Use a Cuticle Pusher
A cuticle pusher is a simple nail tool used to perform manicures and pedicures. It pushes the skin from your cuticles back and away from your nails to help your nails grow stronger. Here's information on how to safely use a cuticle pusher.
Contents
Steps
Choose a Cuticle Pusher
- Decide whether to get a cuticle pusher made of steel or wood. Steel cuticle pushers are best for tough, hard cuticles. Wooden cuticle pushers are best for soft cuticles.
- Pick which tip you want your cuticle pusher to have. Some have blunt rounded ends, others have sharp pointy ends or spoon-shaped ends and yet others are curved. The most common one has a rounded tip on one end and a sharp tip on the other.
Prepare Your Nails
- For best results, soften the nails and cuticles before using the cuticle pusher. This is a necessary step to make pushing the cuticles away from the nails easier. If the cuticles are not soft and you try to push them, you might tear the skin, causing painful lesions.
- Apply cuticle remover on the nail. You can also use cuticle oil together with the cuticle remover. Make sure to spread it evenly all over the edges. Leave it for 2 minutes.
- Submerge the fingers in a small bowl of warm water and soak them for about 3 minutes. This will help soften the cuticles even more.
- Use a small towel to gently dry your fingernails.
Push Back the Cuticles
- Use the rounded part of the cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles on the surface of the nail. Angle the pusher 35 to 45 degrees and gently slide it towards the base of the nail and push away the softened cuticles.
- Use the pointed, sharp part to push down the cuticles at the corners of your nails. You can also use this tip to clean under the nails. Repeat this process for all the nails.
Tips
- Instead of using cuticle remover or cuticle oil, petroleum jelly is also an effective cuticle softener.
- Apply hydrating oil to the cuticles. In case the cuticles become overly dry, you really have to do this. For example, you can use olive oil on your cuticles to make them smooth and healthy. Massage each nail for better absorption. Even a short massage will do.
- If you regularly push your cuticles, you won’t really need to trim them often.
- Make sure to cut off any hangnails as closely to the base as possible without causing injury to the nail or the skin.
- It is best to rest your nail on a firm surface as you trim away the excess cuticle. Try to do this slowly and be careful that your hand doesn’t slip or you might get yourself a cut. Be very careful when you are using the cuticle cutter.
- Use a good quality cuticle cutter to cut off hangnails, excess cuticles and dead skin, if necessary.
Warnings
- Whichever type of cuticle pusher you choose to use, always remember to never push too hard.
Things You'll Need
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle cutter
- Cuticle remover
- Cuticle oil – optional
- Cuticle hydrating oil
- Small bowl – filled with warm water
- Small towel
Related Articles
- Push Back Your Cuticles
- Apply Gel Nails
- Do Acrylic Nails
- Give Someone a Manicure
