Cuticle and metal scraper?

[allthedamnvampires]

I went to a beauty therapist for a manicure. I have rag nails. The therapist soaked my nails and scraped the entire nail with a metal scraper. She explained that the cuticle covers the whole nail and this was the way to detach the cuticles at the side from the nail. It all seemed very brutal. She didn't trim the skin at the sides of my nails and my nails don't look any better. Was she right to do this and will my nails begin to look better please?

Wow! It does sound brutal and it's not something I would choose to do with a metal tool but, so long as the beautician didn't use enough pressure to do any damage to the proximal fold (the band of skin where the nail emerges, is often mixed up with the cuticle) there shouldn't be any permanent and future damage. If you start to see little white spots or ridges as the nails grow, then she may have been too rough. Breaks or cuts in the proximal fold can also allow in bacteria. Also to be aware of, if she has removed any layers of your nails, this can weaken them.

Keep your hands and nails well moisturised and be sure to rub an oil into the 'cuticle area' daily. It doesnt have to be an expensive oil; I like coconut oil.

This article is quite helpful in identifying parts of the nail structure.

www.myblisskiss.com/blog/cuticle/