It's not uncommon to see white spots or ridges on our nails. Even worse, at certain times, they can become brittle. But what does this say about our health? Is it a cause for concern? Let's take a closer look.
Between repeated manicures, washing dishes, gardening, hot baths, and even minor injuries, our nails are put to the test. Like all parts of the body, they can suffer damage. As a result, they can change in appearance, break, split, and develop white spots. These spots are often a reflection of other minor health problems. An OPI manicure expert reveals everything they can tell us about our health.
Do you notice small white spots on your nails? Don't panic, these little marks are simply air bubbles. "They have nothing to do with calcium deficiency!" declares Alexandra Falba, OPI manicure expert. Let's dispel some myths. "The nail is made up of dozens of layers of keratin that are compressed together," she explains. " When you experience a slight impact on the nail, the layers separate superficially." This phenomenon is what creates the appearance of the white spot. These small spots should, of course, not be confused with leukonychia, which is a discoloration of the nail.
Micro-trauma can be caused by all sorts of everyday activities : housework, nail biting, typing on a computer keyboard, washing dishes… Even if it's not painful, our nails can suffer. As surprising as it may seem, these white spots can develop on your toes following an impact or a nail condition: fungal infection.
How do you remove them? There's no cure: once the stain appears, you have to wait for the nail to grow back for it to disappear. But you can take preventative measures by slowing down and being careful with your movements. You can also "wear gloves during activities that could cause micro-impacts, to lessen the impact on the nail ." Keep this in mind when washing dishes or working in the garden. Finally, to " make the nail more flexible ," the professional advises applying a vegetable oil or balm daily, as a flexible and nourished nail better withstands impacts.
Horizontal ridges on the nails: what does this mean?
Ridges can have several origins. The first is genetic. If you have had vertical or horizontal lines on your nails since adolescence and your parents have the same thing, the cause may be hereditary.
The second cause is quite simply… old age . “The ridges on the nail are the equivalent of wrinkles on the face , ” explains Alexandra Falba. “The older you get, the more likely you are to see these ridges appear.”
Finally, there are some whose appearance is “solely linked to excessive dryness of the nail” . When it is dry, “the keratin layers have difficulty finding coherence with each other, so the ridges appear” , notes the expert.
Whatever their cause, there are solutions to lessen the appearance of these marks. First, apply an emollient balm, a nourishing balm, or a vegetable oil daily to the surface of the nail, massaging it in to restore its suppleness and flexibility, thus reducing the appearance of ridges . This massage also nourishes the nail matrix (the area surrounding the nail).
To smooth the nail surface, the professional suggests another solution: a filler base coat. “It dries clear and fills in the gaps between the ridges .” You can find it starting at around 8 euros in pharmacies; it can be applied instead of a regular base coat.
Using anything that can remove or abrade them, such as files or pumice blocks, is strongly discouraged, as it will weaken the nail even further. “It's a drastic solution in the short term, but it makes the nail soft and brittle ,” warns Alexandra Falba.
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