Cuticle pushers are a type of manicure tool used to help shape the cuticles and push them back off the nails. This makes nails appear longer, smoother, and healthier. Manicure kits often come with a cheap wooden cuticle pusher, but anyone who wants an excellent manicure and healthy cuticles can find the best cuticle pusher by learning about the different types and investing a little more money in her purchase.
Typically, a cuticle pusher includes one curved end for pushing and shaping the cuticle and a sharper end for trimming the cuticle and scraping away dead skin. A cheaper cuticle cutter or one used improperly can cause cuts and may damage the skin, causing sore spots and possible infection. The best cuticle pushers have a small cutting end made to only take off the cuticle without damaging the nail or any other part of the hand.
Before taking care of her cuticles, the user should apply a cuticle lotion or oil to soften the cuticles. The cuticle pusher can then push the skin back more easily and cut off dead skin without leaving behind ragged edges of damaged cuticle. Those who struggle with hangnails may want a cuticle pusher shaped to take care of hangnails as well as trim cuticles. Others who use the cuticle pusher often should consider a smaller size to get in hard to reach places and corners of fingernails.
A buyer should first decide whether she wants a cuticle pusher only or a combination of the pusher and the cuticle cutter. Then she should determine a price range. The more expensive pushers are made of stronger materials such as stainless steel that will last much longer than wooden or plastic pushers. Certain pushers are also designed specifically to deal with sensitive skin and will not hurt when the user pushes back her cuticles. On the more expensive models with a cutter, the buyer can check the package to see if that particular model includes a lifetime guarantee on the product and the sharpness of the cutter.
Pricing for cuticle pushers ranges from a few dollars for a basic version up to $50 US Dollars (USD) for a professional version. The higher priced pushers are meant to provide the best cuticle care and last the longest. A user should determine how often she gives herself a manicure and whether the higher priced pusher is worth it, or whether a simple basic pusher will do the trick.