If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of healthy hands. Taking care of our hands with gentle care and attention is something we might have overlooked especially when it comes to one’s cuticles. There is always plenty more to uncover when talking about cuticle care and why it matters.
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If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of healthy hands. Taking care of our hands with gentle care and attention is something we might have overlooked especially when it comes to one’s cuticles. There is always plenty more to uncover when talking about cuticle care and why it matters.
Firstly, to help your clients understand the importance of cuticle serums, explain what cuticles are and what they are for: a form of dead skin tissue that helps seal the area between the nail and the skin adjacent to it. Cuticles should be treated with care because they help protect you from infection. If you expose your cuticles and cut them by accident, you could put your body at risk to potential bacteria, fungus and other harmful elements that could eventually lead to more serious problems. (This is part of why nail professionals are so valuable because they are better equipped to handle cuticles.) Essentially, next time you look at your cuticles, smile at them with love—and suggest your clients do the same. It is a reminder to appreciate them because they are protecting your body from detrimental pathogens that could be entering your body.
For the nail aficionados, cuticle serums might be a staple part of one’s nail care routine already, but understanding the reason behind why one should use it is a completely different story. Believe it or not, a small step such as using cuticle serum is deemed an essential part of healthy nail care, and here are some of the reasons why you should be using it on your clients and as part of your routine:
It Can Protect and Repair Your Cuticles
Overall, cuticle serum should be your best friend when it comes to nail care health and happy hands. When applied daily, it helps stimulate blood circulation to the fingers, which will promote the growth of new cells while also helping heal any injuries, inflammation or irritation on those tender areas of skin. When it comes to protecting and repairing your cuticles, I would look specifically for a cuticle serum that includes soy methyl esters, an extract of soybean oil or one that contains vitamin E, an anti-inflammatory nutrient that can support the skin by preventing the breaking of cuticles, bruising and overall scrapes on your fingers.
It Can Help With Wounds, Minor Cuts and Surface Bacteria
After many years of working in the salon industry, I discovered there were many people who would bite their nails regardless of the damage it would do to their cuticles. This nail habit not only compromises the look of your hands, but when you expose your cuticles by cutting the skin with your teeth, you also leave your body open to possible bacteria and infection. In cases like this, the importance of using an antibacterial cuticle oil is a key next step. Especially in times of COVID-19, it is important to use one that will keep your nails healthy and strong and help reduce exposure to germs. Ideally, you would try and use a cuticle serum that contains myrrh oil, which is a natural sanitizer and will help stop the spread of bacteria. It is great for nail biters because it helps cure minor wounds, but it is also beneficial for people with healthy cuticles who want to focus on maintenance.
It Has Anti-Aging Properties
Aging hands can be heightened by sun and dryness, which create lines around your cuticle area. The good news is using daily cuticle serum with specific anti-aging vitamins as part of your moisturizing routine may help slow the process. Try to find a cuticle serum with jojoba oil and vitamins A, D and E because it will contain many essential fatty acids and powerful antioxidants, along with benefits that can help regenerate skin cells and brighten dull skin by providing essential moisture. In particular, vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory nutrient that is a powerful antioxidant, which can help prevent dryness with cuticles that can easily absorb into the skin, reducing UV damage to the skin.
It Helps With Dryness and With Cuticles Splitting
If you find your clients’ nails are feeling brittle and their cuticles are tearing, a good cuticle serum can help lock in moisture. Using a cuticle serum with jojoba oil can be naturally gentle and nonirritating, making it hydrating for basically every skin type. A cuticle serum with soy methyl ester can help enhance the skin on the nail and can help create a barrier to help retain moisture. When you apply serum daily, it can help cuticles from splitting from the nail bed, making them look healthy and clean. A good formula can be designed to be nongreasy and light. One of my favorite techniques for preventing dryness is mixing a few drops of cuticle serum with hand lotion, which gives the nails and cuticles that extra moisture required for healthy, happy hands.
About the Author
Amy Ling Lin is passionate about wellness and supporting fellow immigrants. sundays (@Sundays_studio) is her nail care brand that is focused on mindful services in her New York studios in Nomad and Hudson Yards. After graduating from beauty school, she opened her first salon in 2012. With years of experience as a salon owner and an MBA from Columbia University under her beauty belt, part of Amy’s mission is to disrupt the beauty salon industry, promoting all-natural beauty treatments, and to empower women through mindfulness events in her sundays space. She is also a Nailpro 2022 advisory board member.
This article was originally published in the June 2022 issue of Nailpro magazine.
