THE NAIL LAB
KEEP NAILS AND HANDS IN TIP-TOP SHAPE THIS WINTER
Mavala Switzerland’s national trainer Tracey Winder shares her expertise on knowing the signs of poor nail health, as well as healthy habits to improve some common nail and cuticle problems.
During winter, it’s expected skin will become a little drier and need extra hydration and it’s no different for your hands and nails. Increased dehydration can mean that the nail condition is weakened, dry, brittle, soft or they might even start peeling.
“Winter is the time to super-charge your treatments for the nails and hands by integrating enriching products into your care routine that are going to condition the nails and skin,” says Tracey. Invest in a top quality, moisturising base coat for your nails, which you can use daily on its own or under any colour, she adds.
Unruly, dry cuticles? “A specialist cuticle oil is a great solution for ragged cuticles and often best applied overnight for intensive results. Winter is the ideal time to be using a heavyduty overnight hand cream that can work wonders on dehydrated skin while you sleep – amplify the effects by wearing a pair of cotton gloves,” adds Tracey.
COMMON CONCERNS
Hang nails These can often cause discomfort, sometimes pain, as a result of dry and hardened cuticles. “These can tear away or splinter from the nail plate. This is usually a sign of poor hydration to the cuticle, a bad manicure and also being a nail-biter,” notes Tracey.
Solution: Tracey recommends using an intensive treatment for your cuticles with a daily cuticle treatment oil rich in vitamins E and F that will soften the skin and loosen overgrown cuticles. “Also take care to remove the excess skin gently with appropriate cuticle removing
products and tools. If you are a nail-biter, get on top of this habit with a topically applied nail-biting deterrent such as Mavala Stop, which has a distinct bitter taste.”
Soft and peeling “The most common causes of soft nails are prolonged exposure to certain substances (detergents or solvents) without wearing gloves, and nutritional deficiencies, in particular in silicium,” says Tracey, further adding that other factors can include certain medication, unhealthy lifestyle including lack of sleep, exercise and a poor diet.
Solution: Nails need extra protection, like a nail hardener that goes beyond the nail surface and penetrates deep into the nail plates. “Ensuring your diet is rich in silicium, a mineral likened to ‘cell cement’, helping nails to grow faster and be more resistant.”
Dry, splitting and brittle
“Not only does this indicate dehydration, but it’s also a key indicator of a poor diet – dietary deficiencies not only prevent nails from growing normally but can also cause weakness and brittleness,” says Tracey.
Solution: “Eat well and minimise nail contact with harsh substances. Vitamins
A, B, C, D and E are the most important for healthy nails, so ensure your diet covers the full spectrum of food groups. Minerals like calcium, iodine, iron and magnesium are also essential. Apply a nutritive nail solution that quenches the nail plate, restoring hydration and elasticity.” Tracey also suggests keeping nails short to minimise damage while using a product that restores and maintains flexibility in the nail.
Nail ridges “This can be linked to a variety of factors including diet, certain dermatological disorders or even an illness. Ridges often indicate a lack of the mineral sulphur in your diet. The mineral sulphur is readily available in protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and milk. If you are a vegan, you can get your mineral sulphur intake through garlic, onions, cabbage, cucumbers, brussels sprouts, turnips, nuts, kale, lettuce, kelp and raspberries.”
White Spots This condition is caused by small air bubbles being trapped between nail cells, says Tracey, adding that it may be hereditary but can also be caused by bad tissue nutrition or poor keratinisation.
Solution: Go gentle on your nails for a period and up your diet to include foods that promote healthy nail growth like carrots, green vegetables, eggs and fish. “White spots can easily be camouflaged under a nail polish, so keep your nails painted. If you wear nail polish all the time, make sure you choose one that lets your nail breathe and is free from toxic ingredients like parabens, camphor and nickel, to name a few.”