The Benefits of Painting Your Nails

Our nails are not only decorative, but also functional. They protect the tip of our fingers and toes, and also make it easier for us to scratch ourselves. Nails also make it easier to remove dog hair from a sweater. The nail plate is composed of keratin, the same substance that makes up hair and the top layer of our skin. Consequently, nails are very useful for humans, but they are not essential to our survival.

Some diseases cause brittle and yellow nails. A yellow nail can also be a sign of lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or a serious infection. Yellow nails may also have deep grooves and lines, indicating that growth is slow or even stopped altogether. If a nail grows completely missing, it is known as onychomadesis. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you’ll need to seek treatment.

Your nails begin growing under the cuticle (the U-shaped layer of tissue that surrounds the nail root), where new cells push out of the old nail cells. Keratin helps the newly formed nail slide along the nail bed, which is made up of small blood vessels. Once it grows long enough, it may turn into a nail. And when it does, it may appear thicker than the rest of your body. But, the health of the keratin sheet determines the condition of your nails.

The nail’s structure is comprised of six distinct parts. Each component has a specific function, and disrupting any one of these parts can result in an abnormally shaped nail. This structure includes the nail root, also known as the germinal matrix, which extends several millimeters into the finger. The nail root produces most of the nail’s volume, as well as the nail bed. This is the reason why your nails have folds and cuticles.

In addition to the cosmetic benefits, fingernails can give you hints about your overall health. In the past, painting your nails was associated with wealth. In 1920s China, those with long nails were considered aristocracy. The wealthy didn’t need to do physical work, so they could afford to have long nails. But these days, nail art has become a massive business. So, why not paint your fingernails?

Nails are made of two layers: the front edge and the bottom. The front edge of the nail plate is pink and contains capillaries. In addition, the front edge of the nail plate is covered with dead epithelial cells, which seal off the nail edges. This layer helps prevent the infection of the underlying tissues. A groove is formed where the side edges of the nail plate are anchored. This groove is also used for the attachment of the cuticle.

It is important to understand that changes in your nails may be harmless or a sign of something more serious. If your fingernails are becoming spongy or have a dark streak, it’s a sign that you’re prone to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Fortunately, melanoma is treatable with early detection and treatment. However, you can’t ignore the importance of visiting your dermatologist.