Cuticle cutting -- Nailsplash.Com Education For Professional Nail Techs

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Date Posted: 21:10:58 11/03/99 Wed
Author: nailsplash
Author Host/IP: ip-91-141.ord.primenet.com / 206.165.91.141
Subject: Cuticle cutting

I'm sure most of you should have seen this already in my newsletter... but just in case I figured I should post here too! (If you don't get my newsletter, then subscribe already! It comes out once a week and it's FREE.... send a blank email to nailsplashnews-subscribe@listbot.com OR go to this link <a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://nailsplashnews.listbot.com/">http://nailsplashnews.listbot.com/</a> )

I've already received many fabulous responses that I will compile and post to the next newsletter; any one with additonal comments to add please post here or forward to me at nailsplashnews-owner@listbot.com .

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In a recent issue of our trade magazines 2 or 3 of the "salon spies" reporting on Nail Techs bad habits, complained that they had to "remind" their techs to cut their cuticles during a manicure; their point being that if they hadn't reminded the tech the "cutting" would have been ommitted.

So now, I'm extremely confused.... I thought we as professional Nail technicians no longer did any cuticle cutting and did not endorse cuticle cutting. Can someone please enlighten me as to what is going on? What and when did I miss this reversal of professional policy? Someone please enlighten me...

I personally do not endorse cuticle cutting.... actually the eponychium is what most clients and techs refer to as the cuticle.... meaning the skin fold that protects the matrix; true cuticle is what most of us mistakelny refer to as pterygium, the "stuff" that we remove with pterygium removers or cuticle pushers; it sticks to the nail plate and couldn't actually be "cut" anyway.... anyway I could go on and on about this forever, but it's amute point in my state since cuticle cutting is ILLEGAL in Illinois... if it's not standing up and waving at us (IE obviously dead skin) we can't cut it.

So, I'm very confused about just what they were referring to in that article, since it's written by some of the best and most respected names in our industry, I don't know if it's a confusion of terminology (on my part), or a difference in state laws, or what.... and so I suspect that if I'm confused, then many other techs are as well too... What exactly constitutes the definition of "cuticle cutting" in our industry and the service that they had to remind their techs to perform? (Did they really mean to "cut" them, or again is it a phrasing confusion?)

For more on my viewpoint on cuticle cutting (along with definitions, etc) follow this link: <a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://members.delphi.com/askbarb/index.html">http://members.delphi.com/askbarb/index.html</a> (about 2/3 of the way down the page in the "ASK BARB" page of nailsplash.com) and for other subjects along this same line, see my website main page at www.nailsplash.com or <a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://people.delphi.com/nailsplash/">http://people.delphi.com/nailsplash/</a>

Here is some of the info from that page on my position on cuticle cutting... if I am totally wrong and have missed the boat somewhere education wise on this subject then someone please help me and explain WHY????

Am I the only one confused on this issue now, or are others as well?
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< From the ASK BARB page of nailsplash.com...........
Q: I never cut cuticles, however, the most common question I get when I do a manicure is why I'm not cutting the cuticles. Is cutting cuticles the way Nail Teks were once-upon-a-time trained? I feel like I'm always defending my position. Can you give me a list of good reasons why cuticles should not be cut. I have my own but would like to hear what others have to say! Thanks.

A: It's simply against the LAW* for us to cut cuticles**! "Cuticles"** are live skin, and live skin can only be cut by licensed Doctors with sterilized implements!

(* Well, in my state anyway......)

**NOTE: Actually, what most of us refer to as the "cuticle" is actually technically called the EPONYCHIUM.. True cuticle is the dead skin that sheds and pushes out from under the eponychium� what most of us mistakenly call the pterygium! True cuticle is the clear, thin, skin that must be removed to make enhancememnt product or nail polish adhere to the nail plate properly. True cuticle is removed by pushing, scraping or scrubbing motions with metal implements, files, cuticle pushers, or birchwood sticks. You really couldn't "cut" true cuticle anyway.

Eponychium is the proximal nail fold at the base of the nail that covers and protects the matrix and produces a protective seal. When clients say they want their cuticles cut, we all know that what they mean is that they want their eponychiums cut. I will use the word cuticle below here in the discussion of "cutting cuticles", to describe what most of us consider and think of as the cuticle when the correct terminology would be eponychium, and it is the eponychium that should not be cut.

The bodys response to "damage" is to repair the damage. Initially the body over responds to do the repair work quickly, this leads to a thickening and hardening of the skin at the wound site. Just like a scab! If you pick the scab it will come back again thicker and harder and faster... eventually it will cause permenent scarring, which is permnanent damage! Not to mention the possibilities of infection, etc with red, inflamed cuticles!

Cutting cuticles is a diservice to the client and a damage to our professional reputations as well. Cutting cuticles is only a quick fix which ultimately does more damage than good, as the cuticles will keep getting worse instead of better! Cut cuticles then need to be cut more and more frquently to keep looking groomed, it's a viscious catch 22 cycle.

Daily oil and massage and gentle pushing back of the cuticles is the only safe, effective, and ultimately permenent way to care for cuticles. While this solution is not "instant", it is the permenent solution! As professional nail techs we have to educate our clients as to the best long term solutions and not let them "bully" us into doing things that are harmful to them just because they want it and that's what they think will work.

A Dr won't just give us an Rx for pain killers because our neck hurts from working to many hours; he investigates and offers strategies for long term solutions to our problems, not just a temp mask to cover up the problem! While we might really want our pain to go away right now, ultimately what we want is for our pain to be managed permanently, not made worse because the Dr was too lazy to diagnose us and treat the real underlying problem. Taking a pill today will only make us feel better today, but tomorrow we'll feel even worse and need 2 pills, then 3 then 4.... Cutting cuticles is the same, first once every 2 weeks, then once a week, soon they start looking bad within a day or 2 of being cut!

If cutting cuticles worked, then why would they even need to be cut again and again, and again? Proper, non-invasive, manicuring is the only route to healthy cuticles (along with proper and vigilant home care!)
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Q:I agree with you both and particularly you, nailsplash...Barb. I'm also wondering though if this is the way that nail teks were once taught. I see clients who come in for manicures who routinely cut their cuticles on their own for one reason or another. (usually because a nail tek yrs., ago suggested that the should). Now what do we do with these clients? Although you try to educate them ie: oils, push back, etc., some of them you ultimately lose because they think YOU don't know what you are talking about! and there are STILL a lot of nail teks out there cutting cuticles. ???��..

A: Some nail techs may indeed have been educated wrong about cuticles, and so continue the practice. These techs are in desperate need of some current, up to date education on the basics! Some were initially educated wrong but now know better and still do it anyway out of fear of loosing clients!

Can you imagine any other licensed professional jeopardizing their license just to please clients? Would you really want a lawyer or Dr who is so desperate for clients that they will break the law and risk their license just to keep you happy. Wouldn't we all rather that they at least EXPLAIN why they can't do what we want. Most clients don't know that cutting is wrong because we as nail techs are not getting the message to them!

WE can't do anything about those techs who still operate improperly, but we can educate the clients as to the right way to do things! Ultimately, and in time, educated clients will demand what's "right". Explain to clients that it is ILLEGAL for us as nail techs to cut live skin because we are not doctors and our implements are not sterilized in an autoclave, and cutting does more harm than good! Ask these clients to think about where those nippers have been before they were used on them at other salons!!! That should give them something to think about. Are they really willing to risk damaging their hands through the transfer of infectious disease? Especially when it's not even a necessary risk!

(*I actually had a client say to me once: "That's why I want YOU to nip/cut them, because you at least wash and sanitize your implements. Those other salons (ie as the ones willing to nip!) keep their nippers in a drawer or a basket on top of the desk, all covered in dust, and sometimes they even make me bleed!" Arghhhhhhh! is all I could say, and then firmly stand my ground and say "NO!" So her choice became, no nipping in my nice clean and sanitary environment, or nipping in a dirty salon with dirty nippers! )

Then educate clients on the proper methods of caring for cuticles. Yes, it will take time! They didn't damage those cuticles that badly overnite afterall! (Just like loosing 10 lbs takes longer than putting on 10!)

Remind them that cuticle health is a direct reflection of nail health! HEALTHY cuticles mean the chance of long, strong, beautiful natural nails is increased. Unhealthy cuticles mean unhealthy nails. They can't even start on growing out or having nice natural nails until their cuticles are "repaired" and in good health. The longer they keep cutting, the longer it will take to repair the damage, beacuse cutting is damaging to the cuticle, which can damage the matrix (which the cuticle protects!), and so ultimately the nail itself!

Regular professional manicures, paraffin and other hydrating and conditioning treatments. Religiuos use of oils daily, and gently pushing back and massaging the cuticles daily, with NO nipping whatsoever. Keeping polish and especially "nail strengtheners" off the cuticle, which are also an irritant to the cuticle and skin. Avoiding harsh detergents, chemicals and solvents, and also minimizing lengthy hot water soaking which is drying.

Finally, as last resort with difficult clients, regarding any facet of nails that they want me to do their way rather than the right way..... "You've been doing it your way for 20-30-40 years now, and obviously you are not happy with the results or you wouldn't be here now sitting in my chair. I am an educated, licensed professional who does nothing but nails all day everyday for a living, so I might just know a little more than most peopoe what works and doesn't work when it comes to nails. So why don't we try doing it my way for a while and see what happens!"

They are paying for your expertise; if they choose to ignore it and go elsewhere that is their option. You have their best interest at heart, and you do know better than they do on this matter, PERIOD. We are not willing to risk our integrity and professionalism (and license) for a few extra measly dollars. There are plently of so called "professionals" who are willing though, so politely let clients know their options!

Ditto all the above for CREDO blades by the way! Just say NO!

Clients can be just like children sometimes in that they need us to stand our ground and set the boundries. The need us to tell them what is right and what is wrong.... and then they will still push and test to see if we'll give in and see what they can get away with! If they sense weakness or hesitation or wavering they'll go after it. If you give in even once, it only gets tougher each time. Stand firm and act sure of yourself and your skills and your knowledge.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Respectfully,

Barb "Nailsplash" Wetzel

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Replies:

Re: Cuticle cutting -- Tami, 09:57:20 09/15/04 Wed
Re: Cuticle Pushers CUTICLE NIPPERS -- Faisal Rehman, 00:04:11 06/01/06 Thu