Nail Health Guide

First of all, a reassurance for all those who care about nail health - the unified standard for healthy nails is a uniform light pink color, a smooth and tough surface, and the blood color can be restored in 1-2 seconds after pressing the fingertips. Except for sudden wide black lines, large-scale depressions/peeling, and thickening and yellowing that last for more than 3 months, you need to seek medical attention immediately. 90% of minor nail abnormalities (small white spots, few crescents, and occasional vertical lines) have nothing to do with serious diseases, so there is no need to be overly anxious.

A while ago, the manicurist in my studio told me that a girl came over three days in a row last week and asked if the white spots on her nails were bugs in her stomach or calcium deficiency. She was so scared that she didn’t even dare to drink high-calcium milk tea. In fact, this is the most common misunderstanding. The mainstream dermatology view is that white spots are mostly caused by minor trauma to the nail surface - for example, if you bite your nails, hit them when unpacking a package, or even rub them when doing a manicure and polishing, they may grow and disappear when the nails slowly grow out. However, some studies in the nutritional field believe that if white spots appear frequently and repeatedly, it may be related to zinc deficiency or mild B vitamin deficiency. There is no need to rush to buy supplements. Eat more whole grains and red meat, and adjust your daily routine for a week to basically improve it.

Speaking of this, I have to mention the crescent moon that has been arguing for more than ten years. I came across two completely opposite popular sciences a while ago. One said that the more crescent moons, the healthier, and if there are fewer crescent moons, it means deficiency of qi and blood. The other said that the crescent moons are completely useless and they are just born. In fact, both opinions are reasonable. The lunula is a fresh, unkeratinized nail produced by methyl groups. People who are born with methyl groups in the front will have obvious lunula, while those with methyl groups in the back will not see it. As long as the size and number of your lunula are stable all year round, there will be no problem. If the crescents suddenly become larger and more numerous, or the original crescents suddenly shrink, it is most likely due to recent metabolic fluctuations - I spent more than half a month rushing to open a new store in the past few months. I originally had 3 crescents on my right hand, but suddenly only one was left on my thumb. I went home and slept regularly for a week, and the growth came back. I really don't need to go to the hospital specifically for this.

Little girls often ask me whether doing manicure will hurt the nails or cause onychomycosis? I'll be honest, if you go to a regular shop, where the tools are properly sterilized, and there's a one-week window for each manicure to let the nails breathe, it won't be that much of a hassle. I'm afraid that if you go to a 99-yuan shop with unlimited visits for a cheap price, they will sharpen the nail file for you, and you will have to do perfect nails for half a year. It's weird that your nails are not thin. The most exaggerated girl I have ever seen, her nails were so thin that it hurt when she touched hot water, and it took her more than three months to get them back. There are also various armor essences and growth waters that are popular nowadays. The ingredients are said to strengthen the nail surface. After I tried it myself, most of them have a sealing and moisturizing effect. It is not as practical as wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes or handling disinfectant. Of course, if you have the budget, there is no harm in applying it. Don't believe that it can grow 3 mm a week with IQ tax propaganda.

But there are a few signals that you should not take seriously. Last year, a regular customer had a 2 mm wide dark brown line on her thumb nail. It was not painful or itchy. She thought it was from the dark manicure she had done last time. It took her almost half a year to get it checked. It was a nevus. Fortunately, it was benign and she would be fine if it was cut off. If the black line on your nail is more than 3 mm, the boundary is blurred, and it has suddenly widened recently, don’t delay, go to a dermatologist immediately for investigation, and don’t gamble with your body. There are also the kind of nails that gradually thicken and turn yellow, and even crumbs will come out when you pick them. Don’t trust the medicated foot soaking prescriptions sold in roadside shops. I have a customer who believed it. After soaking for three months, the nails were rotten. He went to the hospital and prescribed topical medicine and oral antifungal. After more than two months, he was almost healed. Just insist on using the full course of treatment, and don’t stop after two uses, as it is easy to relapse.

Some people also ask whether vertical lines on nails mean that the liver and kidneys are not in good condition? I specifically asked a dermatologist I am familiar with, and he said that it is actually a normal physiological phenomenon, just like the wrinkles on your face. You will get them as you get older. If the vertical lines are particularly deep, it is probably because the nail weeks have been too dry recently. Just apply more hand cream and bring it to the edge of the nails. It really has nothing to do with the liver and kidneys.

I have been working in this industry for almost 10 years, and I have seen too many people worry about their nails. If there is a small flaw, they will check it on Baidu. After checking it, they immediately feel that they are going to be terminally ill. It is really unnecessary. Nails are a small barometer of the body. Occasionally, if there is a small problem, it is mostly because you haven't had a good rest recently or accidentally hit it. Observe it for two weeks. If you eliminate it by yourself, nothing will happen. If it gets worse, spending ten yuan to call a dermatologist is more reliable than anything else.