Nail Structure and Growth

Milady’s Standard Cosmetology

Cosmetology:

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve

greatly”

Robert Francis Kennedy

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Objectives• Describe the structure and

composition of nails• Discuss how nails grow

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

The Nail• An appendage of the skin• Technical term: onyx

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Composition of the Nail• Keratin• Nail plate• Healthy nail• Nail porosity

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Anatomy • Nail bed• Matrix• Nail plate• Cuticle, eponychium,

hyponychium• Specialized ligaments• Nail folds

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Bed• Skin where nail plate

rests• Extends from lunula to

free edge• Attached to nail plate• Supplied with many

nerves

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Matrix• Where nail is formed• Composed of matrix cells• Contains nerves, lymph, blood vessels• Extends from under nail fold (lunula)• Injury to matrix affects growth

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Plate• Horny nail plate or body• Rests on nail bed• Formed by matrix cells• Constructed in layers• Free edge extends over tip

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Cuticle• Loose and flexible• Seals against foreign matter• Prevents injury and infection

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Eponychium and Hyponychium• Eponychium: extension of cuticle at

base of nail body that partly overlaps lunula (living tissue)

• Hyponychium: thickened skin beneath free edge

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Specialized Ligaments• Attach the nail bed and matrix to

underlying bone• Located at base of matrix and around

edges of nail bed

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Folds• Folds of normal skin surrounding

nail plate• Form nail grooves• Grooves are slits on sides of nail

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Growth• Grows forward from matrix• Grows in variety of shapes• Growth is 1/10” per month• Grows faster in summer than winter• Children’s nails grow faster than older

people’s

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

• Middle nail grows fastest; thumb slowest

• Toenails grow slower than fingernails

• Not shed automatically

Nail Growth

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Nail Malformation• Caused by disease, injury,

infection• Fingernail replacement takes 4 –

6 months• Toenail replacement takes 9 – 12

months

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Summary and Review• Describe a normal healthy nail• What is the technical term for nail?• What substance composes the nail

plate?

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

Summary and Review• Name the basic parts of the nail• What part of the nail contains the

nerve and blood supply?• Explain how the nail grows

MILADY’SStandardInstructor Support SlidesCOSMETOLOGY

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program completion!