Let's Talk About Nails

A nail is a horn-like envelope covering the dorsal aspect of the terminal phalanges of fingers and toes in humans, most non-human primates, and a few other mammals. Nails are similar to claws in other animals. Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough protein called keratin, as are animals' hooves and horns. Nails are produced by live cells living in the toes and fingers. There is a matrix underneath the cuticle of the nails referred to as the hidden half moon, and when new skin cells grow in the matrix (hidden half moon area), the previous cells are pressed frontward and create a hardened, visible nail.

• 

  Fingernails

  
  
  

  

  Toenails

  
  

  

  Basic nail anatomy

  
  

  Nails are very important because they shield and sustain the tissues in our fingers and toes. They also give us the ability to scratch when we have an itch. Moreover, health disorders can be detected by looking at your nails. Doctors often look at nails during a physical check up and can detect a connecting health condition such as liver or kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, lung disease and even heart disease just by viewing the nails. It is recommended that we keep our nails clean and dry in order to maintain healthy nails. The purpose of clean and dry nails is to keep bacteria and other contagious germs from developing under the nails. 
  
  

  It is helpful to have a professional manicure performed regularly on your nails in maintaining your overall nail health. Having a manicure will also help to improve the look of the fingernails and hands. They also assist in the prevention of hang nails, nail damage and developing fragile tips, splits and cuts on the nails. It may also aid in the healing of broken skin around the fingernails. In addition, the massages that are often included with manicures may help to improve the skin's health by enhancing blood circulation, consequently discouraging wrinkles on the hands. However, it is extremely important to make sure that whoever performs your manicure is well informed on how to properly and professionally perform manicures and pedicures. It is also very important that the technician keeps all equipment clean and disinfected before each use and that the working environment is clean and sanitized as well.

  
  

  Sources: 

  Nail Anatomy

  How Does Manicure Help Nail Health

*For cute nail arts and nail tutorials, check them HERE.