NAIL CARE METHOD USING NAIL BIT WITHOUT USING NIPPER

Abstract

Provided is a nail care method using a nail bit, and in particular, a method for trimming nails before performing nail art, thus providing a method for enhancing the durability and aesthetics of the nail art. According to the nail care method, a separated space (reference line) is first formed between the eponychium and cuticle, and then the cuticle separated from the eponychium is removed. Accordingly, the cuticle can be safely removed without using a separate oil remover or chemicals or tools such as pushers and nippers. Furthermore, a stepped portion of a certain height is formed between the end of the eponychium line and the surface of the nail, and an undercut is formed below the end of the eponychium, whereby an effect similar to forming a shadow between the eponychium and the nail surface is exhibited.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a nail care method using a nail bit to trim fingernails or toenails, and more specifically, to a method for safely removing cuticle and loose skin using a nail bit without using tools such as cuticle removers, pushers, or nippers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method that forms a step of a predetermined height between the distal end of the eponychium line and the nail surface and forms an undercut at the lower portion of the eponychium, thereby enhancing the durability of nail art, improving the integration between the finger, the nail, and the nail art, and clearly distinguishing the eponychium wall, the nail and the eponychium line to enhance the aesthetics of the nail art.

BACKGROUND ART

The following description merely provides background information related to the present invention and does not constitute prior arts.

Recently, the nail beauty market has grown explosively, and methods of nail art have also diversified, including attaching artificial nails of various designs or directly creating various patterns on the nails.

To attach artificial fingernails or artificial toenails to fingernails or toenails, or directly design fingernails or toenails, proper trimming of the nails is essential, especially ensuring the clean treatment of both the nail surface and the cuticle-the thin layer of skin that covers the base of the nail.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cuticle located at the end of the eponychium of the fingernail grows together with the fingernail and gradually keratinizes to become loose skin. Since the loose skin and cuticle degrade cleanliness and appearance of the nail, their removal is necessary. Especially, during nail art procedures, the loose skin and cuticle reduce adhesive force between the fingernail and nail art, and roughen the surface, resulting in reduction of aesthetics.

Therefore, for clean nail care, removing the cuticles and loose skin is essential.

Conventionally, to remove cuticles, tools such as cuticle removers (oil removers), pushers, and nippers are used. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the cuticle and the eponychium, excessive use of pushers and nippers may injure the eponychium, and it is difficult to completely remove the cuticle and loose skin.

Since the cuticle is essential for preventing moisture loss from the skin and protecting the fingernail from external contaminants, it must be removed carefully. If a minor wound occurs during removal of the cuticle, the risk of infection by bacteria or viruses increases. If inflammation is caused at the nail-forming area, the fingernail grows unevenly or becomes deformed.

Meanwhile, ‘gel nail’ as a kind of nail art is becoming increasingly popular. Gel nail refers to a type of nail art that uses UV gel, which hardens quickly when exposed to UV light. UV gel produces less odor, has low toxicity, and lasts for a long time (three to four weeks). However, if any cuticle or loose skin remains on the nail, the surface of the gel nail becomes rough, gloss of the gel nail diminishes, and aesthetics is lost. If gel nail is applied too close to the cuticle, it may be exfoliated due to cuticle movement.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0137287 discloses a method for trimming fingernails using various nail bits.

However, the document discloses only the types of bits used at each trimming stage, their rotational speeds, and usage methods, and does not specifically describe how to remove cuticle without damaging the eponychium or how to enhance aesthetics during nail art procedures.

Therefore, there is a need for a method that can safely and easily remove the cuticle and loose skin from the eponychium without using cuticle removers, pushers, or nippers. Furthermore, there is a demand for a nail care method that improves the durability and aesthetics of nail art using gel nails and the like.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a nail care method using a nail bit for safely removing cuticle and loose skin without damaging the eponychium by clearly distinguishing the cuticle and loose skin from the eponychium using a nail bit, without using tools such as oil removers, pushers, or nippers. In addition, the present invention provides a method that forms a step of a predetermined height difference between the distal end of the eponychium line and the nail surface and forms an undercut at the lower portion of the eponychium, thereby enhancing the durability of nail art during nail art procedures such as gel nails, and improving the aesthetics of the nail art.

Technical Solution

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a nail care method using a nail bit according to the present invention including: 1) a step of forming a reference line by separating a connection portion between an eponychium and a cuticle; and 2) a step of removing the cuticle and loose skin located below the separated reference line. The reference line refers to a space separated between the eponychium and the cuticle. As the cuticle is separated from the eponychium, the cuticle to be removed becomes clearly distinguishable, allowing further nail trimming without damaging the eponychium.

The step 1) of the present invention may include: pressing down a fingertip above the nail so that skin above the cuticle is slightly pushed toward the cuticle; forming a shadow line between the displaced eponychium and the cuticle; and performing cutting while moving a cutting bit along the shadow line in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction such that a cutting surface of the cutting bit is parallel to the shadow line, to form the reference line. By forming the shadow line, the boundary between the eponychium and the cuticle can be more clearly identified.

The step 2) of the present invention may include: removing the separated cuticle and loose skin by moving a diamond bit in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, or completely removing the remaining cuticle and loose skin by moving the diamond bit from a lower portion of the eponychium toward the tip of the nail. Since the removal of the cuticle and loose skin is performed below the clearly formed reference line, it reduces the risk of damaging the eponychium compared to conventional methods using oil removers, pushers, or nippers, and has the advantage that even less skilled operators can perform the procedure relatively easily.

The present invention may further include, after step 2), a step 3) of removing loose skin from a side line and building an eponychium wall. By simultaneously removing the loose skin of the side line and forming the eponychium wall, the side line and the eponychium line are more smoothly connected. Additionally, the wall-building process creates a height difference between the end of the eponychium line and the nail surface, and the height difference creates a shadow effect between the eponychium and the nail surface, causing the depth of the line between the nail and the eponychium during nail art, thereby clearly defining the boundaries and significantly improving aesthetics. The step 3) may include: removing the loose skin present on the side line using an upper portion and an edge portion of a metal stick bit, while allowing the metal stick bit to pass along the inclined portion of the eponychium line. At this time, while the axial direction of the metal stick bit is maintained perpendicular to the side line and the eponychium line, the metal stick bit starts to move from the end of one side line of the nail, proceeds through the corner along the eponychium line in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, reaches the end of the opposite side line, and then proceeds in the reverse direction.

The present invention may further include, after step 3), a step 4) of removing cuticle located at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail, and forming an undercut beneath the eponychium. The undercut allows the nail art to be positioned underneath the eponychium during the nail art procedure, thereby enhancing the durability of nail art, improving the integration between the finger, the nail, and the nail art, and clearly distinguishing the eponychium wall, the nail and the eponychium line to enhance the aesthetics of the nail art.

The step 4) may include: in a skin-up state in which the fingertip above the nail is pushed upward toward the back of the hand to expose the cuticle existing at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail, removing the cuticle and loose skin while a top side (abrasive surface) of the metal stick bit is aligned parallel to the nail and is moved from one end of the side line of the nail to the other end of the side line along the eponychium line in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction to additionally remove the cuticle and loose skin, and forming an undercut at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail.

The present invention may further include a step of removing the cuticle and loose skin attached to the end of the eponychium after the step 4). Through this step, the cuticle and loose skin on the eponychium line are removed, resulting in a rounded clean eponychium line. The step of removing the cuticle and loose skin attached to the end of the eponychium is performed by moving a ball diamond bit in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from one starting point of the nail to the opposite point in the skin-up state.

The present invention may further include: a step of removing remaining loose skin adjacent to the side line, corners, and eponychium line using a kill bit, and a step of removing calluses around the nail using a callus bit, or removing hangnails and residual loose skin around the nail using a sanding bit.

Advantageous Effect

The nail care method according to the present invention can first form a separated space (reference line) between the eponychium and the cuticle, and then remove the cuticle separated from the eponychium, thereby safely removing the cuticle without using additional tools such as oil removers, pushers, or nippers.

Furthermore, the nail care method according to the present invention forms a height difference between the end of the eponychium line and the nail surface, producing a shadow effect between the eponychium and the nail surface to give a sense of depth to the line between the nail and the eponychium during nail art, and make the nail and the eponychium line more clearly distinguishable, thereby improving the aesthetics of the nail art.

In addition, the nail care method according to the present invention can improve the durability of nail art by removing the cuticle and loose skin adjacent to the eponychium wall and below the eponychium and forming an undercut beneath the eponychium enhance the integration of the finger, nail, and nail art, and clearly distinguish the eponychium wall, the nail and the eponychium line, thereby enhancing the aesthetics of the nail art.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the names of parts of a fingernail.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the steps of a nail care method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates types and usage positions of nail bits used in the nail care method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the steps of the nail care method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example of gel nail art performed after nail care according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a case in which gel nail art is performed without removing cuticle and loose skin.

MODE FOR INVENTION

The Terms used in this specification are provided for description of the exemplary embodiments, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In this specification, singulars in sentences include plural unless otherwise noted. It will be understood in the specification that the term “comprises”, when used herein, specifies the presence of components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of other components.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to easily carry out the invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be implemented in various other forms.

A detailed description of one embodiment of a nail care method according to the present invention is as follows.

1) Step of Forming Reference Line by Separating Eponychium From Cuticle and Loose Skin

FIGS. 2A(a) and FIG. 4(a) show a top view and a side view of a finger before nail trimming. For convenience, only the cuticle is illustrated under the eponychium, but the cuticle and loose skin may exist simultaneously.

First, by gently pressing down (□) the fingertip above the nail, the skin above the cuticle is slightly pushed in the direction of the cuticle, thereby creating a shadow line (dead line) between the pushed eponychium and the cuticle (refer to FIG. 2A(b) and FIG. 4(b)). By forming the shadow line, a boundary between the eponychium and the cuticle can be more clearly identified.

Using the cutting surface of a cutting bit illustrated in FIG. 3(a), the cuticle is separated from the eponychium along the shadow line. At this time, the cutting bit should be held such that the nail and the cutting surface are perpendicular, and the shadow line and the cutting surface are parallel.

If the cutting surface of the cutting bit is not correctly used or is misaligned, it may injure the eponychium, so great care is needed. The cutting should be performed until the cutting surface touches the nail. As illustrated in FIG. 2A(c), the cutting bit is moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction along the shadow line to perform the cutting. The cutting should be done gently and in several passes to avoid damaging the nail surface, and according to the cutting, the reference line is formed as illustrated in FIG. 2A(d) (see also FIG. 4(c)).

That is, the reference line refers to a space separated between the eponychium and the cuticle. As the cuticle is separated from the eponychium, the cuticle to be removed becomes clearly distinguishable, allowing further nail trimming without damaging the eponychium.

2) Step of Removing the Separated Cuticle and Loose Skin

The cuticle and loose skin separated from the eponychium in step 1) are removed using a diamond bit as illustrated in FIG. 3(b). The diamond bit is moved in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow {circle around (1)} in FIG. 2A(e) to remove the separated cuticle and loose skin. In this instance, since the cuticle contains more moisture than the loose skin and tends to be sticky, the cuticle is not easily removed. Therefore, the diamond bit is further moved from the lower portion of the eponychium toward the tip of the nail as indicated by arrow {circle around (2)} to completely remove the remaining cuticle and loose skin (see FIG. 4(d)).

Since the removal of the cuticle and loose skin is performed below the clearly formed reference line, it reduces the risk of damaging the eponychium compared to conventional methods using oil removers, pushers, or nippers, and has the advantage that even less skilled operators can perform the procedure relatively easily.

3) Step of Removing Loose Skin From Side Line and Building Eponychium Wall

After completing the step 2), the cross-section of the nail and eponychium forms an inclined surface at the junction of the nail and the eponychium due to the cutting surface of the cutting bit used during the formation of the reference line as illustrated in FIG. 4(d). The inclined cross-section makes it difficult to clearly distinguish the boundary between the nail and the eponychium during nail art procedures, thereby reducing aesthetics and causing the nail art to detach easily from the nail by the residual loose skin beneath the eponychium.

In this step, an upper portion and an edge portion of the metal stick bit, as illustrated in FIG. 3(c), are used to remove the loose skin present on the side line while allowing the metal stick bit to pass over the inclined portion of the eponychium line.

For right-handed operators, the movement of the metal stick bit starts from the end of the left side line of the nail (see FIG. 2A(f)), proceeds along the side line (see FIG. 2B(g)) and the corner portion, and follows the eponychium line (see FIG. 2B(h)) in the clockwise direction to the end of the right side line, and then proceeds in the counterclockwise direction. The above process is repeated until the loose skin of the side line is sufficiently removed and the eponychium wall is properly formed. During the procedure, the axial direction of the metal stick bit must be maintained perpendicular to the side line and the eponychium line.

As described above, by simultaneously performing loose skin removal on the side line and building the eponychium wall, the side line and the eponychium line are more smoothly connected. Additionally, the wall-building process creates a height difference between the end of the eponychium line and the nail surface (see FIG. 4(e)), and the height difference creates a shadow effect between the eponychium and the nail surface, causing the depth of the line between the nail and the eponychium during nail art, thereby clearly defining the boundaries and significantly improving aesthetics.

4) Step of Removing Cuticle at Boundary Between Eponychium and Nail and Forming Undercut Beneath Eponychium

Through the step 3), as the eponychium wall is formed, the cuticle remaining at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail is exposed (see FIG. 2B(i)). Such residual cuticle can reduce adhesive force of nail art during nail art procedures.

In this step, the cuticle present at the boundary between the eponychium wall and the nail is removed, while simultaneously forming an undercut beneath the eponychium. The undercut not only allows the nail art to be placed beneath the eponychium, improving the durability of nail art and enhancing the integration of the finger, nail, and nail art, but also helps define the boundary between the nail and eponychium line together with the eponychium wall, thereby enhancing the overall aesthetics.

First, the fingertip above the nail is pushed upward (skin-up, □) toward the back of the hand as shown in FIG. 4(f), thereby exposing the cuticle (●) at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail.

Using the top side (abrasive surface) of the metal stick bit shown in FIG. 3(d), aligned parallel to the nail, the metal stick bit is moved starting from the end of the left side line of the nail (see FIG. 2A(f)), along the side line (see FIG. 2B(j)) and the corner portion, and following the eponychium line (see FIG. 2B(k)) in the clockwise direction to the end of the right side line, and then back in the counterclockwise direction. During the above process, the cuticle and loose skin on the side line and the cuticle remaining at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail are removed.

After removing the cuticle exposed at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail through the above process, releasing the skin-up pressure allows the eponychium to return to the original position, thereby forming an undercut at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail.

5) Step of Removing Loose Skin From Side Line, Corner, and Eponychium Line

The loose skin remaining during Steps 1) to 4) is removed. If the cuticle and the loose skin have already been sufficiently removed, this step may be omitted.

A kill bit, as shown in FIG. 3(e), is used to remove the loose skin remaining near the side line, the corners, and the eponychium line. Through this step, the eponychium line becomes more clearly defined.

6) Step of Removing Cuticle at the End of Eponychium

This step involves removing the cuticle remaining at the end of the eponychium cleaned through step 4). The remaining cuticle may originally have been part of the eponychium, or may have become noticeable or formed during steps 1) to 4) or 1) to 5).

While gently maintaining the skin-up position (▭), the end of the eponychium is cleaned using a ball diamond bit as illustrated in FIG. 3(f) (see FIG. 4(h)). The ball diamond bit is moved in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from one starting point of the nail to the opposite starting point, as illustrated in FIG. 2B(l), to additionally remove the cuticle and loose skin at the end of the eponychium.

Through this step, the cuticle and loose skin on the eponychium line are removed, resulting in a rounded clean eponychium line.

7) Step of Removing Calluses Around Nail

Calluses around the nail are removed using a callus bit, as illustrated in FIG. 3(g). If there are no calluses to remove, this step may also be omitted.

8) Step of Removing Hangnails and Remaining Loose Skin

This step involves removing hangnails and any remaining loose skin around the nail using a sanding bit as illustrated in FIG. 3(h), and also serves to refine the side lines, corners, and cuticle lines of the nail. Compared to the stick bit, the sanding bit has a rougher abrasive surface and thus higher cutting power. Step 8) may also be omitted as needed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example where gel nail art is applied after removing the cuticle and loose skin from the nail according to the above-described embodiment, and FIG. 6 illustrates a case where gel nail art is applied without performing the eponychium wall-building step of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the nail care method according to the present invention is performed, the surface gloss of the gel nail is excellent, the integration between the nail and gel nail is improved, and a shadow is formed between the nail and the eponychium, making the boundary between them more distinct and thereby enhancing aesthetics.

As described above, the nail care method according to the present invention differs from conventional cuticle removal methods using nippers and pushers in that a reference line is first formed on the cuticle located at the eponychium, allowing the cuticle to be clearly distinguished and removed using a nail bit, thereby preventing wounds, bleeding, or inflammation caused by damage to the eponychium and allowing even less experienced individuals to easily perform cuticle care.

In addition, the nail care method according to the present invention forms a wall (a height difference formed between the end of the eponychium line and the surface of the nail) along the eponychium line and forms an undercut at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail to create a shadow between the eponychium and the surface of the nail, thereby enhancing the aesthetics of nail art during nail art procedures.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a nail care method for trimming fingernails, toenails, etc., using a nail bit, and thus has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A nail care method using a nail bit, comprising:

1) a step of forming a reference line by separating a connection portion between an eponychium and a cuticle;

2) a step of removing the cuticle and loose skin located below the separated reference line;

3) a step of removing loose skin from a side line and building an eponychium wall; and

4) a step of removing the cuticle at a boundary between the eponychium and a nail and forming an undercut beneath the eponychium,

wherein the step 1) includes: pressing down a fingertip above the nail so that skin above the cuticle is slightly pushed toward the cuticle; forming a shadow line between the displaced eponychium and the cuticle; and performing cutting while moving a cutting bit along the shadow line in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction such that a cutting surface of the cutting bit is parallel to the shadow line, to form the reference line at the connection portion between the eponychium and the cuticle,

wherein the step 2) includes removing the separated cuticle and loose skin by moving a diamond bit in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, or completely removing the remaining cuticle and loose skin by moving the diamond bit from a lower portion of the eponychium toward the tip of the nail,

wherein the step 3) includes removing loose skin existing on the side line and an inclined surface portion of the eponychium line using an upper portion and an edge portion of a metal stick bit, allowing an axial direction of the metal stick bit to be perpendicular to the side line and the eponychium line, and moving the metal stick bit from one end of a side line of the nail to the other end of the side line along the eponychium line in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction,

wherein the step 4) includes: in a skin-up state in which the fingertip above the nail is pushed upward toward the back of the hand to expose the cuticle existing at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail, removing the cuticle and loose skin while a top side (abrasive surface) of the metal stick bit is aligned parallel to the nail and is moved from one end of the side line of the nail to the other end of the side line along the eponychium line in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction to additionally remove the cuticle and loose skin, and forming an undercut at the boundary between the eponychium and the nail.

2. The nail care method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of removing cuticle attached to an end of the eponychium after the step 4).

3. The nail care method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of, after the step 4), in the skin-up state, additionally removing cuticle and loose skin from the end of the eponychium by moving a ball diamond bit from one starting point of the nail to an opposite starting point in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

4. The nail care method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of removing remaining loose skin near the side line, corner, and eponychium line using a kill bit.

5. The nail care method according claim to 4, further comprising:

a step of removing calluses around the nail using a callus bit, or removing hangnails and residual loose skin around the nail using a sanding bit.

6. The nail care method according to claim 2, further comprising:

a step of removing calluses around the nail using a callus bit, or removing hangnails and residual loose skin around the nail using a sanding bit.

7. The nail care method according to claim 3, further comprising:

a step of removing calluses around the nail using a callus bit, or removing hangnails and residual loose skin around the nail using a sanding bit.

8. The nail care method according to claim 4, further comprising:

a step of removing calluses around the nail using a callus bit, or removing hangnails and residual loose skin around the nail using a sanding bit.