Have you ever looked down at your nails and thought about what they’re made of? They’re so simple, just tiny protection at the ends of your fingers and toes. But nails are more than just mere decorations. They’re not there for show and certainly not for you to scratch that itch. These tiny structures that comprise your body part are made of some really cool stuff and serve some really cool functions. This article will reveal to you, no pun intended, what your nails are made of, from the components to the construction, so that whether you’re someone who pays attention to your nails or someone who doesn’t even bat an eyelash at your nails, you’ll appreciate the functionalities of what’s going on with your little, tough entities. Let’s go.
Nails are commonplace in existence but rarely thought about. They grow, we cut them, we paint them sometimes. But what are they? Are they skin? Are they hair? Or something else altogether? By the end of this article, you’ll know what makes up your nails, how they operate, and why they should be important in your everyday life. So let’s explore what creates your nails and along the way, discover some interesting facts.
What Are Nails Made Of?
The composition of your nails might be more extraordinary than you think. Nails are made out of keratin—but a specific type of keratin. Keratin is a common protein in hair and the outer layer of skin. This is fascinating! However, instead, nails use a specific kind of keratin that is stiffer and stronger than that of hair or skin. This stiff keratin makes up nails’ protective qualities and strengths for fingers and toes.
Now think about the purpose of nails. They are essentially small plates over the tips of fingers and toes to avoid bumps, abrasions, and pressure. Imagine if we never had nails! We’d never be able to puncture a hole in a can with a pin, it’d be impossible to hold small change! The keratin that composes nails is packed tightly to allow for banging, prying, scratching, and tapping on a touch screen without relative discomfort—yet split or broken nails hurt excessively. This is because—like other parts of the body—nails are alive.
The stiff keratin makeup of the nail does not form for decoration, either; instead, it forges when the body needs it. Underneath the skin at the base of the nail is an area called the nail matrix which forges new nail cells. When cells forge, the keratin cells push other cells forward, creating longer nails over time. Although it happens over extended periods, it’s essential to the process of nail growth. Ever wonder why nails keep growing whether or not you want them? Now you know!
Why Are Nails So Hard?
So why are nails harder than the skin on your body and flesh? Because of the keratin composition. The keratin found in nails is more complex than the softer versions of keratin found in skin and hair. Keratin is denser and grows in layers like shingles on a roof making them more powerful and less susceptible to breakage. In addition, the keratinized cells undergo keratinization. This means that as the cells move from the nail matrix to the distal end of the nail, they must do so with the intention of being fully hardened by the time they reach the fingertip.
Interestingly, nails are not like rocks—they are not completely solid. They are porous meaning that they absorb water. For example, if you’ve been in a hot tub or soaking bath for too long, you feel as though your nails are soft. That’s because they allow for some moisture, but once they dry out again, they are hard again. Thus, nails can absorb moisture which is why they chip after dishwashing or spending time in a hot tub—they are too malleable from absorption to keep the polish in place since the polish does not expand and contract with moisture.
Lastly, the shape and structure of nails make them hard. They are curved and rounded which help distribute pressure during use. If you’ve ever stuck your fingers in between stubborn cardboard when trying to open a jammed paint can, you know what it’s like to have the sensitivity of fingertip skin suffer. But the beauty of rounded nails means pressure can be distributed and structural integrity maintained, be it popping caps or scraping labels.
How Do Nails Grow?
Now, let’s discuss how nails grow. As previously noted, nails grow from an area of living cells called the nail matrix, located beneath the skin at the nail’s base, meaning that this area, the nail matrix, is where the majority of nails grow, providing the new cells that multiply and push older cells toward the distal end of the finger. The newer cells/nail material push growth made cells outward and onward, essentially producing nail growth over time—similar to a factory assembly line belt creating materials.
Interestingly, nails don’t grow at the same rate. Fingernails, for example, grow about one-tenth of an inch per month. Perhaps this is why it takes so long to grow back that nail you clipped too short! On the contrary, toenails take longer to grow—hence why we don’t need to manage toenails as often—but we’ve all suffered from that toenail growing out of control at some point. Furthermore, nails on your dominant hand tend to grow faster—yet only slightly—because of increased blood flow and more activity writing or drawing; nevertheless, average fingernail growth occurs at the one-tenth per month rate, regardless.
If the nail matrix becomes injured or infected, nail growth will hinder; this is why so many people have what seem like deformed nails that grow with ridges or unevenly or otherwise problematic. This is why keeping the surrounding skin of this area healthy is just as important as keeping the nail itself clean and trimmed.
What’s Under Your Nails?
Have you ever wondered what’s under your nails? There’s such thing as a nail bed—the skin underneath them. The nail bed is mostly blood vessels, which is why it’s pink. These blood vessels help with proper nourishment for growth. Have you ever had a friend with an all-black or blue fingernail? That means blood has escaped from the nail bed, accumulating underneath the nail and pushing down on the nail bed. Sounds painful!
The nail bed is what keeps nails attached to fingers—it serves as an adhesive. The nails themselves do not have nerves or blood vessels, which is why cutting your nails doesn’t hurt. But the nail bed is sensitive, and this is why it’s painful when you cut your nails too short or get something caught under there.
You may also notice a little pale, crescent shape at the bottom of your fingernail: the lunula. Some claim it’s the “moon” of the nail since it resembles a moon shape. However, it’s part of the nail matrix; the lunula is where new nail cells are growing from underneath the surface. Not everyone’s lunula is visible, and that’s okay—it all depends on how thick or shaped your nails are.
Why Do Nails Look Different?
Not everyone’s nails look the same! Some people have thicker, stronger nails while others have thinner, more brittle nails. This is a matter of heredity and predisposition to have strong or weak, thick or thin, but it is also a matter of one’s diet and maintenance of nail integrity. For instance, if someone is constantly putting their nails in cleaning products without gloves or using other harsh chemicals, this person might come across with weak, peeling nails. However, those who acknowledge that nails are compromised from keratin and require protein and vitamins to maintain nail health might find that their diet supports better nail growth. Essentially, as your body derives proteins and nutrients from food, keratin which makes up nails will itself be made from those building blocks.
Nails can also change as people age. Children have softer, malleable nails while adults have harder nails that can become brittle over time. Older individuals tend to have thicker, yellow nails over time—but this is a factor of aging as well—a the older one gets, the slower the action of the nail matrix and creation of keratin cells occurs; thus, their colors change and shapes get denser.
The shape of someone’s nail can differ widely as well; some people have wide-flat nails while others have narrow, curved ones. This has to do with the shape of the nail bed and how fingers are formed; essentially, it does not matter what shape is observed, so long as the nail does its job.
What Can Affect Your Nails?
Nails are strong, yet they’re not indestructible. For example, frequent nail biting will cause uneven nails that are weak. Nail biting acts as a stressor in addition to damage to the skin around the nail, which can lead to infection. Hangnails are a painful situation caused by excess stress of dry skin or pulling the nail’s edge too hard.
Excess stress can happen to nails, too. People who are in frequent contact with water may find their nails more susceptible to damage. For example, people who wash their hands frequently may find that their nails get soft or split easily. People with dry cuticles may find that their nails crack or peel easily. Thus, a good hand lotion can keep nails from dehydration without making them overly soft.
In addition, personal health will affect growth. People who feel run down will find that their nails grow slower, and similarly, those with poor diets will find that their nails look duller over time. Unfortunately, sometimes how we use our nails puts them at risk—someone who always uses their nails to open a cardboard box will eventually chip/break it. Therefore, avoiding too much pressure on the nails and being gentle will keep them healthy while cleanliness can avoid infection.
How to Take Care of Your Nails
Nail care is not as complicated as one might think. With a few simple steps, nails can remain healthy and strong. For example, cleanliness is essential. Under nails is the perfect habitat for dirt and bacteria, especially if the nails are long. Scrub with a nail brush during handwashing and everything should come off.
Nails should be cut at least every other week to month in order to maintain their health. Use clean clippers and sharp, and cut straight across to avoid ingrown nails. If a filer uses a filer, a harsh nail filed avoided; sawed nails are compromised. Instead, go in one direction very gently. Cuticles must also be paid attention to; moisturizing the area ensures that hangnails will not occur and that the skin will remain healthy and uniform.
Painted nails are beautiful; enjoy painting and polishing—but allow nails to breathe. Occasionally, nail polish and nail polish remover dry out the nails, but strengthening top coats and base coats can help. When visiting a salon, be sure that equipment is sanitized to avoid any potential for infection.
Why You Should Care About Your Nails
Although one might believe that nails are not important, they do more for the body than one thinks. They protect sensitive fingers and toes, allow for picking up sheets of paper or small pieces of dirt, and can even be painted for decorative purposes. More importantly, nails indicate health in one’s lifestyle. Strong nails show that someone cares about themselves—healthy nails indicate a healthy lifestyle—whereas thin and brittle nails indicate that maybe one should assess what’s going on a little bit more.
The next time you look down at your fingers, remember that those little bits of keratin and nail matrix and nail bed are actually what makes up a nail to keep it growing constantly and secured to your finger. It’s amazing what happens in such a small body part, right? They work hard for us, whether we cut them, paint them, or let them grow out for their natural intended purposes.
Are nails alive? Surprisingly yes. They’re not dead tissue and they are not a blank canvas begging for polish. They’re living things that extend from our body, designed for protection and made up of proper keratin. Understanding what’s something to your nails and how to care for them keeps them healthy and strong. The next time you reach for the clippers, take a moment to acknowledge those little shields at your fingertips. They’re doing far more for you than you think.