There is no definitive boundary of what one is makpid (particular) to remove. Flaky skin may be bothersome, but that does not mean one is makpid to remove it. Most women are not makpid about tiny peeling pieces of skin. Large pieces should be gently removed. Tiny pieces need not be removed. Soaking in hot water beyond what is normal for mikveh preparation, or excessive scrubbing, should be avoided since it will generally make the skin peel even more. It may help to use moisturizing cream for a few days prior to mikveh to help smooth the area. Cream should not be applied so close to immersion that a residue remains on the skin.

Cuticles that are intact are part of the body and are not a chatzitzah (barrier). They do not need to be removed or cut. Only peeling cuticles that are bothersome and that women generally prefer to remove should be gently removed. Just as with hanging skin, small cuticles that are difficult or painful to remove do not need to be removed.

Preparations for mikveh should not take much more than an hour. A woman should prepare herself for mikveh in the manner that is customary; she is not expected to spend a long time removing parts of her body, such as skin and nails, which she usually leaves as is, since these are not chatzitzot. It is important to remember that the Sages enacted many protective layers and stringencies to safeguard the law, so a woman who followed the normal preparation procedures can generally be confident that her immersion was valid.