Answers · 20
Should you cut your cuticles? No, and here's what to do instead
Should you cut your cuticles? At our Kilpauk studio in Chennai they are pushed back, never cut. What to do instead, and what a manicure costs.
No. At Based Aesthetics in Kilpauk, cuticles are pushed back, never cut, and having them pushed back during a manicure or pedicure is what we suggest instead.
That is the rule in our studio for hands and feet, for women and men, whichever service you book. Here is what it means in practice, what to ask any salon, and when a doctor should come first.
What "pushed, never cut" means
The cuticle is the thin skin at the base of each nail. In our studio it is pushed back. Nothing is cut away.
If you are used to a salon that trims cuticles, this may feel different the first time. Ask us about it when you book.
What to do instead at home
If you are tempted to trim your cuticles yourself, please don't. Leave them for your next manicure or pedicure, where they will be pushed back.
Between visits:
- Leave the skin around your nails alone. Do not pick, bite or clip at it.
- If something looks wrong, read the section on seeing a doctor below first.
- If you want them tidy, book a manicure or pedicure rather than reaching for scissors.
Ask about the tools too
How a salon handles cuticles is one question. How it cleans its tools is the other.
In our studio, every reusable metal tool is sterilised in a Class-B autoclave at 134°C and sealed in a pouch with an indicator strip. The pouch is opened in front of you. Files and buffers are single-use and go home with you afterwards.
For what that process involves, see what autoclave sterilised means at a nail salon.
Questions to ask any salon
Wherever you go, these are fair questions to ask before you sit down:
- Are cuticles pushed back or cut?
- How are metal tools cleaned between clients?
- Is the tool pouch opened in front of me?
- Are files and buffers new for me, or reused?
Ask us the same questions too. A clear answer to each is part of what you are paying for.
When to see a doctor first
A manicure or pedicure is a care service, not a treatment. If the skin around a nail is sore, broken or looks infected, please see a doctor before you book anything. Our line is simple: a doctor comes first, a salon second.
If you are simply unsure where to start, use the free nail scan online, or book the free 30–40 minute nail assessment in the studio.
Booking a manicure or pedicure
A manicure starts from ₹1,000 and a pedicure from ₹1,200. A gel polish manicure is ₹1,700, and so is a gel polish pedicure. Long-wear gel lasts about 3 weeks. Whichever you book, cuticles are pushed, never cut.
For more on these prices, see how much a manicure and pedicure cost in Chennai.
Visiting the studio
We are at 11/5 Sundar Lal Nahata Avenue, Kilpauk, open daily from 11 to 8, with parking on site. Women and men are welcome. To book, WhatsApp us on +91 98848 96963. Every service and its time is on the full price list.
PriceManicure from ₹1,000 · Pedicure from ₹1,200 · Gel polish manicure ₹1,700 · Gel polish pedicure ₹1,700
Questions people also ask
Can I trim my own cuticles at home?
We would not, and in our studio cuticles are pushed back, never cut. Leave them for your next manicure, from ₹1,000, or pedicure, from ₹1,200.
How are the tools cleaned at Based Aesthetics?
Every reusable metal tool is sterilised in a Class-B autoclave at 134°C, sealed in a pouch with an indicator strip and opened in front of you. Files and buffers are single-use and go home with you.
What if the skin around my nail is sore?
Please see a doctor before you book anything, because a doctor comes first and a salon second. When you are ready, start with the free 30–40 minute nail assessment in the studio.
Written by Based Aesthetics, Kilpauk. If something on your nails worries you, a doctor comes first, a salon second.