What is the purpose of soaking the hands before a manicure?

Soaking the hands before a manicure primarily serves the purpose of softening the skin and cuticles. This action makes it easier to manipulate the cuticles during the manicure process, allowing for more effective trimming or pushing back of the cuticles. When the skin and cuticles are softened, it reduces the risk of injury or discomfort, ensuring the client has a more pleasant experience.

While soaking can assist in other areas like preparing the nails for polish application, its most critical function lies in the softening process. This preparation is essential for a thorough and proper manicure, as it lays the groundwork for other techniques involved, such as exfoliation, shaping the nails, and applying products effectively. Thus, the emphasis on softening the skin and cuticles is vital for achieving a clean and polished final result in manicure practices.