Nail cosmetics Flashcards
Why do we have nails?
Protection of sensory cells
Cues for diseases
What are the 3 main components of the nail anatomy?
- Nail plate
- Nail matrix
- Nail bed
What is the visible part of the nail called?
Nail plate, consists of 3 layers
Hard, made of translucent keratin protein
Several layers of dead, compacted cells cause nails to be strong but flexible
Where is the nail bed?
Skin beneath the nail bed
Function of the nail bed?
Supplies water to the nail, ensures nail grows in fixed direction
What do longitudinal ridges on the nail plate mean?
Can develop due to ageing, nail injury, underlying medical conditions
What about horizontal ridges?
Malnutrition, drugs, heart attack, severe infections, low access to nutrients in matrix
Does your nutrition levels affect your nails?
Yes, low dietary protein may cause anemia -> white nail beds
Iron deficiency: spoon nails (concave)
Vitamin deficiency: brittle, dry & darkened nails
Calcium deficiency: fragile nails
What do white spots on nails mean?
No cause of alarm, may be due to physical injury (injury to the matrix) or microbial contamination
Where’s the nail matrix?
It is the hidden part of the nail unit
Function of nail matrix?
Responsible for producing cells that become the nail plate, will continue to grow as long as it receives nutrition & remains healthy
What is the nail lunula?
Part of the matrix, whitish half-moon shape, not fully keratinised -> not in complete contact with nail bed
Function of nail cuticle?
Protects formed nail
What are nails made of?
80% of nail plate: Mainly hard keratin
<20%: water
<5%: fatty materials (mainly cholesterol)
0.2%: calcium
like hair, nails absorbs and loses water easily, swelling in volume
Tender with water absorption and brittle with water loss
Which part of the nail does the nail grow from?
Grows from matrix
