In today's market there are multitudes of different nippers. Almost every company
that manufactures grooming instruments produces at least a dozen. The differences
in these tools are not just the size, but different overall shapes and blades. These design modifications
allow consumers better take care of themselves, so much so, that even grooming and
medical professional use these specialized tools. Below are brief descriptions of
some of the main types of these tools and tips on how to best use them. On that
note, let our first suggestion be: Use the proper tools for the appropriate task.
Cuticle nippers
Cuticle nippers are probably the smallest of all nippers, with the smallest and
finest of jaws because when removing cuticles you should only be nipping off the
actual tiny bit of dead skin that extends from the finger. You should never cut
into the live skin surrounding the nail bed. Besides creating more hangnails and
tears in the skin running up the finger, this damages the protective "seal" between
the nail and the finger inviting dirt and infection.
To nip off the cuticle, position the nippers just above the spot where you believe
the hangnail attaches to the skin and very carefully nip once. Never pull on the
skin if it doesn't come off right away! Try nipping it off again. Leave just a minute
piece on, it most probably is live skin.
Nail Nippers
Regular nail nippers come in variety of sizes, with smaller ones meant for the finger
nails and the larger ones for tougher, thicker toenails. Since usually our nails
follow the arch of the finger and are slightly have a slight curvature the nail
nippers have specially angled concave jaws, which allow for clean, slightly curved
cuts of your nail without breaking them. The blades are shaped so that you can easily
get between the nail and the skin without causing any tears.
To cut the nails, position the open nippers on one side of the nail, with one of
the blades under the nail, and one above. With the open blades find the "line" to
which you'd like to trim the nail. Do not insert the nail too deeply between the
jaws of the nippers, the cut should be done in two (or more) steps, so that the
nail doesn't bend and break, continuing from one side to the other. If the nail
doesn't get cut right away do not try to pull or bend the nail. This could damage
the nails and the skin around it. The same process should be followed whether you
cut nails on your finger or toes, though for larger, thick, hard toenails you may
need to use a larger pair of reinforced pedicure nail nippers that have a special
reinforced spring to create more pressure for a clean, sharp cut without actually
needing to exert much pressure by you.
Pedicure Nippers for Ingrown Nails
Ingrown nails cause a lot of pain and discomfort. They occur on the sides of the
nail where it grows more than usual and pierce the skin on the sides of the finger.
If you do not know how to deal with an ingrown nail please first see a podiatrist
for treatment. If you decide to cut a slight case of an ingrown nail yourself use
a pair of nippers specifically designed for this. These pedicure nippers have flat
jaw blades. These nippers will allow you to easily and accurately access those tricky,
hard to get into corners of the toenails to get rid of the painful ingrown nails.
In addition instead of a curve created by regular nail nippers this specially designed
tool will create a straight shape of the nail so that in the future it doesn't grow
to the sides.
To avoid a possible dangerous infection the ingrown portion of the nail needs to
be carefully cut and fully removed from the affected nail bed. Until you completely
cut out the nail, do not try to pull that piece out - you may damage the skin of
the nail bed. The spot where the nail got embedded into the skin needs to be treated
against possible infection. If the nail breaks while you're cutting it all the tiny
pieces need to be carefully removed from the skin and under the nail as well.
My nippers just won't cut!
If your quality nippers no longer cut as they used to or you feel that you need
to apply more and more pressure to do the job look into the following:
- Even on great quality tools the blades eventually get dull with use and they should
be sharpened. On your next visit to the salon ask the manicurists where they sharpen
their tools, they will know a good local master.
- Nippers often have a screw that holds them together and with use it loosens. Carefully
try to tighten it to increase resistance.
- Sometimes the plates that create resistance between the blades (they look like a
wishbone) get bent out of shape. You can ask the same professional who sharpens
your blades to bend them back into shape. You may also try bending them "out" yourself
or if they are in a bad shape, get a replacement part.
Care & Cleaning:
Care and cleaning of your nippers might change depending on the material you choose,
here are some basic tips that should keep most steel instrument in good shape.
- Protect the blades of your nippers that have a lock plate by securing it whenever
the nippers are not in use.
- Don't soak your nippers in detergents or in plain water.
- Always disinfect nippers with alcohol before and after each use.
- Nippers are used for personal grooming and should not be used for any other purposes.
- If you carry your nippers together with other items consider using a protective
case for them, so that the nippers do not get damaged or dulled by interaction with
other items and do not damage the surrounding objects.
- Clean and disinfect whatever additional instrument is attached to your nippers so
that dirt is not transferred over.