Is It Ever Safe to Cut Your Cuticles? Here’s What Experts Say

Nails are rarely a source of controversy, but if there’s one topic that gets a lot of heat it’s cuticles. Some swear by dutifully clipping cuticles for a clean look every time you get a manicure, and some push back their cuticles routinely to get more nail space. But should you actually push back or cut your cuticles, or can these things damage your nails and put your health at risk? We reached out to a nail professional to get to the bottom of the issue. 

Is it Safe to Cut Your Cuticles? 

Generally speaking, it’s safer to avoid cutting cuticles—especially on your own at home—because it increases the risk of infection and can cause long-term damage to the nail bed. That’s why dermatologists and many nail pros recommend pushing back your cuticles instead. 

“Cuticles are meant to protect our nails and serve as a protective barrier,” says Renee Oquel Mesa, professional manicurist and expert at Ardell. “Over-trimming the cuticles can cause open wounds, irritation, infection, or inflammation.” Her one exception to this rule is if the cuticle skin is excessive after pushing the cuticles back. But even then, it might just be best to deal with the excess than risk the damage. 

Is it Safe to Push Back Your Cuticles? 

Pushing back your cuticles, which refers to gently pushing the excess cuticle skin away from the base of the nail plate, “is only damaging to nail health if the removal process is done too aggressively,” Mesa says. 

She adds, “The risks only outweigh the benefits if the cuticle pusher is used with excessive force or pressure, which can damage the nail surface overall.” Cleaning the nail surface can elongate the nail surface and improve the appearance and health of the nails. 

How to Safely Push Back Cuticles 

Using a gentle hand and the right tools, you can gently and safely push back your nail cuticles. “ This can be done using a cuticle pusher tool or a wooden cuticle stick,” Oquel Mesa says. “By removing the excess cuticle or layer of ‘dead skin,’ this step allows for a clean nail surface which enables nail products to properly adhere to the nail plate.” 

The safest way to push the cuticles back would be to soften the cuticles by applying cuticle softener and soaking them in warm water for a few minutes. Oquel Mesa says this allows the cuticle skin to soften, which makes it easier to gently push back with a cuticle pusher. 

You can do this once a week or every other week depending on your nail and cuticle growth. Just make sure to avoid pushing back your nail cuticles if you have any cuts, hangnails, or signs of infection along the cuticles and nails.