NAIL STRUCTURE &

GROWTHModule 09 – 12’

INTRODUCTION ** write on page 198** Reflect general health of body Educate yourself

Natural nail’s structure & growth

WHY STUDY NAIL STRUCTURE AND GROWTH? You can expertly groom, strengthen &

Beautify nails Knowing the difference between cuticle

& eponychium Prepare you for advanced nail services

THE NATURAL NAIL Technical name Onyx Natural nail

Hard protective plate Protein – Keratin Appendage of the skin (integumentary

system) Composed of keratin Same as found in hair & skin

Healthy nail Whitish Translucent Pinkish color of nail bed showing through Firm flexible

Did You Know page 198 & 199 Porous to water Water content

Relative to humidity of surrounding environment

15% - 25%Directly effects flexibility

Oil-based nail conditioner/nail polish Improve flexibilityReduce water loss

NAIL ANATOMY

NAIL PLATE Most visible and functional part Hardened keratin plate sits on and

slides across nail bed 100 layers of nail cells Free Edge

Extends over tip of finger/toe

NAIL BEDLiving skin on which the nail plate sitsRichly supplied with blood vesselsPinkish areaSupplied with nerves

Bed epitheliumThin layer of tissue attaching the nail plate

to the nail bedHelps guide nail plate along bed as it grows

MATRIX Natural nail is formed Contains

NervesLymphBlood vessels to nourish cells

Create new cells as long as healthy Extends under the nail fold at base of

nail to nail plate

LunulaLighter color shows the true color of matrix

Growth can be effectedPoor healthNail disorder or disease is present Injury to matrix

** FYI page 200

CUTICLE Dead colorless tissue attached to plate Seal the space between natural plate

and living skin abovePrevents injury and infection

EPONYCHIUM Living skin at base of nail plate covering

matrix area Cuticle is dead tissue Eponychium is living tissue – legally we

cannot cut

HYPONYCHIUM Slightly thickened layer of skin

underneath free edge Creates seal under nail plate to prevent

microorganisms from invading and infecting nail bed

SPECIALIZED LIGAMENTS Ligament

Tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place

Specialized ligamentsAttach nail bed and matrix to the underlying

bone

NAIL FOLDS Nail folds

Folds of normal skin that surround nail plateForm nail groves

Nail groovesSlits or furrows on sides of nail on which it

moves as it grows Sidewall – lateral nail fold

Fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail

NAIL GROWTH Growth of nail plate affected:

NutritionExercisePerson’s general health

Length, width and curvature of matrix determine the thickness, width and curvature of the natural nail plate

Longer matrix produces Thicker nail plate

Highly curved matrix createsHighly curved free edge

GROWTH Average growth – normal adult is 1/10”

per month Faster

SummerChildrenMiddle finger

Slower WinterElderlyThumb

Rate increases dramatically in last trimester of pregnancyHormonal changes in body

Rate decreases dramatically after delivery

Returns to normal as hormones levels return to normal

prenatal care vitaminsMyth – makes grow fasterGrow faster whether taken or not (hormone

changes) Toenails grow thicker, harder and slower Did you Know? Page 202

NAIL MALFORMATION Disease, injury, or infection occurs in

matrixShape or thickness of nail plate can change

Natural nail will grow as long as matrix is healthy and undamaged

Replacement natural fingernail – 4 – 6 months

Replacement natural toenails – 9 - 12 months

Nails are not shed automatically or periodically as does hair

KNOW YOUR NAILS Creativity must be rounded in a full

awareness of the structure and physiology of nails and the surrounding tissue