Aside from growing natural nails, one other problem a lot of hand models face daily has to deal with grown cuticles. A grown cuticle can be embarrassing and, at the same time, annoying to deal with, but after going through this article, you’ll surely be a PRO at taming it.
So what’s an overgrown cuticle? A cuticle is said to be overgrown when it extends from its usual position (which is usually close to the proximal fold ) and then covers part of the nails.
When this happens, you may face multiple problems, such as having to deal with hangnails, infections from torn cuticles, and various other complications.
So having a basic knowledge of what cuticle entails, their usefulness to your nails, and how to care for them will save you from battling with overgrown or damaged cuticles and keep them healthy and in good shape.
Are Overgrown Cuticles Bad?
Overgrown cuticles can be unsightly, but they are not necessarily bad for your health. However, they can lead to problems such as infection or difficulty applying nail polish if left untreated. It is best to keep your cuticles trimmed and moisturized to prevent overgrowth. It is best to get it trimmed by a professional, as trimming too much can cause pain and bleeding. Also, note that cuticles are essential in protecting the nail bed from infection and other damage.
What Are Overgrown Cuticles Referred To As?
There’s no generic name for overgrown cuticles besides the one you already know. Also, Pterygium isn’t another name for it. Pterygium is a medical term for abnormal tissues of mass found in the eye region. In addition, overgrown cuticles are caused by dryness, lack of maintenance, or genetics. They can appear as small, dry pieces of skin hanging off the nails’ sides or as thickened, rough skin around the base of the nails. They can also be caused by biting the nails or picking at the cuticles.
What Causes Excessive Cuticle Growth
Cuticles don’t just grow out weird; there are one or two reasons why they keep rising to the point of you wanting to trim them down.
What I’ve found out over the past years is this. If you don’t take proper care of your cuticles, they’ll undoubtedly grow out to disappoint you.
With that being said, below are some apparent reasons or causes of overgrown cuticles.
1. Excessive trimming
2. Systemic malfunction
3. Low maintenance culture.
Having listed them, let’s critically look at each of the causes.
1. Excessive trimming
When you continuously cut or trim your cuticles, they’re bound to grow out very quickly, and the bad news is they usually grow out weirdly.
Aside from the weird thing, Cutting or trimming your cuticles isn’t a good practice and should be avoided by all means.
The reason why I have to mention this is that a lot of us are guilty of this. Here’s something you should know.
When you constantly go after your cuticles with sharp objects, the rate at which they grow back triples. And when they finally grow out, they usually look weird or awkward.
2. Systemic malfunction
One or two issues that have to do with your entire body may trigger a series of reactions which often may lead to parts of your skin, especially the cuticle growing out excessively.
Usually, overgrown cuticles and peelings around the skin are some of the physical signs of systemic malfunctioning of the entire body system.
3. Low maintenance culture
These are indeed the significant causes of overgrown cuticles. For example, If you do not pay close attention to caring and taking care of your nails and skin, they may grow out to cover where they’re not supposed to cover.
How to Treat Overgrown Cuticles
In other words, to tame issues with dry cuticles and keep them in their best shape, you need to know the exact thing to do to get rid of them and keep your cuticles looking healthy and free from infection. To do that, first, you should know how to care for them before deciding on how to push them back.
Step 1: Submerging your nail in warm water
The first step in getting rid of overgrown cuticles is to start by doing a quick DIY treatment. This usually begins with submerging your nails in warm water containing Olive oil or any essential oil for 5 minutes. This helps to soften the cuticles and make them easier to work with. Olive oil is a great option because it is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, which can help to moisturize and nourish the cuticles. For added benefits, you can also add other ingredients to the water, such as lemon juice or honey.
Step 2: Wipe away the excess
After soaking your nails, wipe away the excess water using a clean, absorbent material such as a towel. This will help to remove any debris or dirt that may be stuck to the cuticles.
Step 3: Gently push back the cuticles using a cuticle pusher
The next step is gently pushing back the cuticles using a cuticle pusher or an orange stick. This helps to remove any excess skin and create a neat, clean appearance. It’s important to be gentle when doing this step to avoid damaging the cuticles.
Step 4: Trim away excess cuticle
After pushing back the cuticles, use a cuticle trimmer or scissors to trim any excess cuticles or hangnails. Be very careful when doing this, and make sure to avoid cutting your skin. This step is important to get rid of overgrown cuticles, but it is important not to overdo it.
Step 5: Moisturize
Next, apply a cuticle cream or oil to moisturize the cuticles and the surrounding skin. This will help to keep the cuticles hydrated and prevent them from becoming dry and overgrown.
Step 6: File your nail
Finally, finish the process by filing your nails to shape them and buffing them to make them smooth. This will help to create a polished, professional look and make your nails look healthy and well-maintained.
Here’s what to note while pushing
- Be gentle while at it, as pushing them too much may cause them to get torn.
- Make sure your cuticles are soft enough before you push them back
- To avoid torn cuticles which are usually very painful, ensure to rub little quantity of any of the essential oil within your arsenal on them before and after pushing them back.
- Overgrown cuticles usually take time to get pushed back completely, so to achieve an excellent result, you may have to keep doing the pushing process for some time.
Why Do Cuticles Grow so Fast?
Cuticles grow faster due to different reasons depending on individuals. Some of the common reasons are the following:
1. Dryness
Dry skin can cause the cuticles to become dry and brittle, leading to overgrowth. A lack of moisture in the air, harsh soaps, or hot showers can cause dryness.
2. Lack of maintenance
Neglecting to push back and trim your cuticles can cause them to grow too quickly. Regularly maintaining your cuticles by moisturizing them and pushing them back can help to prevent overgrowth.
3. Genetics
Some people may have a genetic predisposition to overgrown cuticles. This means that the tendency to have overgrown cuticles can run in families.
4. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can also cause the skin to become dry and thick, leading to overgrown cuticles. This can happen during pregnancy, menopause, or when taking certain medications.
5. Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and thyroid disorders can also cause overgrown cuticles. These conditions can cause dryness, inflammation, and skin thickening around the nails, leading to overgrowth.
6. Biting the nails and picking at the cuticles
This can cause damage to the cuticles and lead to overgrowth. Biting the nails can cause the cuticles to become rough, uneven, and jagged. Picking at the cuticles can also cause them to become dry and cracked, leading to overgrowth.
Reasons Why Pushing Back Overgrown Cuticles Is Essential
1. Promotes healthy nail growth
When overgrown cuticles are not properly maintained, they can become thick and rough, making it difficult for nails to grow properly. Pushing back the cuticles allows the nails to grow healthily and naturally, promoting growth and strength.
2. Prevents infection
Overgrown cuticles can trap dirt and bacteria, leading to infection. When the cuticles are not pushed back and trimmed, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Pushing back the cuticles can help to keep them clean and prevent infection.
3. Enhances the appearance of nails
Overgrown cuticles can make nails look unkempt and unsightly. Pushing back the cuticles can make the nails look cleaner, neater, and well-maintained, which can enhance the overall appearance of the nails.
4. Improves nail polish application
When cuticles are overgrown, it can be difficult to apply nail polish evenly, resulting in a messy look. Pushing back the cuticles can make it easier to apply nail polish and achieve a polished look. It will also make the nails look neat and clean.
5. Maintains the cuticles’ health
Pushing back the cuticles can keep them moisturized and prevent them from becoming dry and overgrown. This will lead to healthier cuticles, more resistance to infection, and promote healthy nail growth.
6. Helps prevent other nail-related problems
Overgrown cuticles can cause the nails to become ingrown, which can be painful and uncomfortable. Pushing back the cuticles can help to avoid this problem by keeping the nails and cuticles trimmed and neat, which will also help to avoid snagging or catching on clothing or other materials.
Tips To Care For Your Cuticles
You may be a Pro at growing nails without knowing how to care for your cuticles effectively. Here is a quick run-up or tips you can refer to the next time you’re looking for ways to care for your cuticles.
1. Don’t pick at them
Nothing irritates or makes your epidermis grow out weird than picking at them. So try as much as possible to avoid biting them.
2. Be nice to them
Being kind to your cuticle involves treating them right. How do you manage your skin, right? By practicing good nail hygiene.
3. Keep them moisturized
Moisturizing your cuticle is an excellent way to keep them in good shape and subsequently prevent them from future dryness and this should be done daily.
4. Don’t cut them
It has been said a thousand times that trimming isn’t the best way to tame overgrown cuticles. Instead, they should be pushed. So if you feel that your cuticles need some pampering simply because they’ve gone overboard, the best thing to do is to get them pushed back.
Why Are My Cuticles So Dry And Cracked?
There are several reasons your cuticles may be dry and cracked, such as lack of moisture, exposure to harsh chemicals, cold weather, frequent washing or sanitizing, medical conditions, and age.
Is It Healthy To Push Cuticles Back?
Yes, and it shouldn't be that often. Once every two weeks is ideal, especially if your cuticle grows out quickly. Also, care must be taken when pushing them back so as not to irritate the cuticle.
Does Pushing Your Cuticles Back Prevent Hangnails?
There are a whole lot of things responsible for hangnails, but one thing that is common in all of these things is that dry skin is the leading cause of hangnails. So when you have a cuticle that is overgrown, the possibility of you having hangnails is evident, but if you take your time to push them back, you'll save yourself from that annoying hangnails. To put this in simpler terms, pushing your cuticles somewhat prevents hangnails.
Does Pushing Cuticles Back Make Nails Grow Faster?
Pushing your cuticles back does not make your nails grow out faster. Pushing them backwards only reveals part of the nails that were hidden under the overgrown cuticle so pushing them back in an attempt to see whether or not your nails have grown up to some inch is merely an illusion. If you must grow your nails faster, there are a lot of dedicated articles on that already, on this blog. All you have to do is go over them and do that which they say.
Conclusion
Issues with overgrown cuticles are one a lot of us do face daily, but after going through this article, you shouldn’t anymore because I’ve carefully taken out time to give you all you need to tame these annoying occurrences once and for all.
So if you’re still battling with yours, you need to invest some time in easy DIY that involves a nail soak before pushing your cuticles back.
Now over to you. What exactly do you find interesting? Is my recommendation worth giving a try? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.
Also, don’t forget to click on the SHARE buttons located below to help a friend who might be passing or looking for ways to curb the maniac of an overgrown cuticle.
Reference
What Causes Overgrown Cuticles?