Understanding the Anatomy of a Nail Clipper
Before using a nail clipper, it is essential to familiarize yourself with its anatomy. The two primary components of a nail clipper are the top and bottom blades. The issue with most people is that they assume the cutting blade faces downwards. However, the cutting blade should face upwards to the natural curve of the nail. The lever is responsible for moving the blades towards each other to cut through the nail smoothly.
Preparing Your Nails for Clipping
Prioritize your safety whenever you decide to trim your nails using a nail clipper. Always clean the clipper with rubbing alcohol before cutting your nails. It’s ideal for ensuring that no germs or bacteria from the last nail clipping session remain. Additionally, ensure your nails are dry before cutting them, as cutting wet nails can result in an uneven clip. If your nails are too hard to cut, soak them for a few minutes in warm water to soften them.
Positioning the Clipper
When handling a nail clipper, it’s essential to have a comfortable grip. Hold the clipper in your dominant hand with your thumb on top of the lever. The other fingers should grip the bottom of the handle. Lift your nail up and position it between the clipping blades around one to two millimeters from the end of the nail you want to remove. Use your opposite hand to support the nail clipper as you press the lever down to cut the nail.
Cutting Your Nails
Press down gently on the nail clipper lever to ensure clean cutting of your nails. Avoid rushing the process, as this can result in jagged or uneven nails. When using a nail clipper, the best practice is to cut small sections of your nails until you reach your desired size. Always test the nail after each cut for the desired length. Avoid cutting your nails too short as this can result in pain, bleeding, and infections.
Aftercare
Once you have neatly trimmed your nails, ensure you file them in one direction to remove any rough edges from the cut. Make sure to clean your nail clipper using rubbing alcohol. Other than increasing the durability of the nail clipper, it also ensures that the tool is hygienic and safe to use. If you accidentally cut your skin while clipping your nail, clean the area with antiseptic solutions, and apply a band-aid to prevent infection.
