Workshop
Anatomy of the Nail
The profession of onicotecnica means that, for the majority of your time, your life revolves around a topic: nails . And then the reconstructions perfect creations of nail art, the damaged natural nail care, in moments of intense relaxtion that gives to customer/s with manicure spa and massage benefits. Knowledge of the subject, however, is the hallmark of who imposes itself on the market with professionalism, understanding and responding to customer needs, increasingly aware and demanding. So, if you're not too sure on the theoretical aspects of your job, it's time to spend some 'of your time to do a quick review.
Nail structure
The terminology indicating the different parts that make up the anatomy of the nail is often used improperly, unfortunately even by those who did nail his profession. Then we start with the basics. The nail is a complex unit consists of five main skin structure changed: the nail matrix, the nail plate, the nail bed, the cuticle (eponichio) and the nail folds. The nails are natural appendages of the skin of the fingers and feet. They play, together with the surrounding tissue and to the tips of the fingers, the gripping function and foothold.
The nails are formed in the nail matrix. The area of the matrix ranges from furrow nail until the lunula. The matrix is constituted by a germinative layer that produces keratin, a protein very resistant, and constantly new cells. The process of keratinization of the matrix leads to the formation of the nail plate. Because of cell division in the matrix, keratinized cells are pushed from the rear (proximal) to the front (distal). The youngest part of the nail plate, wedged deep in the pocket proximal nail is called the nail root. The matrix determines thickness and dimension of the nail plate. If the array is damaged or traumatized may happen that the nail does not arise and therefore does not grow as normal.
The nail plate, the nail surface and more visible, consists of keratin strongly hardened and compact, does not contain nerves or blood vessels, is then a fabric-free life. In addition to keratin, the nail contains lipids, water, certain micro-nutrients and a very small amount of calcium. The nail plate has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 mm and is formed from 100 up to 150 cell layers overlapped. More specifically, there are three layers:
The nail ridge, the top layer and harder than the nail plate, is composed of flat cells firmly bonded together.
The nail intermediate, and often the inner layer, is composed of fibers of soft keratin, arranged parallel to the root of the nail. This predetermined breaking point causes the nails not break in the longitudinal direction but transversely, thereby protecting the nail bed. The nail ventral, the lower layer of the nail plate, is composed of cells arranged in an irregular manner and develops from the keratinisation of epidermal cells in the nail bed and dell'iponichio.
The nail plate is firmly united in its underside to the nail bed, detaching only near the distal margin which then end in the nail fold free. The nail bed is a tissue rich in blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, if it is damaged, you may experience severe bleeding and intense pain. Blood vessels, hidden only by the transparent nail plate, nail bed to give the typical color pink. A lighter color, opaque and semitransparent characterizes the free nail fold and the lunula. This visible continuation of the root of the nail is usually more pronounced on the thumbs. On the other nail lunula can be covered by the skin, thus invisible.
Around the nail
The cuticle is a thickening of the proximal fold and is located between the skin of the finger and the nail plate, by joining together these structures. The rear (proximal) and lateral edges of the nail plate are contained in a deep groove. The nail fold is the skin that covers the base and sides of a nail The cuticle has a protectve function, representing a sort of "water barrier" against external irritants, allergens and pathogens. The skin tissue covers about 20% of the nail plate. The hyponychium adheres to the nail plate, so that this will "drag" a thin layer with it during growth. This thin membrane is called the cuticle. It is of the nail plate in the vicinity of the lunula and along the side edges. The Hyponichium and cuticle are often confused. The eponichium skin tissue has blood vessels the cucticle on the contray is a thin membrane lifeless and it is this membrane which is removed during a manicure or P>R>E>P procedure prior to the application of artificial nails.
At the distal edge of the nail is the eponychium directly under the free edge of the nail plate. It plays a protective function of the nail bed against external irritants, allergens and pathogens. During the manicure is very important to be careful not to damage the natural barriers with sharp or pointed instruments, thus preventing infection. Paronychia, one of the major diseases of the nails, is inflammation of the matrix and the deep structures surrounding and can occur due to mechanical trauma caused by the use of tools for nail care, such as tweezers and scissors sharp.
Function and growth
Along with the tips of the fingers, the nails are primarily the function of grip and hold. The hard nail plate protect the ends of hands and feet, rich in nerves from external stresses such as walking, climbing or kicking. And yet, nails allow us a host of other actions, such as taking small parts in her fingers, scratching, untie knots and sometimes use them as a weapon of defense. What else are the nails if not the natural evolution of animal claws?Without our hands and our nails, certainly human history would have been different, unable to grasp objects and use them as a weapon and as a tool to obtain food. Some information on the growth of nails. Their growth, thus producing more or less rapid cell in the matrix is determined by several factors such as age, health, nutrition and living conditions of the person. On average, fingernails grow between 0.5 and 1.2 mm a week. It takes at least two months because then formed a cell in the matrix grows and ends in nail fold free. The toenails grow at a rate that is about half that of the hands.
External factors such as diet and lifestyle are very important not only for growth but also for the health of the nails. Proteins, minerals and vitamins are essential for a stron and healthy nail plate. For the creation of the different keratin proteins and amino acids are important, among which the L-cystine, of which meat and fish are rich. A negative factor for the health of the nails is prolonged contact with water and solvents. The nails may in fact hold up to 30% water, swelling and then deforming drying. Contact with degreasing agents such as acetone instead makes the nails dry and brittle. The preparation, experience and the "magic touch" dell'onicotecnica expert know how to find the right solution and always give your hands and nails beautiful.
Vitamin A is an essential micro nutrient for vision, reproduction, cell and tissue differentiation, and immune function. Vitamin D and calcium work together in cases of maintaining homeostasis, creating muscle contraction, transmission of nerve pulses, blood clotting, and membrane structure. A lack of vitamin A, vitamin D, and calcium can cause dryness and brittleness. Sources of these micro nutrients include fortified milk, cereal, and juices, salt-water fish, fish-liver oils, and some vegetables. Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal sources such as liver and kidney, fish, chicken, and dairy products and therefore can cause intake issues in vegan populations. Not enough B12 vitamin can lead to excessive dryness, darkened nails, and rounded or curved nail ends. Insufficient intake of both vitamin A and B, as previously described, results in fragile nails with horizontal and vertical ridges. Protein is a building material for new nails; therefore, low dietary protein intake may cause white nail beds. Dietary sources of this macro nutrient include eggs, milk, cheese, meat, beans and legumes. A lack of protein combined with deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin C produce hangnails. Essential fatty acids play a large role in healthy skin as well as nails. As touched upon previously, essential fatty acids can be obtained through consumption of fish, flax seed canola oil, seeds, leafy vegetables, and nuts. Splitting and flaking of nails may be due to a lack of linoteic acid. Iron-deficiency anemia can lead to a pale color along with a thin, brittle, ridged texture. Iron deficiency in general may cause the nails to become flat or concave, rather than convex. Iron can be found in animal sources, such as meat, fish, and poultry and can also be found in fruits, vegetables, dried beans, nuts and grain products.
Glossary
Nail: horny formation of the epidermis that covers the dorsal surface of the falangette end of the fingers and toes. The nail is made of keratin very hard and compact. The nail shape looks like a lamina roughly quadrangular, pinkish-white and semitransparent, in which one can distinguish a free distal edge, a central portion or body, two lateral margins inserted into a skin fold (sulcus nail) and a portion proximal, said root. In the latter there is a layer of cells, called onicogene constituents and the matrix, which reproduce themselves continuously providing for the production of the nail. While the upper surface of the nail is free, the lower is closely adherent to the underlying dermal-epidermal layer, called the nail bed. nail bed : where rests the nail plate, his task is to produce the nail plate cornea. The area of the distal nail bed is said iponichio, while its proximal ventral zone produces the eponichio. In the central seat of the nail matrix. Lamina nail : composed of keratinized cells packed, is rectangular convex, sealed in a depression on the surface of the last phalanx of the fingers. Keratin : a protein substance that is the main constituent of hair, hair , layer of the skin and nails. based on the physical characteristics, the keratins are divided into soft and hard. Keratinization (ocorneificazione) the process of formation of the stratum corneum of the edpidermis, which gives the skin defensive functions against external agents. The germinative layer originate cells of the skin, through anatomical and biochemical modifications, will lead to the most superficial layer: this process lasts around 28 days.
Sources: https://ok.corriere.it/ Gianni Proserpio: Dictionary of Cosmetology