They may just seem like excess skin you can cut away during a manicure, but that skin at the bottom of your nail bed serves an important function. Cuticles are the gatekeepers of the fingers, protecting the body from bacteria, fungus and other germs. So it's important to keep them healthy, and most of all, intact. Usually one of the first things a manicurist will do is apply cuticle softener to your nails. At this point, pay close attention to the next instrument she picks up. If it's clippers or scissors, stop her right there. Cuticles aren't meant to be cut off; they simply need hydration like most other parts of your skin. When cuticles are cut, they subject your nail bed to infection. Even when they're dry and hangnail-prone, they could be allowing in bacteria. That cuticle softener should be used simply to moisturize and ready cuticles to be pushed back, not removed.