Healthy nails beneath the holiday sparkle
As holiday parties and reunions approach, nail art offers another way to complete a festive look. Gel polish, dip powder, acrylic extensions, magnetic designs and embellishments have expanded the options beyond French tips and glossy colors.
But beneath the colors, chrome accents and gemstone flowers, natural nails still need care, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) reminds beauty enthusiasts.
“What may look pretty on the surface may be covering an entirely different story underneath. Our nails can provide us with clues and hints about our health as a whole,” said dermatologist Sharon Osmena Lim.
Changes in nail color, texture, shape and strength can point to nutritional deficiencies, infections and possibly cancer, she explained, and may require further attention.
Healthy nails feel smooth and strong and appear uniformly pink with white tips. Unusual changes should not be overlooked.
Brittleness or easy breakage may have several causes, including poor nutrition, fad diets, decreased circulation or trauma from excessive manipulation during manicures and pedicures. Exposure to harmful chemicals, including those in nail polish and cuticle removers, can also contribute to brittle, discolored nails.
Lim also cautioned against excessive removal of the nail, traumatic removal of ingrown nails and excessive trimming of the cuticle, which protects the nails.
Yellowish or discolored nails may result from polish stains but can also signal a fungal infection. Horizontal ridges, known as Beau’s lines, may follow illness or injury, while dents or pits may be linked to skin conditions such as psoriasis.
Changes in color or thickness, swelling of a finger or toe, separation of the nail from its bed and pain require medical evaluation, particularly when symptoms worsen or persist, Lim said.
This is especially important for people with diabetes, kidney disease and other conditions affecting wound healing. Nail changes may also be related to anemia, thyroid problems and circulation issues.
“While we cannot diagnose a health issue just by basing it on the changes in one’s nail appearance, it can serve as a starting point for further assessment by a medical professional,” she said.
Regular gel manicures and nail art can also affect nail health. Lim cited chemicals in nail products, exposure to UV curing lamps and the application and removal of extensions and gems as factors that can weaken the natural nail plate over time.
Care should extend beyond salon appointments. She advised keeping nails clean and dry because bacteria and fungi thrive in moist environments. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and dry hands after exposure to water or chemicals.
Lim also advised avoiding frequent hand-washing, nail-biting and picking, and using nails to open hard containers. Wear gloves when handling chemicals.
Finally, she recommended giving nails time without polish and treatments.
“Give your nails a break from all the buffing and chemical and UV exposure. Allotting recovery time after treatments can reduce risks of long-term damage that may be harder to reverse – or worse, cause permanent damage.”
For those who enjoy designs, that recovery time is part of caring for the natural nails beneath the artwork.
