What are nails made of?
Everyone has them – nails. But what exactly are they made of? The hard material at the tips of our fingers can look different from person to person. Nails can even give a hint about the body's condition. In this blog post, we'll enlighten you about nail structure and how to care for them correctly, so they become strong and healthy.
What is a nail made of?
Nails are made of keratin, a protein you also find in skin and hair. It's keratin that makes nails strong and resilient, which is ideal considering nails are located in particularly exposed areas on both hands and feet.
The nail itself is composed of several layers: a nail plate, cuticles, and matrix.
Nail plate
The visible part of the nail is called the nail plate. This is the part that is polished and is the "face to the world". The nail plate starts right at the cuticle and ends at the fingertip. A healthy nail plate is usually hard and smooth, but it can change texture and color if the body is out of balance, due to illness, or for genetic reasons.
Cuticles
The cuticle consists of a thin layer of skin and is an important part of the nail's structure. It protects the nail from bacteria and microorganisms, preventing them from penetrating into the nail root. If you are doing a manicure, you should be extra careful when pushing back the cuticles. Always make sure to use the right nail tools for the purpose.
Matrix
The nail plate itself is formed in what is called the nail matrix (nail bed), which lies hidden under the skin. It is a soft area where cells develop into the nail plate, which is the hard, visible part of the nail. As long as the nail bed is in balance, you can expect a healthy and strong nail to grow out.
When nails change appearance
The shape and appearance of nails naturally vary from person to person due to genetics. There are also significant differences between the nails of children, adults, and elderly people, which is entirely natural. However, sometimes the appearance can change radically on all or selected fingers, where often more than just genetics is behind it.
Causes of nail changes
The body's condition can influence the appearance of nails. For example, if you suffer from a prolonged illness, or if things happen in your life that affect your health, it can result in nail changes. The most common causes of nail changes are acute injuries, ingrown nails, nail root inflammation, and nail fungus.
Nails can also be affected by weather conditions, incorrect care, or improper handling of chemicals, which can lead to brittle nails and dry and frayed cuticles.
It is important to identify the cause of nail changes if they have suddenly appeared or are a long-standing problem. To find the cause, we always recommend consulting your doctor.
How to get strong and healthy nails
Hands are one of the first things people notice, and therefore it's completely natural that most people want a set of beautiful, healthy nails.
But how do you get strong and healthy nails? In fact, you don't even need to visit a nail salon – you can do it all from home. With the right care products, nail tools, and good habits, you're not far from achieving your dream nails.
Use nail oil
A healthy and nourishing nail oil is indispensable if you dream of strong and well-groomed nails. If you suffer from dry and frayed cuticles, or if your nails tend to break easily, it may indicate that they lack moisture. To restore the moisture balance, you can use a nail oil and a nourishing hand cream. It is important to choose a nail oil of proper quality that repairs and nourishes your damaged nails and cuticles.
Protect your nails with a nail hardener
Did you know that gel polish helps protect and strengthen thin and brittle nails? If you don't want color on your nails, you can easily apply a gel base coat, which strengthens the natural nail.
Use nail tools of proper quality
You might not think about it, but when you care for your nails with, for example, a nail file and scissors, the equipment has a great impact on the well-being of your nails. You should always treat your hands and nails with care, and therefore we recommend investing in nail tools of proper quality.
Also remember how to use the file. It is recommended to file in one direction, otherwise, you risk damaging the nail.
Starting a healthy nail routine
Changing one's routines requires time and adjustment. If you have a busy everyday life, it can sometimes be difficult to set aside time for self-care. Still, try to set aside 10 minutes a day to apply nail oil to your nails and massage your hands with a moisturizing and nourishing cream.
Make it part of your evening routine before going to bed, so the products have plenty of time to work overnight. You can advantageously place your nail oil visibly so you are reminded of it, for example, on your nightstand, by your toothbrush cup, or your night cream.
