How to maintain healthy nails

In fact, the core of nail health care is very simple to put it bluntly - don't mess with the nail surface, just leave enough nutrients for the nail matrix and periungual skin. Most nail problems are caused by it.

I worked as a nail care volunteer at a community manicure shop owned by a friend for more than half a year, and I have seen too many examples of good nails being ruined. There was a girl who was a sophomore in college who had half-nail extensions for her graduation photos. The manicurist was very harsh and rubbed off two-thirds of her original nail surface. Later, when removing the nails, a lot of nail surface tissue was torn off. In the end, she suffered from onycholysis, leaving half of her nail empty. It took almost half a year to fully grow it.

Speaking of this, someone must have asked, are the various nail oils and nail essences that are so popular on the Internet useful? In fact, there is no unified statement in the industry. I specifically asked the chief physician of the dermatology department of a tertiary-level hospital that I cooperate with before. He said that if your nails are smooth and strong without any problems of thinness, layering, or unevenness, in fact, there is no need to apply these additional things at all. When you usually apply hand cream, take it with you around your nails. On dry days, just apply a little Vaseline on the nails to moisturize them. ； However, many senior manicurists who have been working for more than ten years believe that if you often come into contact with irritating things such as dishwashing liquid and disinfectant, or your nails are naturally thin, you should choose regular "three no's" (no formaldehyde, no toluene, and no phthalates) care products. Nail polish is equivalent to wearing a thin protective coat on the nails, which can indeed reduce the damage caused by external stimulation. Both statements are supported by clinical or practical cases. The choice depends entirely on the condition of your own nails. There is no need to stand in line.

I used to have an old housekeeping client who used to touch detergents and toilet cleaners with bare hands every day. Her nails were as thin as translucent rice paper and would break if she picked it off lightly. Barbs often appeared on her nails, causing small wounds all over her hands. I heard that I wear two layers of gloves every time I work. The inner layer is made of thin cotton to absorb sweat, and the outer layer is made of nitrile to prevent corrosion. When applying hand cream, I rub the nails around my nails for an extra two minutes. In just two months, my nails have become much thicker and rarely break.

Don’t think that nail injuries are only caused by manicures. Many people’s little habits that they don’t pay attention to are the worst-affected areas of nail injuries. For example, they like to use their nails to pick the tape on the express box, use their nails to open the tabs of cans, and tear off the barbs with their hands. Last year, I met a high school boy who didn’t take it seriously when he tore the barbs. Later, he was infected with paronychia and ended up pulling out half of his nail. The pain was so painful that he couldn’t even hold a pen. It took him almost three weeks before he could go to school normally. There are also many people who panic when they see vertical lines and missing crescents on their nails, thinking that they are weak and need to replenish this or that. In fact, vertical lines on nails are just like fine lines on the face. Most of them will appear with age. They are not a sign of illness at all. As long as they don’t suddenly become more numerous or bumpy, you don’t need to worry about them at all.

As for eating collagen and taking calcium tablets to nourish nails, there are different opinions on the Internet. In fact, nails that have grown out are dead keratinocytes, and nothing you eat can change their condition. Only the nail matrix at the root of the nail needs nutritional supply. As long as you eat normally and are not picky about food, eat more eggs, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, and ensure that you have enough protein and vitamins, it will be enough. Unless you are really suffering from malnutrition, there is really no need to spend a lot of money on health care products that claim to be able to nourish nails.

To be honest, nails are like small tiles growing on your hands. Don't always grind and scrape them. Give their "foundation" - the nail matrix and perinail skin enough moisture and nutrients, and they will naturally look bright and strong without any fancy operations.