Hand care products | Hand and Nail Care

Nails provide a protective covering to the ends of toes and fingers and are useful for manipulating small objects. 

They are also a symbol of beauty. Hand care products and each nail is composed of a root (or matrix), a body, and an edge. 

The root is concealed within a fold of skin, the body is the exposed portion attached to the surface of the skin, and the edge is that portion free of the underlying skin. 

Hand care products and the body and edge make up the hardened nail plate.  New cells evolve from the root and from under the body of the nail. 

As these die, they become part of the hardened nail plate which is rich in calcium and a fibrous protein known as keratin

 

Hand and Nail Care: Dos

Wear rubber gloves lined with cotton when your hands are in contact with harsh soaps, detergents or chemicals.

Wear gloves when doing work that might damage the hands or nails, such as gardening or shoveling snow.

After washing your hands, pat dry and, while moist, use a moisturizer on the hands, cuticles and nails. Chemically enhanced moisturizers that contain urea or lactic acid are more efficient in binding water to the skin (Uremol, Calmurid, Lachydrin, Lacticare).

If your hands must be in and out of water frequently apply a silicone or a similarly based protectant film that sheds water over the hands and nails (Prevex, Atrixo, and Barriere cream).

If nails darken despite good cleansing habits, a drop of lemon oil massaged twice weekly into the nail plate may work but must not be overdone or irritation of the surrounding skin and drying of the nail plate may occur in the Hand and nail care products.

Nail polish protects the nail from stains, physical trauma, and acts as a barrier to chemicals. Use it but don’t overuse it or it may stain and dry nails, particularly if nail polish hardeners are used frequently. A base coat will allow your polish to last longer. 

If your nails are dry, soak them fort 10 minutes twice daily in warm water, pat dry and immediately apply one of the chemically enhanced moisturizers that contain urea, lactic acid of glycerin oil.

Sculpt and shape your nails by filing in one direction with a very fine file. Avoid vigorous up and down or back and forth motions which may tear apart the various layers of the nails. Avoid sharp angles. Attend to small cracks, snags and breaks immediately.

Treat yourself to a weekly manicure if possible; it is relaxing and keeps the nails healthy looking and attractive. Do not forget your toenails!

As they age, the nails thicken, grow more slowly, repair poorly and are susceptible to carious skin diseases. Watch for changes and see your dermatologist early enough to treat problems in the Hand care products in the Hand and nail care products.