What is the best way to fix dry cracked cuticles quickly? Our guide explains how they occur, how to fix them and how to prevent them.
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How do dry cracked cuticles develop? Dry and cracked cuticles can be caused by lack of care, external environmental influences, frequent hand washing or a lack of nutrients.
Which products and home remedies help? In order to get the cuticle supple again, you should remove the dry cuticles pieces with a special cuticle remover. In addition, it makes sense to take a hand bath regularly and to provide the nails with sufficient moisture.
What is the best way to prevent dry cuticles? Regular and intensive care of the hands and nails is essential if you want to protect yourself from dry cuticles. Apply cream several times a day and supply your nail skins with special nail oil two to three times a week.
Best ways to fix dry cracked cuticles quickly
Beautiful and well-groomed nails are an absolute must for most men and women. But not only the fingernails, but also the cuticle should look neat. If cracked and dry areas occur, it is necessary to care for the cuticle.
In this article you will learn what causes cracked and dry cuticles. In addition, we give you tips on which products and home remedies you can use to care for your cuticle and fix dry cracked cuticles quickly.
1. The causes of dry cracked cuticles are manifold
The cuticle is located below the nails and protects the opening from which the nail is pushed out. Fine skin therefore has an important task for our health: it protects the nail bed by ensuring that bacteria, viruses and fungi cannot penetrate.
However, the fine skin can also be injured, so that the protective function is no longer sufficiently guaranteed. If the cuticle is injured, it dries out and becomes cracked. As a result, the nail bed can become inflamed and cause pain.
The following causes are considered for a torn cuticle:
- frequent washing with soap
- cold temperatures
- dry heating air
- regular contact with detergents
- frequent use of acetone-containing nail polish remover
- Nibbling the nails in stressful situations
- Lack of nutrients
Caution: If the cuticle is inflamed, it is important to consult a doctor to stop the spread of the infection.
2. Care for the cuticles
In order to get the cuticle supple again, the proper care is of great importance. Therefore, you should pay special attention to your nails.
Below we present various tips on how to care for your cuticles to avoid inflammation.In the first period, it is best to carry out the measures every day so that the skin can regulate itself.
2.1. Do not remove cuticles, only push back
Cuticle remover dissolves the dead skin scales. Dried skin scraps on the edge of the fingernail look anything but beautiful. Another problem is that the risk of getting stuck on objects or fabric is increased. In order to avoid injury and infection, the excess skin must therefore be removed.
On the Internet or in magazines you will often find the tip to simply cut back the dry cuticle. However, be sure to avoid removing the cuticle with a nail scissors or similar tool.In this case, the cuticle only grows thicker and stronger.
Instead, you can push the cuticle back with a special cuticle slider or a wooden stick.However, this is only useful and harmless if the cuticle is already soft.
For this purpose, you can use a cuticle remover, which you receive, for example, at dm or in other drugstores. Apply the cuticle remover to the cuticle and leave to act for at least five minutes. Afterwards, the dried-up skin flakes can be easily removed.
2.2. Bathing and peeling hands regularly
In order to get the hands, fingernails and cuticles supple, you should also take a regular hand bath. One option is to use special products from the drugstore or pharmacy.
However, you can also bathe your hands in a mixture of milk and oil. Olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil are particularly suitable for this purpose. First, heat about a litre of milk or buttermilk in a cooking pot. Then pour into a bowl and add about five tablespoons of oil to the milk and stir well. Bathe your hands in the mixture for about ten minutes.
In order to get rid of the dead skin flakes,it also makes sense to peel the hands regularly. With a little oil and salt, a nourishing peeling can be produced within a few minutes. Mix four tablespoons of oil with 5 tablespoons of salt. Carefully rub and leave to act for about ten minutes. Then wash off under lukewarm water.
2.3. Moisturizing torn cuticles
The skin becomes so rough and cracked mainly because it has not been sufficiently hydrated. The more stressed the skin, the more moisture it needs. For dry cuticles, you should rub your nails several times a day with a hand cream.
Particularly suitable are creams that have nourishing and rich ingredients. In addition to moisturizing ingredients, they often also contain soothing and regenerating ingredients.
Always cream your hands after contact with hot water or biting chemicals. But even after a peeling, your skin needs careful care. It is best to use these creams as soon as you feel that your skin is dry.
3. Effectively prevent dry and cracked cuticles
Good to know: In a study by Duke University, scientists were able to prove that nail polish can have a harmful effect on health. Thus, the frequent application of nail polish can lead to a change in the hormone balance and in the worst case to infertility.
To prevent torn and dry cuticles, you should make sure that you regularly care for the cuticle. The easiest option is to cream your hands and nails several times a day with a moisturizing cream.
In addition, you can apply special nail oil to the cuticle several times a week. If you are on the road, it is enough if you apply some lip care to the edge of the nail. The valuable ingredients ensure that the skin remains soft and supple.
In order to protect the cuticle from drying out, you should also resort to mild washing lotions. When using detergents, always wear gloves to protect sensitive skin. You can also use nail polish remover, which does not require acetone. This substance is extremely aggressive and dries out the nail skins strongly.
