Skin care
Funky Nail Problems SolvedYou can beat out ridges, fungus, white spots and other skin problems with these tools |
Symptom: Ridges or white spots
Cause: Schoon says the appearance of white spots and ridges are caused by trauma or genes, not missing nutrients in your daily diet.
Fix: Damaging the nail matrix will cause it to produce irregular cells, which manifest as soft, white spots as the nail grows out. Schoon says the only way to prevent them is to protect the hands and try to avoid future damage. You can cover up white spots with opaque shades of polish, but be sure not to buff them, since these areas tend to be soft and weak. When it comes to ridges, heredity or age are the culprits -- if Mom or Grandma have them, chances are you will, too. Most of us will develop them as we age; it's normal. Schoon says grooves that run vertically from the nail plate to the tips are simply areas that grow thinner, and warns that aggressive treatment can make the entire nail thin and weak. Instead, even them out with ridge filler or gently buff them. Skyy Hadley, owner of the As "U" Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, N.J., says to dab on some CND SolarOil, $11 -- which is really rich -- then use a gentle buffer to smooth the nail surface.
Photo: "Nail Structure & Product Chemistry", Second Edition Doug Schoon M.S., Thomson/Delmar Learning
Cause: Schoon says the appearance of white spots and ridges are caused by trauma or genes, not missing nutrients in your daily diet.
Fix: Damaging the nail matrix will cause it to produce irregular cells, which manifest as soft, white spots as the nail grows out. Schoon says the only way to prevent them is to protect the hands and try to avoid future damage. You can cover up white spots with opaque shades of polish, but be sure not to buff them, since these areas tend to be soft and weak. When it comes to ridges, heredity or age are the culprits -- if Mom or Grandma have them, chances are you will, too. Most of us will develop them as we age; it's normal. Schoon says grooves that run vertically from the nail plate to the tips are simply areas that grow thinner, and warns that aggressive treatment can make the entire nail thin and weak. Instead, even them out with ridge filler or gently buff them. Skyy Hadley, owner of the As "U" Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, N.J., says to dab on some CND SolarOil, $11 -- which is really rich -- then use a gentle buffer to smooth the nail surface.
Photo: "Nail Structure & Product Chemistry", Second Edition Doug Schoon M.S., Thomson/Delmar Learning
Older comments
Wow those photos of nail problems are quite disgusting. Ugh. But it's good to know what exactly it is the article is describing. Good tips too. Thanks!
by venenumletalis Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 03:37PM Report as inappropriate
I am hugely appreciative of not only this story but all the info here on the Total Beauty website. Thanks so much for taking the time to keep us up to speed.
by bksc Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11:32PM Report as inappropriate
I have peeling nails at the very ends but I already know it's comes from having my hands in cleaning products everyday. I need to wear cleaning gloves more often.
by EricaC123 Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 12:10PM Report as inappropriate
yuck thanks for the info!
by LittleBunny Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 09:48PM Report as inappropriate
I didn't know nails could get so bad...Thanks for scaring me to keep up on my nails! ;-)
by raquel_raygoza Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 02:16PM Report as inappropriate
Thanks. I've gotta work on keeping my nail moisturized.
by asiagirl4ever Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 08:16AM Report as inappropriate
Totally great tips, I want to do my nails again!
by MissXu Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 09:02PM Report as inappropriate
I thought my nails were bad until I saw some of these pictures. I'm so glad I've never gotten a nail infection.
by VV001 Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 08:07PM Report as inappropriate
Sally Hansen has a cuticle pen? Such a great idea!
by VV001 Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 08:03PM Report as inappropriate
I have really cuticles and just started using an oil on them.
by beautybody Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 11:45AM Report as inappropriate