I was also taught to cut the eponychium being told that it was "cuticle" and needed to be cut away to make the manicure look neat and tidy.
I never liked doing it, terrified me in fact, so I am so grateful to this site for once again teaching me the CORRECT ways of doing things! And now I don't need to use those awful nippers unless absolutely necessary for any little stubborn bits that won't come off as others have described.
It's due to cuticle nippers being used on me as to why I've not had a pedicure for years, as every time I had one, they would use the nippers on me and cut my toes!! I have such teeny tiny toes and despite asking for them to NOT use them on me, I was told it was necessary and I would be cut every single time, then the immediate spray of antiseptic to stop the bleeding and I nearly went through the roof with the pain!! Put me off for life!
It's awful that this method is still being taught and used in colleges. So grateful for the correct information on here :hug: