It depends on the series. STALEKS professional pushers (Expert, Smart, PODO and the UNIQ/COMBO system) are compatible with all standard sterilisation methods including autoclave (up to 134°C), dry-heat oven and chemical sterilisation. After each client, rinse the instrument under running water to remove debris, then immerse in your approved disinfectant solution for the required contact time before sterilising. UNIQ Gummy pushers (PQ series) and COMBO UNIQ system parts should be sterilised assembled where possible to protect the aluminium threads. The Classic and Beauty & Care pushers are home lines: disinfect them with a chemical instrument disinfectant only, as they are not rated for autoclave or dry-heat sterilisation. Always follow your salon's infection control protocol.

STALEKS pushers come in several working tip styles designed for different tasks. A rounded pusher gently lifts and pushes back cuticle, hugging the natural curve of the nail plate — ideal for general cuticle care. A bevelled (slanted) pusher tackles rough, strongly adhered cuticle and is shaped like a metal orange stick for getting under the cuticle line. A loop or ring cleaner safely removes pterygium from the nail surface with minimal pressure. A bent or straight blade scrapes pterygium from tight areas and lateral nail folds. Double-ended pushers combine two working tips so you can switch tasks without changing instruments. Choose a rounded pusher for everyday work, a bevelled pusher for gel removal and stubborn cuticles, and add a cleaner or loop tip when pterygium removal is part of your procedure.

A stainless steel manicure pusher offers several advantages over disposable orangewood sticks. Metal pushers can be sterilised between every client — autoclave, dry-heat oven, and chemical sterilisation are all compatible — making them a significantly more hygienic choice in a professional setting. The precisely shaped working tips (rounded, bevelled, loop) are engineered to follow the nail plate contour exactly, reducing the risk of micro-tears or cuticle damage. Metal pushers also hold their edge far longer than wood, maintaining consistent performance across thousands of services. In a salon context, the cost per use of a quality stainless steel pusher is a fraction of disposables over time.

After every sterilisation cycle, allow the pusher to cool fully before storing — this prevents moisture retention that could accelerate any surface oxidation. Store in a dry, ventilated instrument tray or sterilisation pouch; avoid tipping multiple instruments together where the working ends can contact each other and blunt the edges. Periodically inspect the working tips under good lighting — rounded pushers should feel smooth, and cleaner or blade tips should have a crisp, burr-free edge. If a pusher feels rough or catches skin, send it to a professional sharpening service rather than continuing to use a damaged tip. The GOI paste polishing on Expert and Smart series instruments provides extra corrosion resistance, but you should still rinse disinfectant thoroughly before sterilising to avoid chemical build-up.

For beginners, the STALEKS Smart series (PS prefix) or Beauty & Care series (PBC prefix) are the most approachable starting points. Smart pushers offer professional-grade quality with a slightly softer learning curve thanks to their well-balanced corrugated handles and standard tip geometries. The PS-50/2 (rounded narrow pusher and cleaner) or PS-51/2 (rounded wide pusher and cleaner) are popular first choices because the rounded pusher shape is forgiving and the double-sided cleaner gives you two functions in one instrument. The Classic and Beauty & Care series work well for at-home manicures on natural nails. If you plan to grow into professional practice, starting with a Smart series pusher means you are learning on the same quality level used in salons — just at a lower price point than the Expert or UNIQ Gummy lines.