to find the time or have the energy.

 

Is there an answer?  To some extent, there is – it’s convenience.  If something is “convenient” we tend to do it.

 

This is why I always keep a small cosmetic bag close by when watching tv – even if it’s just the news!  My cosmetic bag contains cuticle cream, cuticle stick (orange stick), emery board, hand cream and a small nail cutter/cuticle scissor (which I use with care and only when I feel it is really necessary).

 

Why is the cuticle so important?

 Just below the cuticle, new skin cells are formed.  These harden and become the nail.  Of course, in addition to that, well cared for cuticles are much more attractive than broken, tough cuticles covering part of the nail.

 

So, while watching tv, I firstly massage cuticle cream into the base of each nail and then gently push the cuticle back with an orange stick.  If you have not done this for some time (or ever!) it is extremely  important that you do not use too much pressure.  The result could be very sore nails with damaged cuticles that can lead to infection.  It may be that you need to slowly encourage the cuticles back over a period of time and then maintain them on a more regular basis.

 

The end result is more attractive nails that you can grow more easily and maintain at a uniform length.