Pusher for manicure: description with photo, purpose and features of use for manicure

July 21, 2018
Nail care
Ksenia Stepanishcheva

Various devices are used to carry out the manicure procedure. What is a nail pusher? What is this tool? This is a convenient device used to remove the cuticle and separate the skin around the nails from it. A pusher is the tool without which you won’t be able to perform a quality manicure. You just need to learn how to use it correctly.

Concept

Pusher for manicure – what is it? This is a device in the form of a spatula, which is used by professionals for high-quality nail design. It is usually used to remove cuticles. It also has another name - scraper. A pusher is a device that comes in different types and forms.

Usually the tool is presented in the form of a double-sided product. One of the sides is required for pushing the skin away, and the other for cutting it properly. This product is necessary for an excellent manicure and ideal hand condition.

Some people use a spatula to remove gel polish from nails. With its help, it is easy to pick up the gel layer and remove it from the nail plate. Typically, women choose multifunctional manicure pushers that are universal. They are made of steel; this material is considered a sign of high quality. The metal product is durable and does not bend when performing a manicure. Often the tool is used by masters to prepare the nail plate before extensions.

Are pusher and scraper the same thing?

Types of manicure

A pusher, or as a manicure spatula or scraper is also called, is used to process the nail plate. Approximately the same function is performed by scrapers for chamfering and deburring in metalwork shops.

Types of scrapers for manicure

The namesake of the manicure spatula is used for final surface treatment; the pusher is also designed to remove all snags and burrs, but from the nails. So these names are synonymous.

Kinds

Manicure pushers are divided into several varieties. This tool can be made of metal, plastic, wood, or silicone. There are also devices suitable for manicure and pedicure. The latter type has a wider working side, suitable for the hard cuticle on the legs; this pusher is hard and thick.

Some tools are made of plastic and may have a rubber or silicone tip on one end. This is a convenient device that is considered safe and is intended for sensitive skin and thin cuticles. The device is safe and suitable for all women.

Manicure pushers differ in functionality. They are one-sided and two-sided. The first type is simple, has a spatula at one end. It is considered less functional than a double-sided device; it is usually used only to push back the cuticle. Such devices may contain both a spatula and a hatchet. Thanks to the hatchet, which is located at one end of the double-sided tool, it will be easy to remove the pterygium.

A double-sided manicure pusher may have 2 tips. Some versions have a large spatula on one side; it is used for pedicures. And on the other side there is a narrow tip, with which you clean the skin and pick up the cuticle in hard-to-reach areas.

Pushers are also divided by shape: the working tip can be oval, almond-shaped, square, round, convex, flat. They choose them depending on their preferences and characteristics of the nails. A separate type is the magnetic spatula. This is a special device used to create patterns on magnetic nail polish.

Let's delve into the details: what is a nail pusher?

For many beginners who have never tried to take care of their hands on their own before, the manicure set will contain a colossal number of various new items, the purpose and use of which is completely vague and incomprehensible. Among them there will definitely be a pusher for manicure, which is also called a scraper. Let's figure out what it essentially is, what function this tool performs, how to choose it and how to use it correctly.

Important

Understanding what a pusher is or, as it is also called, a scraper, you can find out that it is a manicure tool in the form of an almost flat (slightly convex) plate-stick, most often made of metal, but it can be plastic or wooden. The device is double-sided, and in most cases serves to push back the cuticle before or instead of trimming it, after soaking it in warm water. The appearance of the scraper resembles a spatula, which follows the curve of the nail plate.

In addition to pushing back the cuticle, the scraper often has a second working surface; it can perform a variety of functions. For example, a special hatchet can be used to remove the pterygium (a thin layer of dermis) remaining on the nail after the cuticle is moved. This side of the pusher often has a pointed edge, so you need to work with it extremely carefully and gently. But other devices can be placed on the back of this tool, it all depends on the selected type, type, and manufacturer.

Types and types of pushers on the market

In the photo below, you can clearly see what manicure pushers can be presented on the market and what varieties exist. Basically, all types of convenient scrapers currently available for sale can be divided into three main subcategories, which determine their use.

Photo: types of pushers

Medical pushers are used exclusively for medical purposes, for example, to correct the shape of the nail, remove ingrown edges, and so on.
Pedicure scrapers are designed to work with toenails; they are most often made of durable and reliable metal. All working surfaces of such a tool are larger than in other cases.
A manicure cuticle pusher is the most common and in demand nail care tool on the market. Such scrapers can be single-sided or double-sided, the tips of which are oval, rectangular, square, flat and convex.

Doctors, as already mentioned, can be made from a wide variety of materials, for example, stainless medical steel, orange wood, polymers and others. They can also be combined, for example, plastic with metal attachments and others. It’s really difficult to say which option is most acceptable, because everyone’s nails are different, and people’s preferences are also not the same.

How to choose the right nail pusher

Having finally figured out what a manicure pusher is, you also need to figure out how to choose the right tool for yourself so that working with your nails becomes not a terrible necessary chore for you, but a simple task that you do with pleasure. Experts recommend listening to the useful and practical advice that we present to your attention.

You should not purchase scraper from inappropriate retail outlets, for example, from market stalls. It is better to give preference to a branded product, even if the cost is slightly higher, but it will last many times longer and will not fail at the most inopportune moment.
The material used to make the scraper is very important, and among professionals, those made from medical steel are considered the best. However, wooden pushers themselves have some disinfecting effect, but only if they are made from orange wood. Plastic scrapers are suitable as a temporary option while others are not available, as they break very quickly and become unusable.
It is important to choose the right tool sharpening. It should be sharp enough to easily remove cuticles and pterygium, but not so sharp as to injure the nail. To check, simply run the work surface lightly over your palm. If no scratches or unpleasant sensations arise, then you can buy the tool.
Ease of use is very important, so make sure that the scraper handle fits well in your hand and does not slip or twist, otherwise injuries from slipping, especially with the correct sharpening, cannot be avoided.

The correct choice of the shape of the working surface of the scraper also plays an important role, and here the main criterion will be the own shape of the nails. Professionals prefer to have a whole diverse set of tools, but for ordinary people this can result in a very significant amount, since the cost of professional tools on the market today is quite high. For narrow, elongated nails, take an oval pusher, and for wide ones, you can take a square, round, flat, and so on. “Try it on” to your nail and you will immediately understand whether it suits you or not.

Difference

Many people believe that a pusher, scraper and trimmer are the same devices, but this is not entirely true. What is a pusher, scraper? These two tools are similar in appearance and functionality, as they peel back the skin. Therefore, the concepts are synonymous. A trimmer is a hatchet that is used to cut off the cuticle and hangnails around the nails.

The pusher is also compared to a manicure curette. The latter is required to cleanse the skin of dead cells that are usually found in the spaces between the nails and the skin. The device also removes hard cuticles around the toenails. Typically, a curette is used in pedicures. It is presented in the form of a solid iron and thin stick, bent at the end. Another tool eliminates ingrown toenails. A curette differs from a pusher in functionality and shape.

Judging by the photo, pushers for manicure are varied. To make the right choice, you should familiarize yourself with the best brands.

Stark is a company that produces devices for manicure and pedicure. Pushers of this brand are made of durable medical steel and equipped with a comfortable handle that does not slip in your hands. All models of this tool have their own functionality. There are pushers that have a curette at one end.

How to choose?

The choice should be approached quite seriously. You need to take into account several factors. Convenience in working with a pusher is a fundamental criterion.

The master should be comfortable working with the tool, his hand should not slip. This is especially important when removing cuticles. It is better to choose a device with a ribbed handle.

It is worth paying special attention to the shape of the blade. A manicure pusher cutter that is too wide will not allow you to work with your little finger. It simply won't fit there.

Pay attention when choosing the material from which your future manicure assistant is made. Wooden pushers are the safest. They are useful where work must be performed with special attention and care.

Zinger

Another well-known brand that produces cuticle pushers. The company also produces files, trimmers, scrapers, scissors, and polishes. The devices are distinguished by the presence of two tips, one of which is cone-shaped and the other in the form of a spatula. Moreover, the latter differ in shape and width. There are also file tips on the reverse side. The average cost of devices is 350 rubles.

Contacts

Telegram “Honest Dmitry from HP!”: links change
Telegram channel “Secret matches”: links change
Instagram dimafromhp: dimafromhp
Telegram channel “PUSHER Corners”: links change
Telegram channel "INSIDE-RADAR": links change analogue to secret matches

Essence

Essence nail pushers are used to gently remove cuticles, which is why they have special ceramic tips. This material allows you to gently and painlessly remove the skin around your nails. Pushers of this brand are professional tools. The manufacturer produces many pushers with a rubber tip. These devices are designed for thin and sensitive skin around the fingernails.

Mertz

The Mertz company produces high-quality pushers for manicure and pedicure. With them, the skin around the fingers is not injured, and the tips are easy to cut and separate the skin from the nail without leaving a scratch on the nail plate. Pushers of this brand are double-sided. One tip is in the form of a sharp arrow for treating the sides of the nail, and the second is in the form of a spatula, intended for the cuticle.

Description of telegrams from the channel “Pusher on Corners”

The telegram channel “Pusher for Corners” was created on May 8, 2022. The number of subscribers is just over 18 thousand people. The first message on the channel presented supposedly the results of tests on the strategy and the results obtained. Anyone who has the slightest bit of experience in sports betting will immediately understand that these figures are designed for people who are far from the world of sports, excitement, mathematics, and even more so an understanding of the operating principle of bookmakers. So what we see in the screenshot:

"Calculations"

The initial bank was 100,000 rubles;
Bets were placed in a fixed amount of 1,000 rubles;
Wins and losses are 698/302
Average odds 1.72

And what's the result? The bank was increased by 2,000%, that is, a little more than 2 million rubles. The question is, how? Taking into account the drops in the odds, they would have played flat at best to zero. Only people with an intellect just above a stool can believe the given figures of “Honest” Dmitry from KhP.

Choice

It is important to choose a quality tool so that it is not useless. If you purchase an unreliable pusher, you can ruin your manicure or cause injury. Hangnails may appear and the condition of the skin around the nails may worsen.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the material, since a low-quality device will not only be useless, but can also ruin your manicure. If you purchase a low-quality pusher or a device that is poorly sharpened, then its use can lead to hangnails and deterioration of the skin around the nails. The most reliable material is medical stainless steel. There are also plastic pushers, but they break easily when doing manicures.

Wooden pushers, which are considered absolutely safe, are in demand. But they don't last long. It is imperative to take into account that this tool must be well sharpened. It's better to do this manually. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the handle: it should not slip out. The size of the tool depends on the size of your hand. They range from 110-150 mm.

An important nuance is the tip, as it is selected according to the shape of the nails. If they are round, almond-shaped, then you should not choose a device with a square tip. The most convenient is the oval tool, which is considered universal.

When purchasing a device, you need to take into account the size of the nozzle, since the tip can be very wide, especially for pedicure devices. Manicure tools are usually smaller and smaller in width. It is important to check the pusher: you need to check it against the palm of your hand, without pressing too hard on the skin. If the touch does not lead to unpleasant sensations, then you can use such a device. During use, high-quality care of the pusher is required. It is sharpened and disinfected after each use.

Video hint on how to use a pusher and what it is

Doing a manicure yourself is not at all as difficult as it might seem, as evidenced by the video below. It describes in detail what a scraper or pusher is, what it can be and how to work with it correctly.

The most important thing in this matter is not to rush anywhere, since haste will not lead to anything good, choose an exclusively high-quality tool, regardless of the price, and also act with the utmost care and precision. Make sure that the tool is always clean, as are your hands, then everything will be fine and no problems will arise.

Terms of use

How to use a manicure pusher? First you need to moisten the skin around the nail plates, because this will make the process of removing it easier. Otherwise, when removing hard and dry cuticles, it will be damaged. In addition, painful sensations will appear.

When performing a manicure, you must use special products designed to soften and remove the cuticle. Oil or a special cream is also used for this. It is applied with a brush or cotton swab to the skin near the nail and left for several minutes. Then the skin needs to be softened even better. To do this, take a warm bath: immerse your hands in a container of water for 5 minutes. Then the nail plates and skin are wiped with dry wipes or cotton pads. Afterwards you can use a pusher.

First, the part of the tool that is similar to a spatula is used. With it, the cuticle moves back at an angle of 45 degrees, and it is necessary to start from the edge of the nail to the base. First, the side edge is processed, then lowered to the base, and then raised to the second side edge of the nail. The procedure is repeated with each finger.

After pushing back the cuticle, use the sharp side of the tool. It is used to remove the cuticle that is in the corners of the nail plates. Another tool is used to clean the space under the nails. The operation is performed after the manicure is completed with a pusher.

Using an orange stick

Important! When using the tool, observe hygiene and storage rules.

The nail service has a wide range of procedures: from cleansing to decorative. When visiting a salon or a specialist, it is important to ensure the cleanliness of the instrument. Each time a new wand is used for a new client.

Cleaning your nails

Gently run the pointed end under the nails to remove any accumulated dirt.

Convenience lies in the strength, mobility of the material, and at the same time its softness, due to which the skin under the plate is not damaged.

An important nuance: after the procedure, it must be treated with antiseptics or changed.

Use wood to clean the top layer of the nail. It is necessary to soak and moisten the nail plate. Then, with gentle movements and pressure, walk across the area. This removes the upper keratinized layer of cells.

Cuticle correction

In manicure, the orange stick is increasingly used to correct the cuticle. Previously, it was cut, injuring the skin. It's unsafe and unpleasant. And with the help of an environmentally friendly and soft tool, specialists quickly remove excess skin.

There are clear instructions:

Soak your fingertips in the softening solution for 5-10 minutes.
Apply a special gel remover to the cuticle. It will help soften the skin.
Use gentle movements with the pointed end to push the skin beyond the nail.

This style is called European unedged manicure. It is safer and does not injure the skin to the point of bleeding (such damage is fraught with infection).

Drawing

Use a thin pointed end to make streaks with gel polish or apply small details to the nail plate: rhinestones, sparkles.

I use it in the dots technique. This is the name for drawings made from dots. Usually, to create, you need a special tool with rounded tips in the form of balls at the ends. But some craftsmen use an orange stick sharpened with a file.

In addition to it, the following materials and tools are needed for dots drawings:

Background color.
Lacquer for circles.
Fixing layer.
Palette.

Dots technique

Beginners will find step-by-step instructions useful.

The main color (a) is applied to the nail plate and allowed to dry. Make a palette from the desired varnishes. Keep in mind that they dry out quickly, so don't pour too much. You can make small convenient containers from foil.

Dip the blunt end of an orange stick into the polish, pick up a small amount and press firmly onto the nail. You should get a circle with clear edges. If several colors are used, then there should be several sticks for convenience. The finished drawing is covered with a fixing layer.

Important! The varnish penetrates into the layers of wood - such a tool is no longer considered sterile. However, it can be used as a brush for future designs.

Complex patterns and contours

Another option is to apply streaks. To do this you will need tools of different diameters.

The sharp end will allow you to draw an even outline, and the thicker end will make a mark. When creating the latter, it is important to spread the varnish already on the nail, and apply the contours from the end of the tool.

It will take time to make them even. Such designs on nails will be more original than ready-made stamps.

Building up

Orange manicure sticks help with extensions.

Masters use it:

to remove softened acrylic;
for gluing tips;
when laying out forms made of acrylic or biogel.

Other uses

You can use the tool for other nail art tasks. For example:

Use the sharp end to remove excess polish on the inside of the nail. To do this, wrap it in a small amount of cotton wool, moisten it in acetone and remove the excess with a sharp edge. The tip is thinner than a regular cotton swab, so there is no risk of damaging the finished design.
The layer of gel polish that needs to be removed is moistened with acetone. Then the edge is pryed with the beveled end of the tool and removed. If everything is done correctly, the coating will easily come off the nail.

Sharpening

This is an important procedure to extend the life of the device. Without sharpening, you won’t be able to use the device for a long time; it will become dull and harm your nails and skin. Experts believe that tools need to be sharpened at least once a year, but if the device is used frequently, it should be done more often. Sharpening can be done using a machine.

First, an abrasive wheel is used to provide a rough grind. Then you need to move on to polishing the sharpened tool. You also need to smoothly grind its edges to update the tool. Experts also advise smoothing the surfaces of the pusher when sharpening with a flexible engraver is performed.

After sharpening with a machine, the tip of the tool must be dulled. This is required to protect against cutting during manicure. It can be dulled with a diamond block. The edges must be sanded with special devices.

Some people use simple sharpening methods, such as sandpaper. It is glued to a thin nail file with double-sided tape, and then the tip of the pusher is sharpened with it. This grinding can sharpen manicure tools to a sharp state. Regular procedures can significantly extend the life of devices.