But the nail is above all a shield . It protects our extremities from external aggression, is used to grip small objects, and improves dexterity and tactile sensitivity.
Learn to know them and take care of them through this article written by Poméol experts.
The reflection of our health and our emotions
Although solid due to their composition, they can be altered by a multitude of factors and often reflect our state of physical and psychological health.
Anemia, endocrine diseases, thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, diabetes, protein, vitamin or trace element deficiencies, all pathologies which can influence their quality.
On an emotional level, onychophagia (i.e. the compulsive habit of biting one's nails) will often reveal anxiety, nervousness, boredom, stress and will cause more or less damage. important.
The most common problems
Around 20% of the population has problems with fragile nails, we'll tell you more about the causes of the most common problems!
- Streaks correspond to “nail wrinkles”, they are due to oxidative stress and cellular aging.
- White spots which, contrary to popular belief, are not signs of deficiency but simply of repeated shocks
- Yellowing can be due to tobacco consumption or sometimes underlying conditions such as diabetes or thyroid imbalances.
- Finally, soft or, on the contrary, brittle nails are due to a variation in water content (ideally 18%). Too dry, the nails will be brittle; Too hydrated they will become soft.
The composition of the nails
The hair is flexible, the nail is rigid and yet their compositions are closely linked.
Associated under the name appendages, nails, hair and body hair are largely composed of keratin. It is a protein made up of 18 amino acids including cysteine found in the greatest quantity and which participates in the resistance of keratin.
But then why doesn't our hair look like our nails?
Particularly because of the keratinization process.
Unlike hair, whose structure is tubular which gives it elasticity, strength and flexibility, nails are solid horny plates made up of several superimposed layers:
- The bed is the part of the epidermis on which the nail rests. Innervated and highly vascularized, it provides the nutrients necessary for its growth.
- The matrix, located under the root, is the living part. It constantly produces new surface cells which it subsequently transforms into dead keratinized cells. The keratin plates flatten and stiffen: this is the visible part of the nail called the nail plate.
- The lunula is shaped like a half-moon. Unirrigated, it appears in the form of a whitish crescent in the extension of the matrix.
This structural difference therefore explains why our hair does not look like our nails even though they are made up largely of the same protein.
Their growth
If hair alternates between a growth phase (anagen), a resting phase (catagen) and an expulsion phase (telogen), nails grow continuously throughout life.
The nail grows not at its tip, but on its interior.
Their growth rate is around 0.1mm/d for the hands and half as much for the feet.
However, many factors influence the speed of growth: age, sex, environmental factors, stress, fatigue, taking certain medications or even an unbalanced diet.
The role of diet
Just like the skin, nails also benefit from the benefits of a balanced diet.
And for good reason, keratin is made up of 18 amino acids, however did you know that the human body is only capable of synthesizing 11 of them? Diet therefore plays a major role.
Opt for a healthy and diversified diet, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which contribute to the health and beauty of your nails: zinc, sulfur, iron and B vitamins such as biotin ( Vit. B8) actively participate in the synthesis of keratin and contribute to the maintenance of normal nails.
Taking care of your nails
Poméol gives you some practical tips for keeping healthy nails every day.
A gentle & respectful nail routine for pretty hands
• Hydrate regularly your hands and cuticles using a vegetable oil - such as Castor oil or sweet almond – or a moisturizing and repairing cream
• Alternate manicures and rest phases to allow breathing nails
• File gently and always in the same direction so as not to risk splitting
• Opt for one natural nail polish whose composition will be respectful of the environment and health
• Use acetone-free nail polish remover which will not attack the hydrolipidic film
• Avoid prolonged contact with water
• Nails are porous in nature, stay away from chemicals such as nail polish by wearing protective gloves.
• Finally, to take care of your nails from the inside, complete your routine by taking a food supplement for nails!
How to choose the right nail treatment?
1. If your nails are particularly damaged and/or weakened:
Although they have a very similar composition, hair and nails do not grow at the same rate and have a different structure. This is why, in the case of particularly damaged or weakened nails, it is preferable to opt for a specific nail food supplement containing a unique complex specially dedicated to them. Poméol's Perfect Nails complex has been developed by experts to meet the structural and nutritional needs of nails and only nails! A preferred option for clear and visible results.
2. If your nails need a little help, just as much as your hair:
Poméol Hair and Nails Cure Extra Strong 5 in 1
Partially similar in structure, hair and nails share certain common needs which can therefore be met at the same time! This is the case of the Poméol hair and nail food supplement, which has a complete and global action on the growth, strength and vitality of nails and hair. Choose this option if you want to see an overall result, from your mane to the tips of your nails!
