Nails - a product of the epidermis, which consist mainly of keratin. Each nail grows from the matrix, which is located under the skin. Fingernails grow on average by 3-4 mm per month - approximately 2-3 times faster than toenails. With age, the nail growth rate decreases. Sudden or very noticeable change in color or texture of the nails can be a sign of disease.

Problems which may indicate nails

Weak, brittle nails sometimes point to a deficit of any nutrients or malfunction of certain glands, but it happens, and the consequence of a minor injury. Contrary to popular myth, the structure of the nail is not very similar to that of bone tissue, so if calcium intake and helps to strengthen nails How to strengthen the nails: simple tips every day , Then only to a small extent. The same applies to gelatin.

When malnutrition, following a serious injury or during chemotherapy process of formation of the nail can be broken. A few weeks later the results of this become visible - from nail matrix will begin to appear thin, weak nails. When the nail is restored it depends on how long it will be affected by factors that violate the formation of the nail plate. For example, in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair? Problems with nails can be stored for a long time. Even the most careful care can not much improve the condition of nails - chemotherapy drugs too strong.

Due to the lack of the protein on the nails may appear white stripes; nails are very dry, thin and fragile. Lack of protein and / or vitamin A inhibits the growth of nails (some drugs have the same effect). Due to the lack of B vitamins B vitamins: the body useful helpers   the nails appear vertical or horizontal grooves.

The frequent occurrence of burrs may indicate insufficient intake of vitamin C, folic acid and proteins. Iron deficiency violates the growth of nails, making them dry, thin and fragile. White spots on the nails may occur due to a lack of zinc.

First and foremost, it is necessary for the health of nails - a balanced diet. Help strengthen your nails: vitamin A, B vitamins, folic acid Folic acid - the value is hard to overestimate , Vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and proteins. If your nails become brittle and weak due to malnutrition or disease, be prepared for the fact that they will recover no sooner than three months - on the condition that now you'll eat right and to monitor their health.

Additional measures to help make nails much stronger:

• To work with household chemicals, always wear rubber gloves. They do not have to conform to the hand as tightly as conventional gloves - it is necessary that the skin can breathe.
• Pick up small items with your fingers, not nails. Of course, this is easier said than done, but this habit will help you rarely encounter such a problem, as the broken nails.
• Most use a nail lacquers - even transparent. They protect the nails and, in addition, give them a more well-groomed appearance.
• Always carry a tube of hand cream and rub it into your nails when there is free time.

How to make a professional manicure at home

To the nails were strong, they need regular quality manicure. And this was not necessary to go to the salon.

In order to do a manicure, you will need:

• Clean hand towel;
• Cuticle Scissors;
• Hydrogen peroxide;
• Wadding;
• Tool for removing varnish;
• A basin with warm, soapy water;
• Nailfile;
• Cuticle Oil;
• Wand of the orange tree (it is sometimes called cuticle stick);
• Nail polish - color and transparent.

Process:

• Remove old nail polish with a cotton swab moistened with polish remover. Try to nail falling on the cuticle and skin around the nails.
• Give your nails to dry before they begin to file. Spend sawing from the edge to the middle of the nail - this minimizes damage to the nail plate. The longer your nails, the less must be pointed their tips - otherwise they can easily break.
• Within 2-3 minutes, soak your hands in warm soapy water to clean the nails and soften cuticles. Dip the wand from the orange tree in the hydrogen peroxide and run it under the nails. When finished, rinse wand.
• Apply cuticle special oil. Stick from an orange tree gently move your cuticles; if necessary they can cut.
• Put on nails a transparent substrate. It is advisable to choose a transparent varnishes, designed especially for weak nails. Try to apply the clearcoat only three movements - in the center, left and right.
• Now apply the colored lacquer (of course, can be limited and a clear varnish). It must be applied thinly, then if necessary, can make the second layer. Color paint is recommended to apply in another. Please spend a brush across the base of the nail along the cuticle, trying not to hurt her. Then paint the left and right side of the nail, and then - the middle. Never perform brush twice in one place - in this case, the coating will uneven. When the paint is dry, you can apply a second layer and correct its mistakes.
• Apply on top of another layer of transparent varnish - it will prolong the life of your manicure. Over the next 20 minutes, try not to do anything hands (watch TV or listen to music, to all the layers of varnish properly dry.

Why is it so difficult to grow and maintain beautiful nails? The main reason is that the nails do not live (if they are living tissue, they could do to repair itself, but it has to do to us). If the nails are not alive, how do they grow? In fact they do not. The new cells are formed under the cuticle and push out the old, dead cells - those forming smooth, solid plate, which can be admired, and something that I want to quickly go somewhere to hide - in gloves, for example. How to make your nails stronger and healthier?

No one let her nail file

Your nail file to be your only - do not share it, even with close relatives. Through it can be transferred to various microorganisms that are able to improve the condition of nails is not the best. And do not forget to buy a new saw blade at least 1-2 times a year.

Wear shoes appropriate size

You often wear shoes that are too tight for you - but beautiful? If so, then chances are that you will run into the problem of ingrown nails, very large. It causes pain, swelling and increases the risk of infection. If toenails are too long to wear tight shoes even more dangerous. When the nail abuts the toe shoes, it can break or buckle to rise - and under the nail is formed cushy job for the bacteria.

Moisturize your nails every day

Very often the problems are caused by insufficient moisture nails. Dry nails break, exfoliate, become thin. If the cuticle is not enough moisture, it may separate from the nail; it's painful, ugly, and in addition, under the cuticle can start to breed harmful microorganisms. Better moisturizer polish - oils and fatty creams.

Do not go barefoot

In public pools, locker rooms, as well as shoe stores do not walk barefooted and do not try to put his bare feet on the floor. If you get under the fingernails infectious agents, they are likely to begin to actively proliferate - there for this very favorable conditions. It is therefore easier to prevent infection. If you still have to somewhere to walk barefoot, put on his feet antiseptics.

be patient

Each person has an individual rate of nail growth, and it can not be radically changed. On average, one month nail becomes longer by 3-4 mm. The rate of growth can be affected by hormones (in some women during pregnancy nails grow faster than ever) and temperature (usually nails grow slowly in winter than in summer). Poor nutrition, infections, and the natural aging process can slow nail growth. To nail to grow up healthy and strong, you need to moisturize them regularly and avoid exposure to aggressive chemicals, and do not expect miracles - loose nails can not recover in a couple of weeks, and healthy nails 14 tips for strong and healthy nails   even with very good care will grow at a certain rate.

Facts about fungus

Fungal infection and strong, beautiful nails - are incompatible. Infection may begin imperceptibly to you, especially if you are constantly using nail varnish. It should regularly (at least once a week) to remove paint and inspect their nails and toes. The fungus is contagious, it can spread from one nail to another, and even with the polish on the skin. Although fungal infection is not life-threatening, they are very painful. Furthermore, when the nails are infected, about open shoes have to remember - very visible signs of infection.

• Causes

The fungus loves moist and warm places - people are often infected with it in public showers and changing rooms; if you wear several hours sweaty socks and shoes, the probability that the fungal organisms begin to actively proliferate, increasing. Approximately 50% of patients who visit doctors about problems with nails, was found a fungal infection. Damage to the nail bed increases the risk of infection.

• Symptoms

The nail becomes thicker, becomes yellow, often it breaks down or lifted (as if peeled off from the nail bed).

• Treatment

Since the infection occurs under the nail plate, treatment can take several months. The most effective treatment for fungal infection Fungal infection: to prevent and defeat   oral medications (eg Lamisil). In some cases, the infection can handle for external use.

• Prevention

After washing thoroughly with a towel to wipe his feet. In the baths, spa, shared showers and changing rooms walk in shoes. If your feet sweat a lot, as much as possible change your socks.

Aging nails

As soon as you get older, your nails grow more slowly and become more fragile. In addition, they appear vertical grooves. This is a natural process, and you just need to continue to take care of the nails and try to lead a healthy lifestyle - it will help keep longer in good health and, therefore, the nails will look better How to look better: the secrets of the natural charm . Use special nail polish, leveling the surface of the nail. Grinding grooves also allows you to make less noticeable, but it can weaken nails, so do not do it too often.

Frequently asked questions about nails

• How to prevent peeling and delamination of nails?

The main cause of these problems is water - it may seem paradoxical, but the longer the nails in the water, the more they become dry. Few, household chemicals, and means for removing nail polish also make nails weaker. Do housework rubber gloves, and as often as possible, use hand cream. Nail polish also helps protect nails.

• What is the best file nails?

Optimum nail is oval shape. The more pointed the tips of the nails are, the more likely that they will break.

• What do the white spots on the nails?

It is widely believed that these white spots are a sign of vitamin deficiency. While this version is not found scientific evidence. It is more likely that the result of minor damage to the nail plate. When the nail grows. The spots disappear. Dark spots on the nails deserve more listening. If they come after you have damaged the finger, do not worry. If you are black, brown or purple spots on the nails appeared for no apparent reason, as soon as possible address to the doctor - this may be a symptom of skin cancer Skin cancer - a full recovery possible .