What You Need to Know About Cuticle Nippers

Cuticle clippers are essential tools for most manicurists. While electric nail files are now commonly used in classic and combination manicures, clippers remain indispensable. The market is flooded with a variety of tools, so how do you choose the perfect cuticle clippers for yourself? Is price always an indicator of quality? Does our care routine affect the longevity of the tools?

How to Choose?

Unfortunately for fans of budget shopping, but you won't find cuticle clippers priced at £5 or £10 that offer comfort and longevity. You need to decide if we want clippers that will last a long time, or if you prefer to spend less and frequently replace them.

Blade - The blade is the most crucial component of cuticle clippers. The length and shape of the blades are individual preferences; each stylist has their favourite type. However, the quality of the blades should never be compromised. The blades must fit together perfectly, close precisely when the spring is compressed, and the tips should not be curved.

Top tip! You can closely inspect the blades under a macro lens on your phone. This way, you can detect minor flaws or manufacturing errors that would otherwise be invisible but significantly impact work comfort.

Material - Always choose clippers made from surgical steel. Only this material ensures quality and durability.

How to Care for Your Clippers?

If you want your tools to last many years, you must care for them properly. Although clippers are made from hard stainless steel, they are very delicate. Any fall or impact can damage the blades. Handle them gently and carefully. When travelling, use protective covers for the blades or cases, and always store them with the blade facing upwards.

The disinfection and sterilisation process always has a degrading effect on steel. The speed of this degradation depends on two things: the quality of the steel and how we handle it. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for concentration and soaking time. Prolonged contact with the disinfectant solution or too high a concentration can dull the tools. Be very gentle when immersing them in the solution. Don’t throw the clippers; place them so the blade does not touch other metal parts, and ensure they are fully submerged in the liquid. Another very important, but often overlooked, step is thoroughly rinsing the tools to remove any solution residue and drying them. Before packaging the clippers and placing them in the autoclave, make sure their surface is dry. Drying them with a paper towel is not enough; lay them flat (with the arms of the clippers open) and leave them to dry for several hours. Occasionally, oil the clipper hinge to ensure smooth operation. This will undoubtedly improve your work comfort and extend the life of the clippers.

Use clippers only for their intended purpose, which is to remove cuticles. Cutting nails or other hard objects, like rhinestones, can damage the blades.

The foil-paper pouch must be the correct size; a pouch that is too small can be punctured by the blade, making the package non-sterile.