Caring for and strengthening exfoliated nails

What is nail layering?

In medical literature, terms such as "onychyoschisis" or "onychoschisis " can be found - this is what doctors call the different types of nail stratification. And it's not just a cosmetic problem, as the nails protect the fingertips from injury, helping them to maintain their sensitivity and even hold objects.

There are three types of nail plate layering:

• vertical - cracks or splits form that extend from the free edge of the nail toward the root. These can be very painful and may progress without treatment;
• horizontal - the plaque is layered parallel to the free edge, increasing the risk of infection and can lead to nail loss;
• lateral - splitting occurs on the sides of the plate and is commonly seen when wearing tight fitting shoes or cutting the nail incorrectly. It can cause discomfort and inflammation.

Causes of nail stratification

There are many reasons why nails start to become layered and look unattractive. Primarily, the causes can be divided into:

• External - environmental exposure, mechanical damage, influence of manicure/pedicure products;
• internal - nutrient deficiency, diseases of the skin and its appendages, internal organs, administration of certain drugs.

Environmental factors

It's no secret that nails start to stratify more often in winter or when they are in rooms where air conditioners are running. This is due to increased air dryness: just like any other organ, nail plates need moisture. The best thing you can do in this situation is to install a humidifier (it's good not just for your nails, but also for your hair, skin, mucous membranes and respiratory system).

But too much liquid is also dangerous: water, especially hot water, softens the nail plates and encourages layering.

Frequent handwashing with soap hits the nails twice: soap dries them and makes them more brittle, and water softens them and causes them to become layered. But nail plates suffer the most from aggressive substances: cleaning and disinfecting products and solvents damage the nail plate and it starts to stratify rapidly.

Mechanical damage

Nail biting (onychophagy) not only damages the appearance. The nail plate is damaged, which can then lead to further stratification and added infection.

Other mechanical injuries (bumps, finger entrapment, etc.) can also cause plaque stratification. Working with tools or sometimes simply typing on a keyboard can damage nails, especially if they are very fragile.

Nail cosmetics

Aggressive nail polishes, nail polish removers containing acetone and other solvents - all of these weaken the nail plate, which eventually leads to nail layering. Nail gels and acrylic nails are also very popular these days. They look really attractive, but to remove this layer, the specialist has to use aggressive products and intensive nail filing, which is not good for the nails.

Constant application and removal of nail gel often leads to damage to the nail plate, which is why dermatologists recommend not overdoing it or taking breaks to allow the outer layer of the nail to recover.

Mineral, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies

The main vitamin that is responsible for the health of nail plates is biotin (vitamin B7 or H.) It reduces nail brittleness, makes nails harder, stronger and even speeds up nail growth. Dermatologists often recommend biotin supplements for patients with slow nail growth. Lack of this substance is a common cause of brit brittle and stratified nails.

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Iron deficiency also reflects on nail plates. They become concave (spoon-like), brittle and pale. In this situation, preparations and supplements containing iron (including in chelated, easily assimilated form) help.

In the case of zinc deficiency, white spots initially appear on the nails, then thin and stratify. If these changes are noticed at an early stage, damage to nail plates can be prevented with zinc supplements.

On the internet, people often ask about the benefits of calcium and potassium for nails.Calcium ensures the correct structure and strength of nail plates, and if deficient, they become brittle and brittle. This is why doctors recommend eating more dairy products, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Potassium does not directly affect nails. But it supports the normal fluid balance in the cells, which means it contributes to proper hydration of the nails. In addition, potassium normalizes blood circulation in the body, which is essential for transporting oxygen and nutrients to the nail matrix.

Also, the health of nail plates is influenced by other vitamins and minerals - A, E, C, D, folic acid, selenium, magnesium. Without them, nail layering becomes just a matter of time.

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Associated diseases

The worsening appearance of nails, their brittleness and stratification are a cause of concern not only for dermatologists. Every doctor knows that these changes are often symptoms of other diseases. Nail plaques usually suffer from:

• iron deficiency anemia;
• thyroid dysfunction - hypo- or hyperthyroidism;
• psoriasis;
• lich lichen planus planus red.

There are also rare hereditary diseases - follicular keratosis (Darier's disease) and nail-patella syndrome. In these cases, the nail plates become brittle, brittle and split (nail layering on the hands is more common than on the feet).

Tumors should not be forgotten either. Although they rarely affect the nails, sometimes a tumor itself leads to damage and splitting of the nail plates - for example, spiradenoma can cause longitudinal stratification of the nail plates. Similar changes can be seen in fungal nail infections .

Influence of medication

Sometimes the condition of the nails worsens as a result of the treatment of other diseases. Most often, the "culprit" for stratification is drugs for the treatment of oncologic (cancer) diseases. Although chemotherapy is life-saving, healthy organs and tissues suffer greatly from it.

Nail stratification can also be caused by some "blood pressure" drugs, antibiotics, barbiturates, antidepressants, hormones and other medications.

Treatment of nail stratification

Even if your nail plates are just starting to stratify, don't expect the problem to go away on its own. In most cases, it progresses, leading to painful cracks, which are difficult to treat.

In the case of mild damage, care for problem nails includes:

• using gloves;
• correct filing techniques;
• regular and sufficient moisturizing.

Protective gloves are necessary for any domestic work, especially when contact with water, soap solutions, cleaning products, harsh chemicals, or the risk of damaging nail plates is necessary. And although for many it seems inconvenient to wash dishes with gloves - nail health is worth the effort. During the night, after applying moisturizing cream to the hands, cotton gloves can be worn - this helps protect nail plates from dehydration.

During manicure and pedicure procedures, only quality nail files (preferably glass or ceramic) should be used and the nails should be filed in one direction only. If you move the pile "back and forth", micro-cracks will appear much faster. It is also advisable not to shorten the nail plates too much to avoid damaging them.

In addition, the key treatment method is regular moisturizing. In the beginning, it is sufficient to use regularmoisturizing creams containing oils, lanolin, glycerin as well as vitamins. These should be applied not only to the hands, but also to nail plates (including cuticles).

Moisturizing creams should be applied not only at night, but also after every contact with harsh substances or after washing hands. With proper care, nails quickly regain their strength, shine and healthy, attractive appearance.

Medium and severe nail stratification

If plaque stratification has gone too far, the usual care methods won't help. In such a situation, topical products (e.g. hardening lacquers) and food supplements (BAA) with minerals and vitamins for nails are already needed.

Professional care of problematic nails is also very important. This includes not only a correctly performed manicure/pedicure, but also therapeutic procedures - e.g. application of resins, nail wrapping.

Topical products

Topical products are applied directly to the nail plate and, thanks to special active ingredients, protect it from damage, strengthen it and prevent further layering. They also make nails smoother and shinier.

Hardening varnishes can be used as a base for a colored coat or as a stand-alone product: they are usually transparent or lightly colored. They may contain:

• keratin. It is a structural protein of the skin and its appendages, indispensable for hardening nails;
• vitamins. Various vitamins are needed for healthy nails and hair - A, E, H (biotin), B5 (panthenol), C and others. Although doctors more often recommend taking them orally, for topical use in varnishes, they are also suitable. Vitamins provide nails with proper nutrition, moisturization, an attractive appearance and a healthy shine;
• minerals. Hardening lacquers often contain calcium, zinc and iron - these are the minerals needed to give nail plates strength and prevent layering;
• plant extracts - e.g. ginseng, aloe vera, pomegranate, grapes and other herbs;
• hexanal aldehyde - this helps 'bond' the separate layers of the nail plate and interacts with keratin, reducing nail brittleness.

Other popular topical products:

• nail oils;
• hardening serums;
• masks;
• conditioners;
• lotions;
• gels.

Food supplements for nails

For nail health all vitamins are needed to one degree or another, but first and foremost - B7 (biotin), - although other B vitamins don't hurt, especially folic acid (B9), as well as A, E, C and D.

Although these are thought to be more effective on their own, the most popular are complex food supplements, which may also contain beneficial minerals (e.g. zinc and magnesium), hyaluronic acid, collagen, chondroitin sulphate, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), millet extract, wheat germ oil and even silicon oxide.

Professional procedures

Resin application and nail wrapping are very effective procedures for treating nail diseases. They eliminate stratification, restore healthy looking nails and accelerate nail growth. Procedures are performed in beauty salons or specialized "nail salons".

Resins are a plastic and highly adhesive (sticks easily and strongly). They create a protective layer on the nail plates that "works" for a few weeks, protecting them from damage and chemicals.

The coatings are needed to restore the nails. The specialist applies special vitaminizing and moisturizing compounds to the plates, then wraps them in foil or aluminum foil - this provides a thermal effect and improves the absorption of the active components. After removing the foil, the nails and cuticles are massaged to improve blood circulation and evenly distribute the beneficial substances. Usually after a course of coatings, the structure of the nails improves significantly.

Typical coating compositions include:

• glycerin;
• jojoba and almond oil;
• vitamin E;
• panthenol;
• calcium;
• zinc;
• aloe vera.

Doctors are often asked if folk remedies for treating nails (e.g., homemade masks) are effective. We reply: they probably won't harm, but their effectiveness is questionable, which is why dermatologists always recommend having professional procedures performed.

Prevent nail layering

To prevent nail plates from stratifying, you need to take constant care of their health. A proper and balanced diet can help - because if the body lacks the beneficial substances, we can forget about beautiful nails.

A healthy nail diet includes foods rich in vitamins and minerals:

• biotin - eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, avocado, sweet potatoes;
• vitamin A - carrots, spinach, cabbage, orange and red vegetables;
• vitamin C - citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruit, broccoli, red and green peppers;
• vitamin E - nuts, broccoli, vegetable oils;
• vitamin D - oily fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks, fortified dairy products;
• folic acid - leafy green vegetables, legumes, whole grain products;
• calcium - milk, yogurt, cheese and fortified plant-based dairy products (soy and almond milk), almonds, kale, spinach, chia seeds;
• zinc - oysters and shrimp, pumpkin seeds, sesame, lentils, chickpeas, brown rice;
• iron - red meat, liver, buckwheat.

The second most important "moment" in preventing stratification is nail hygiene and proper nail care, which I already mentioned above. You can take vitamins and do coatings over and over again, but if you don't get out of the habit of biting your nails, forgetting to moisturize or using traumatic metal files, - you are unlikely to ever get rid of layering.

And, of course, it is very important to treat the underlying disease, if it is precisely because of it that nail problems occur (as is often the case with iron deficiency anemia). To do this, it is necessary to consult a doctor, establish an accurate diagnosis and follow a course of therapy.