The structure of the human nail is studied by the science of onychology. But even for ordinary people who are far from medicine, it will be useful to get acquainted with some knowledge: how the nail is nourished, why a hygienic manicure is needed, why burrs form.
The structure of a nail for a manicurist can have a special meaning: in modeling it is important not only to have medical knowledge, but also to have an idea about the structure of the arch and stiffeners. And this is already the field of architecture.
He althy nails. What are they?
A he althy person's nails are strong, smooth and shiny. They are pale pink in color, with a well-defined hole. The free edge of the nail is white and has a noticeable thickness. Under it is visible the skin, which stretches from the finger. It makes the nails look longer. If you carelessly cut them shorter than necessary, blood will flow from the capillaries of the hyponychium - the same skin.
But the nail doesn't end there, it has an invisible part called the matrix. Or the root of the nail. In this part, nutrition and cell formation occur.
General information
Nails are appendages of the skin. Like the skin, they are made up of keratin cells similar toon scales. They are called onychoblasts. These plates are constantly moving forward, to the free edge, and up. The uppermost layer consists of dead cells firmly ingrown into each other, held together by keratin fibers. It is the most durable protein.
The strength of the nail is affected by the content of cysteic acid. Its amount in the keratin fiber is transmitted genetically. Therefore, there are people who naturally have a strong nail structure, but there are also those who have thin and soft nails. Usually this symptom is observed in relatives from one of the parents.
The young nail is formed at the root, which is partially visible under it - this is the hole. Here, a layer of cells called the matrix constantly produces onychoblasts that are pushed up. At the beginning of their life they are white, soft, lively. In total, there are about fifty layers in the nail, held together by nail effusion, consisting of fat and water. The flexibility of nails depends on its quantity.
The figure shows the structure of the nail and the nail plate. The proximal roller closes the root of the nail, under it a thin skin constantly grows, which makes the nail - the eponychium. It is also called pterygium because it looks like a film that connects the cuticle and nail. Rollers protect the lower tissues of the nail from infections and foreign bodies (dust, for example). The skin is constantly changing on them, the cells are sloughing off and coarsening.
When nails need something
When a deviation from the norm is observed in the structure of the nail, they speak of onychodystrophy. The shape and composition of the nail plate changes, whichleads to its deformation, the color may change. The reasons for this can be both external and internal.
External reasons for changing the appearance of nails:
- Poor nail care, improper use of manicure tools.
- Injuries.
- Onychomycosis.
Internal reasons for changing the appearance of nails:
- Violation of tissue trophism (cell nutrition).
- Avitaminosis.
- Ecology.
- Eczema, allergies, psoriasis, dermatitis.
- Weak immunity.
- Endocrine problems.
How a nail is formed
Matrix cells, which give birth to onychoblasts, also lie under the nail bed. The nail advances to the free edge unevenly: the outer layers grow approximately one millimeter per week, and the lower cells under the nail plate grow twice as fast. In a month, the nail grows by four millimeters, and is completely replaced in four months. Fingernails grow faster than toenails. Faster in summer than in winter. Damage to the matrix threatens with improper nail formation for life.
The nail can absorb fat and water, sealing with wax, treatment with masks and medicinal ointments is based on this property. In this case, the thickness of the nail increases. You can see this if you hold your hands in water: the nails will become flexible, soft, saturated with moisture. After drying, they return to their original form. Washing dishes frequently, using cleaning products and laundering without gloves can degrease your nails and become brittle and brittle.
The figure shows the structure of the nail and nail bed with supply vessels. There are many small capillaries in this area. This explains the bleeding from a cut during a manicure. If the vessels are sclerosed, as is often the case in older people, there is not enough nutrition for the nails and the so-called "senile nails" with a large keratin mass are formed.
The nail is thick
Often in the salon, the master draws the attention of the client, who is doing a manicure, to the structure of the nail. The nail has a small thickness, this should not be forgotten. Since the nail plate is varnished, it cannot absorb moisture. But if you do not also paint over the end of the nail with varnish (in manicure this is called sealing), then it will be able to freely absorb both water and all the detergents dissolved in it, which degrease it so well.
The photo shows how many layers of keratin cells are actually in the cut of the nail. All these cells are porous, perfectly absorb moisture. At the same time, they expand, raising a decorative coating at the end. Therefore, the varnish will not last more than three days - microcracks formed from the constant rocking of the material will cause chips. For the same reason, gel polish can be worn poorly, especially single-phase, hard.
If the end is printed out, it is urgently necessary to close it with any varnish, it can be colorless. This is done by patting the brush on the end of the nail. Thus, it is possible to maintain the coating for a long time. But it is best, of course, not to allowprinting - do all the housework with gloves.
Modeling: the structure of the nail for the master
Natural nail can be extended. If we are not talking about two or three millimeters, then an artificial nail is modeled. This is an acrylic polymer construction that is attached to the nail plate and meets certain requirements. In order for the extension to hold well, two arches are built: longitudinal and transverse. The material is laid out in such a way as to form an irregularly shaped drop.
The top of the drop is called the apex, where the transverse and longitudinal arches meet. The architectural structure of the nail is shown in the figure. Careful observance of all proportions will provide strong nails that will be difficult to break. They have stiffening ribs in the form of a semicircular arch and sufficient thickness in the stress zone.
Correct nail shortening
Nail scissors don't exist. There are nail scissors that cut burrs and cuticles. There is a nipser that acts like a guillotine. There are nail files of various grits (this is the amount of abrasive in one centimeter). Cutting the length of the nails with scissors is wrong.
The nail, consisting of many layers, resembles a honeycomb: if they are cut with scissors, they will wrinkle and break. The integrity of even the distant layers will be broken, and the honey will flow out. Honeycombs are cut with a sharp knife. Nails are also cut with a nail clipper. Or cut in layers. This achieves the preservation of the integrity of the nail structure.
To break the structure of the nail for the master, using scissors, is tantamount to disqualification. On the contrary, he tries to convey to the client the importance of properly shortening nails.
How burrs form
If you look at the cuticle under a microscope, you can see dead skin cells that are sloughing off, losing pores and are torn fibers. Often, the skin of the cuticle in the corners of the nail adheres to it, which, if not properly cared for, leads to its regrown plate being pulled back. The structure of the nail is such that this skin should fall off, dry out and peel off. To do this, it is enough to lift it, separating it from the nail. If this does not happen, at a certain moment (for example, when moving the hands forward when making the bed), it will break. A burr is formed.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to moisturize the cuticle, remove dead cells in time and prevent pterygium from overgrowing the nail plate. A remover based on natural fruit oils will help with this. If you regularly lubricate the cuticle with it, it will always be well-groomed and will not grow. It is not necessary to wash off this remedy, it is natural and nourishes living cells well, and keratinized cells are exfoliated and fall off.
Modern man is more than ever armed with knowledge. Applying them for his beauty, for his he alth, he can get rid of many problems. Make self-care a habit.