How to Push Back Cuticles (With or Without Tools) (2025)

Getting cuticle pushback is also a way to make your nails look attractive, elegant, and well-manicured. If you have been wondering how to push back your cuticles, this article is just for you.

Pushing back cuticles is an easy task to perform at home, and you can get them done yourself, with or without tools, once you get the steps involved in pushing the cuticles back.

This article will take you through different means to push back your cuticles correctly. If you get your cuticles pushed back the wrong way, it can cause pain, which I think you would want to afford.

Quick Content Navigation hide

  • Should You Push Back Your Cuticle?
  • 7 Steps To Make Use Of Cuticles Pushers to Push Back Cuticles
  • How To Push Back Cuticles Without Tools
  • 5 Tips On How To Remove Cuticles Safely
  • How Often Should You Push Back Cuticles?
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Push Back Your Cuticle?

Pushing back your cuticle is definitely a very good idea, By pushing back your cuticles, you’re removing dead skin cells from the nail and ensuring your manicure product sits well on your nail.

Pushing back your cuticles will give your nails a more attractive look and make them look longer, also pushing back your cuticles will make manicures last longer.

Try to avoid cutting your cuticles, as the nail root can become exposed to bacteria leading to nail infection moreover cutting the cuticles is so painful.

7 Steps To Make Use Of Cuticles Pushers to Push Back Cuticles

1. Clean up old nail polish

The first step to push back your cuticles is to clean up the nail polish you have on your nails with a cotton ball and acetone-free nail polish remover and this is to avoid pushing nail varnish chips into the cuticle bed when pushing back the cuticles, as this can lead to infections.

2. Soak your finger in warm water

After that, soak your fingers in warm water for about 5- 10 minutes. This is to soften your cuticles and proximal fold to make pushing back easier and not painful.

3. Dry up your hands

After soaking is done, shake away the water from your hands, then dry off your hands with a clean soft towel; make sure to do that gently.

4. Apply cuticles oil

Now apply cuticles oil or cream on your cuticles, this will serve as more moisturizer for your cuticles. If you don’t have cuticle oil, you can apply other oil like coconut oil, but you can easily get your cuticle oil at any beauty supply store.

5. Push back your cuticles with the cuticles pusher

Place your hands flat on a sturdy surface and gently use the flat area of your cuticle pusher or stick to push back your cuticles gently in a circular way. It is advisable to use a wooden stick.

6. Clean up the dead skin

Use a wet cloth to clean up the dead skin on your nail plate that you just pushed.

7. Wash your hands

Lastly, wash your hands with soapy warm water; any other residue left on the nail will come off. If you aren’t getting your manicure or nail polish, apply some cuticle oil to moisturize your cuticles.

How To Push Back Cuticles Without Tools

You can also push your cuticles back without using tools like cuticle remover, cuticle pusher, cuticle stick, etc.

  • Soak your hands in soapy water for around 5 minutes, then towel your hands
  • Get a match stick and use the end to push your cuticles back gently
  • Remove the dead skin cells on the nail plate with a damp towel

Another common way to push back your cuticles is to push them back after having a long warm bath. You can easily push your cuticles back with other fingers after taking a shower, and you just have to gently push them back in a circular motion using your other fingers.

5 Tips On How To Remove Cuticles Safely

Some tips to ensure that you safely pushback and remove cuticles includes;

  • 1. Use a moisturizer
  • 2. Push your cuticles gently
  • 3. Use wooden cuticle pushers
  • 4. Get your cuticles products from a reliable brand

1. Use a moisturizer

Ensure you use moisturizer it will help soften your cuticles very well.

2. Push your cuticles gently

Push back your cuticles gently, don’t use force when you are trying to push your cuticles back or when you are removing the dead skin.

3. Use wooden cuticle pushers

Make use of wooden cuticle pushers. Wooden cuticle pushers are usually gentle on the cuticles and won’t damage your nail plate.

4. Get your cuticles products from a reliable brand

Ensure you use a good brand for your cuticle oil, cuticle Removal for the health of your nails and cuticles. The product you are using matters a lot; using bad products can endanger the general health of your nails.

How Often Should You Push Back Cuticles?

You can decide how often you want to push your cuticles back, but it is advisable to push them back once a week.

Pushing back your cuticles is just another way to make your nails look more attractive and longer.

When you Push your cuticles back every week, and anytime you want to apply nail polish or fix acrylic nails, your nails will have an attractive and well-kept look.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i take care of my cuticles?

Soak your fingernails and toenails in warm ad soapy water for 10 minutes regularly, and apply cuticle oil ad massage cream to moisturize the cuticles

Does pushing cuticles back help nail growth?

No! Pushing back your cuticles does not have any medical benefit; it is just another way to make your nails look attractive.

Can I trim my cuticles?

It is advisable to just push back your cuticle rather than trimming them because there is a higher risk of getting infections if it is not done the right.

Why are my cuticles so hard to push back?

If you have accidentally damaged your cuticles it will become hard to push them back, as damaged cuticles tend to grow back very tick. Ensure you soften them well before you push them back. Cutting the cuticles can also be another reason why they are hard to push back.

Conclusion

Pushing the back cuticles will give the nail a longer, neater, and more attractive look. To push back the cuticles, you can make use of a cuticle pusher or cuticle removal, and the cuticle can also be pushed back without using any tool.

If you plan to push back your cuticles, ensure you do it gently and properly to prevent harming them.

Disclosure: This article, other beauty and fashion tips on SheBegan are contributed by experienced fashion professionals, beauty & cosmetics experts. Read our full research and editorial process here. Also, our posts may contain affiliate links, read our full affiliate disclosure

How to Push Back Cuticles (With or Without Tools) (2025)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 5909

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.