106 The manicure

completed, the cuticle should be well back and, if extensive, lifted into
a frill. The nail plate too should be completely free of any adhering
dead skin. Stubborn cuticle can be lifted using a knife (Figure 8.13).
The cuticle remover should also be used to remove any stains from
the surface of the nail, as far as possible. When all five nails are
completed, the towel or a tissue should be used to remove the surplus
cuticle remover from the nail and to effect a final pushing back of the
cuticle.
At this stage, the cuticles are clipped if necessary. It is not good
practice to clip the cuticles too much as this can in time lead to a
thickening of the skin at the base of the nail. It is better to try to
persuade the client to use a good hand cream regularly, a cuticle oil
nightly, and push back the cuticles gently with a towel after every
soaking in water. In this way, the cuticles can be encouraged to go
back into a neat line without excessive future clipping.
Some clients, however, will have problem cuticles which will need
clipping and this should be done carefully after they have been well
loosened with the cuticle remover and cuticle stick (Figure 8.14). The
cuticle should be trimmed just sufficiently to allow a tiny margin of
cuticle to remain. More than this and the epidermis will be cut and
will roll back, leaving an unsightly fringe of loose skin at the base of
the nail.
Care must also be taken not to clip into the flesh line as this results
in disproportionate and excessive bleeding due to the efficient blood
circulation in this area. If the cuticle is accidentally clipped too deeply,
a nasty cut can be caused which is often very painful and liable to
infection because of its location. Antiseptic should be applied im-
mediately if the skin is cut, and styptic powder or pressure used to
stop the bleeding. A cotton pad must always be placed between any
cut and the manicurist to prevent transmission of any blood-carried
disease. (Note that if the manicurist has any cuts on her own hands,
these must be protected by waterproof plasters, or rubber gloves or
finger gloves, during the manicure. Possible blood-to-blood contact must
be avoided at all times.)

FIGURE 8.14 Clipping away

the cuticle (if necessary)