Manicure and Pedicure
Nail anatomy
What’s the purpose of the nail plate?
The nail plate acts as a protective shield, shielding the delicate tissues of the underlying Nail Bed.
What is the Matrix?
The matrix is in fact the ROOT of the nail. This area is not visible, it is hidden and protected by the Proximinal Nail Fold. The matrix produces keratin cells that make up the nail plate. As more and more cells are produced the older ones are pushed outwards and flattened, all this pushing and flattening results in the cells loosing their original white plumpish appearance.They eventually become transparent and become part of the nail plate.
Apart from producing the keratin cells that make up the nail plate, the matrix also determines the shape and thickness of the nail. The overall length of the matrix will determine the thickness of the nail; so the longer the matrix the thicker the nail. A short matrix produces fewer cells, as a result a thinner nail. Matrix shapes and sizes vary per person, a flat matrix will produce a flat nail and a curved matrix will produce of course a curved nail.
The matrix is the most important feature of the nail unit. Damage to the matrix can cause permanent damage to the appearance of the nail.
The Nail Folds
As mentioned previously the nail folds protect the matrix. The Proximinal Nail Fold and the Lateral Nail Folds are part of our skin. The skin does not just end there, it in fact folds at the edges and continues beneath. This continuing skin acts as a protective barrier, it in fact protects and seals the matrix against bacteria and dirt that is common within our environment.
The Eponychium
Normally referred to as the cuticle, but it is in fact not the true cuticle. The eponychium attaches closely to the nail plate and moves with it as the nail plate grows. This extra growth of eponychium is generally freed and pushed back during a manicure.The eponychium’s function is to act as a barrier seal to stop bacteria, infection from getting to the
What’s the purpose of the nail plate?
The nail plate acts as a protective shield, shielding the delicate tissues of the underlying Nail Bed.
What is the Matrix?
The matrix is in fact the ROOT of the nail. This area is not visible, it is hidden and protected by the Proximinal Nail Fold. The matrix produces keratin cells that make up the nail plate. As more and more cells are produced the older ones are pushed outwards and flattened, all this pushing and flattening results in the cells loosing their original white plumpish appearance.They eventually become transparent and become part of the nail plate.
Apart from producing the keratin cells that make up the nail plate, the matrix also determines the shape and thickness of the nail. The overall length of the matrix will determine the thickness of the nail; so the longer the matrix the thicker the nail. A short matrix produces fewer cells, as a result a thinner nail. Matrix shapes and sizes vary per person, a flat matrix will produce a flat nail and a curved matrix will produce of course a curved nail.
The matrix is the most important feature of the nail unit. Damage to the matrix can cause permanent damage to the appearance of the nail.
The Nail Folds
As mentioned previously the nail folds protect the matrix. The Proximinal Nail Fold and the Lateral Nail Folds are part of our skin. The skin does not just end there, it in fact folds at the edges and continues beneath. This continuing skin acts as a protective barrier, it in fact protects and seals the matrix against bacteria and dirt that is common within our environment.
The Eponychium
Normally referred to as the cuticle, but it is in fact not the true cuticle. The eponychium attaches closely to the nail plate and moves with it as the nail plate grows. This extra growth of eponychium is generally freed and pushed back during a manicure.The eponychium’s function is to act as a barrier seal to stop bacteria, infection from getting to the