What are nails made of?

Let's start with the first fact: the nail does not breathe. This is because they are anucleated skin appendages, composed of so-called dead cells as they have concluded their life cycle.

This clarification on the anatomy of the nail is fundamental because it serves to dispel all the myths about the fact that nail products , strengthening treatments , nail reconstruction and decoration are harmful.

What is keratin ? It is the protein that makes up nails and is also present in hair. The production of keratin is stimulated by vitamin D which in turn is fixed by the sun's rays. Have you noticed that nails, hair and fur grow more in the summer? It's thanks to the sun!

Nail growth is physiological, that is, it depends on the individual constitution and health status of the person. During childhood and adolescence, the nail plate is in a development phase and it is preferable to perform chemical and mechanical treatments.

However, as the years go by, nail regrowth slows down. On average, a healthy nail grows one millimeter a week. Now that we know what keratin is and that it is produced less with age, for the sake of completeness, it must be said that there are also other factors that reduce it, affecting the health of our nails.

·      Environmental factors : i.e. excessive smog

• Unbalanced lifestyle : smoking, alcohol and a diet lacking in mineral salts and too rich in fats  

• Psychological stress

• Chlorine in swimming pools

• Failure to use gloves during household activities and the use of aggressive detergents.

Anatomy of the nail

The nail is nourished, by its very nature, by the capillaries underneath the nail bed and is composed of several layers that are only visible with a high-definition microscope.

The main layers of nail anatomy are the intermediate ventral and the dorsal. It Furthermore, it is covered on the upper part by a hydrolipidic film, the same one that covers the entire surface of our skin.

When performing a nail reconstruction for the application of semi-permanent gel in the preparation we will remove only the hydrolipidic film and some more superficial layers. To obtain this result the recommended file grain is 240/240 precisely to preserve the integrity of the natural lamina.

The shape of the treated nail therefore depends on the choice of the right file and the patience with which it will be treated. At this stage, giving the right setting of the shape is fundamental because it can no longer be modified without risking ruining the finish.

The most common classic nail shapes are: oval, square and almond, ballerina and stiletto. These last ones are the shapes that best lend themselves to a gel work. Always remember that a good job and a long lasting hold depend first of all on the health of the natural nails.