A manicure is a great way to take care of your nails and cuticles without the hassle of doing it yourself – normally. Also, who doesn’t love to get pampered every once and awhile with a pop of color on your nails? At nail salons, they typically use nippers to trim the excess skin growing over your cuticles. Have you ever heard of a Russian manicure before? Well, you will now.

WHAT IS A RUSSIAN MANICURE?

Cuticles are an important part of your nails and certainly of maintaining healthy nails. The cuticle is the layer of skin at the beginning of your nail bed and its purpose is to protect the matrix (the part under your nail that produces cells to become and form the nail plate) from bacteria or foreign particles. There is plenty of controversy on pushing back or cutting your cuticles, which is mainly done to elongate the nail as a whole. It is personal preference on doing anything to the cuticle. Some people argue it damages the skin and lessens the natural ability to protect the matrix, others don’t see any problem with it. However, cutting your cuticles with a nipper tends to have the most uneven and on occasion, painful results. Nippers are the nail tool used to pinch and trim away excess skin around the nail and the cuticles. These can pierce the skin and cut too deeply into the skin, causing small wounds and inflammation. Nothing is worse for your nails than having inflamed, stinging sores that have to heal around your nail polish. (Oh the burn!) With a Russian manicure, an entirely different technique and instrument are used for the cuticles. Using an e-file (the electronic nail drill typically used for acrylics and filled nails), the tool removes the excess skin surrounding the nail bed, just as a nipper does, but with a tiny e-file headpiece. This avoids cutting the nail too aggressively and allows the nail technician to have more control. The name “Russian manicure” somehow spawned without a real source as to why it was named that. Only those licensed and trained to use an e-file should give Russian manicures for a professional job and result. An e-file runs fast and buffs the nail, which unless trained to handle it correctly, can result in damage to your nail bed and plate. With the type of manicure, your nail is perfectly trimmed and smooth around the edges, ideal for applying a seamless polish. Once you try this manicure, you’ll see the difference and how much easier it is to trim your cuticles without the nicks from a nipper! Choosing to have your nails done at a spa offers you plenty more peace and tranquility. Let’s be honest, we get our nails done to hide away from life for an hour or two anyway! There’s nothing better than a relaxing atmosphere with the staff who cater to you like a queen. The health and maintenance of your nails are important, aside from adding a bit of fab to your appearance! Credit: Botanica Day Spa