Nail Myths: Busted

Last week, we tackled some common hair myths. This week, we're taking on common nail myths so you can keep those claws looking great (and you can care for them in the right way). Read on for our list of nail myths, busted:

1. "My nails need to breathe": Nope. This is a common misunderstanding, but nails are made of keratin, which is a type of protein. Nails are not living tissue that require oxygen to maintain health. Applying gel or regular polish for long periods of time is not harmful to your nails' health. Nails receive their nutrients through the bloodstream. On the contrary, keeping gel or regular polish on the nails is beneficial in a couple of ways:

   1. Protection and strength: Polishes provide an extra barrier and help keep nails from breaking or splitting.

   2. Moisture retention: Polish can help to keep moisture locked into the nail, preventing dryness and brittleness.

c. Safety: It should be mentioned that your nail tech needs to make sure they're applying and removing polish properly in order to keep your nails safe and healthy. Time without polish can be very beneficial for you to monitor your nails for any issues (such as fungal infections or drill burns).

2. Acetone is harmful: Acetone is an effective solvent for dissolving nail polishes, glue, and other coatings, and is generally safe when used properly. As long as it's used in a well-ventilated area and your nail tech minimizes its contact with your skin so there's no irritation, all is well. Acetone can dry out the nails, but as long as you follow with proper care, this effect is temporary and there's nothing to worry about.

3. White spots on the nail equal a calcium deficiency: This is a wide spread myth! White spots on the nail are not thought to be the result of any nutritional deficiency, and are instead the result of trauma or damage to the nail matrix (the tissue under the nail that produces the nail plate). These white spots are usually harmless and can be the result of tapping the nails too aggressively, typing, filing the nails too much, or cutting the cuticles too closely. Basically, this trauma interrupted the proper integration of these cells into the nail plate, and they grow up and out as time passes. However, white spots can sometimes indicate an allergy to a product or polish (but are usually accompanied by other symptoms).

4. Using hand cream counts as oiling the cuticles: Sorry, but no. There are some hand and cuticle creams on the market, so make sure that's what you're using. Otherwise, your cuticles really need some type of oil in order to penetrate the nail plate. Look for oils that have squalene, jojoba, or avocado to nourish those cuticles and help protect your polish.

5. Cutting cuticles promotes nail growth: Cuticles are your nail's natural protective barrier. Cutting them actually increases the risk of infection. The safest option is to gently push them back with a cuticle pusher after you've taken a warm bath or shower.

Got more questions? We've got answers! Give Salon Patrice a call at (815) 223-8643 to schedule a nail appointment with Dora, or find all of our nail services here.