- Proximal nail fold: The skin at the base of the nail, commonly referred to as your “cuticles. Your nail folds are protective barrier of living tissue that should not be cut. The dried/stretchy bits are keratinized skin that tends to grow more thickly after it’s been cut, as a defense mechanism. That’s why you get stuck in a vicious cycle of feeling like you need to keep cutting it. ❌ - Cuticle: The dead skin stuck to the nail plate (it shows up as the nail grows) ✅ ⚠️ A common misconception is that cuticle remover is supposed to fix overgrown nail folds. It does not. The best thing you can do to improve your nail folds is to gently nudge them back daily, and moisturize the skin. I like to use a nail oil and hand cream throughout the day, and then apply Aquaphor at night. Do this daily for a few months to see results. 🌱 Exception: Hangnails. It’s okay to safely clip those. 👌🏻 Why use cuticle remover on the nail plate? It helps create a nice smooth surface for nail polish to adhere to, so you get more wear time. 💅 nails nailcare LTKBeauty