Many people suffer from dry and cracked skin around their nails from things like cold and dry weather and biting their nails. Along with biting their nails, sometimes people also bite the skin around their nails. This can lead to painful tears in the skin that can lead to infection. Luckily, the torn, cracked, and dry skin around the nails can be restored by following these few easy steps to ensure that your hands are well-groomed and moisturized.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Repairing Cuticles
Step 1. Soak your hands
Take a medium sized bowl and fill it with warm water to a depth of 10 cm. Soak your hands in the water, making sure your nails and cuticles are submerged. Soak for 5 minutes.
This method helps soften the cuticle around the nail for an easy and painless treatment
Step 2. Dry your hands
Dry your hands with a towel. Cuticles should be drip-free but still moist. Your skin should stay moisturized and soft while you're manicuring your cuticles, so it's easier and less painful to remove dead skin cells.
Step 3. Trim the excess skin around the nails
Using a cuticle cutter and manicure clippers, trim away the excess dead skin around the nail. Be careful, cut only the torn, soft skin, not the cuticle (the skin that surrounds the nail and protects the nail, especially near the initial edge of the nail).
The excessive torn skin is white in color compared to the skin on the fingers. You only need to cut the skin that can get caught and torn
Step 4. Push the cuticles back
Using a wooden cuticle pusher, or an orange stick (a tool for cleaning the nail and pushing the cuticle) can help keep the cuticle from growing out of the nail. Use the flat end of the orange stick to push the cuticles back and the sharp end to move under the nails and remove any accumulated dirt.
Metal orange sticks should be sterilized before and after use and wooden orange sticks should be discarded after use
Step 5. Apply moisturizer to the skin around the nails
You can use a store-bought lotion, moisturizing oil, or cuticle moisturizer to moisturize the dry areas of the skin around your nails. Rub a generous amount of moisturizer on your nails, paying special attention to the cuticles (the skin around the nails). The entire area around the nail should be coated with moisturizer.
- You can also try applying moisturizer under your nails.
- Moisturizers that don't contain alcohol and perfume are usually better at moisturizing the skin.
Step 6. Put on gloves that can lock the moisturizer
Wear cotton gloves overnight. The gloves will lock in the moisture and help restore the nails and cuticles. Remove gloves the next morning.
For longer lasting and better results, repeat this procedure every night
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Cuticles from Drying
Step 1. Moisturize frequently
To keep the skin around your nails moisturized and smoother, moisturize daily, several times a day. You always want your cuticles and nails to be moisturized, because torn skin around your nails occurs when the nails and cuticles become dry.
Keeping hands moist is especially important during the dry winter months
Step 2. Avoid drying ingredients
Dry hands are prone to cracking and peeling, so protect them from unnecessary exposure to activities that can dry out the skin. Avoid things like this:
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Wash dishes in hot water without wearing gloves.
Hot water and soap can remove moisture from your hands.
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Avoid acetone nail polish remover.
Acetone removes important natural oils from the skin and nails.
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Not wearing gloves in the winter months.
The cold, dry air during winter makes skin dry, so protect your hands by wearing gloves.
Step 3. Do not pluck the skin
Instead of picking at the torn skin around your nails, soak and dampen your hands. Plucking the skin can cause sores, leading to infection.
Some people pluck the skin around the nails as a habit of anxiety. This habit can be overcome by finding better ways to control anxiety habits, and practicing self-control
Step 4. Keep hands away from mouth
Try to avoid biting your nails or chewing on the torn skin around your nails. Bacteria in your mouth can cause infection if you tear the skin around your nails or bite your nails until they are too short.
Try using a special, unpleasant-tasting ointment to keep your fingers away from your mouth
Step 5. Meet the body's fluid needs by drinking at least 8 glasses of fluids every day
Meeting your body's fluid needs will help keep your skin (including cuticles) smooth and moisturized. Water is the best option and you can also add sliced oranges, lemons, limes, or cucumbers for taste. In addition to drinking water, you can also meet the body's fluid needs by drinking other fluids such as tea or fruit juice. Eating foods and fruits that contain lots of water (such as soup) can also help hydrate the body.
When sweating a lot, increase your fluid intake
Step 6. Follow a healthy balanced diet
If the body lacks nutrients, the skin, hair, and nails will be damaged. So, eat lots of low-fat protein, vegetables, and fruits. To ensure that your body can absorb nutrients properly, eat healthy fats too.
To support nail health, you can also take vitamin supplements. However, consult your doctor first before using any supplements
Step 7. File your nails
Keep your nails a certain length so they don't get caught in objects. Pay special attention to the corners of the nails and keep them soft, so the edges don't hurt the skin around the nails.
