Nails Your Way

Reviving Dry, Cracked Cuticles

Dry, parched cuticles are one of the most common problems around. Most everyone has suffered from unsightly, ravaged cuticles at one point or another. Hectic work schedules and cold weather can all wreak havoc on cuticles and hands. Working in an office handling all sorts of paper products will dehydrate the skin and dry out cuticles.

Not only are they unattractive but dry, parched, cuticles can also lead to other problems such as hangnails. Untreated or picked at hangnails can bleed and become very painful and infected. Hangnails form when the skin surrounding the nail begins to crack. The skin becomes dry and brittle, which in turn becomes a hangnail.

In spite of the wear and tear that hands and nails suffer due to chemicals and the environment, the greatest damage to cuticles simply comes from lack of attention. Many people simply don't consider at-home treatments important and think that a single visit to a salon will bring an instant cure. Regular weekly or bi-weekly basic or spa manicures are necessary in order to cure damaged nails and dry cuticles.

Use gloves when washing dishes, mopping or cleaning in order to prevent drying out the hands, nails and cuticles. Get into the habit of applying a moisturizing lotion containing lanolin and glycerin after you wash your hands. Apply cuticle oil when you get up in the morning and when you go to bed at night. Those who suffer with weak, thin nails should also apply a nail strengthener three times a week.

Many women suffer with very dry cuticles due to wearing artificial nail enhancements. Severe dryness, redness, swelling, and bleeding hangnails could indicate early signs of an allergic reaction to the acrylic, gel, or wrap artificial enhancement product. Artificial acrylics, gels, or wraps have been the service of choice for many women. Wearing artificial enhancements without allowing a "rest" or "recovery" period can often result in damage to the nail matrix (nail growth center). Artificial nails should be removed every six or seven weeks allowing the natural nails to recover. Damage to the natural nails can range from thinning, brittleness, or infections-to the separation or lifting of the natural nail from the nail plate. If the artificial nails have been worn too long the nail beds can become tissue paper thin and have a painful or sensitive sensation after the nail enhancement product is removed. The improper use of electric drills can also cause deep grooves in the nail plate that take many weeks or even months to completely heal. Sometimes the damage to the nails can form permanent ripples or circles in the natural nails because of scar tissue. If you have felt pain during a nail product application chances are you have received some degree of damage to your nail beds. You should request that your nail technician use hand filing in order to avoid painful drill damage.

Keeping the cuticles and nails smooth, clean, and conditioned will help repair the cuticle dryness and nail brittleness. Fluoride nail treatments can help restore the nails as the natural nails begin their healing process. A Natural Nail Recovery Program with regular weekly or bi-weekly manicures and a good home care plan can help put you back into healthy natural nails. Services such as the lavender, grape-seed and Vitamin E oil moisturizing paraffin wax treatments can work wonders to revive dry, cracked, damaged nails and cuticles.

Read Jeanne's Latest Monthly Article In Chapel Hill News & Views.

Nails Your Way
Jeanne Grace Curtis
5900 Orchard Road
Douglasville GA 30135-4726

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770-949-3113