The Science of Why Fingernails Break

07-24-14

                                               WHY FINGERNAILS BREAK

From doing some personal research and from personal experience I have been able to discover why nails tend break and can become difficult to keep long. It has to do with strength, flexibility, and hardness, however, these three must be interconnected to one another to have successful nail growth.

The matrix (lunula or moon) which is at the cuticle of the nail produces oils and moisture that help to keep your  nail bending and flexible which helps your nail to resist an object ( say light switch) that would cause it to break. 

If something is strong, according to Hooked on Nails, the nail needs to be able to resist the object that would cause it to break and notes how likely something can break under force.   If something is flexible, it determines how well the nail plate will bend.  If the  nail is hard,  it measures how much the nail plate can be dented or scratched.  Toughness is a combination of all three:  flexibility, strength, and hardness and this combination creates an ideal nail plate.

So when thinking of the reasons why fingernails break you must first consciously consider the conditions under which time the nail breaks:

• Is it cold outside?  The cold/dry winter air causes the moisture to evaporate out of your nails and nail bed leaving your nails prone to hardening with no protective moisture barrier and this causes your nails to be less resistant when the nail comes in contact with another object (for example a light switch). 
• Were you driving when the nail broke?  The constant getting in and out of your vehicle can wreak havoc on your nails.  The door hands, steering wheel, carrying of groceries, the hatchback door can cause wear and tear if you unknowingly hit your nail against these surfaces. 
• Working around the kitchen or other areas of the house?  Washing dishes and cooking can cause nails to break.  The contact of your nails against pots and pans can damage your nails or washing dishes in the sink without gloves, can not only weaken your nails, but cause an unknown break to your nail.  The water in the sink softens the nail and makes them more susceptible to damage and breakage, this is why gloves are ever so important.  One lady on YouTube states that she even carries gloves to her mother's house during the holidays or special occasions when she thinks she may be helping with the dishes.  This is an awesome idea.  And she has beautiful and even fingernails. So ladies...gloves, gloves....gloves.
• Miscellaneous conditions where damage can occur are just plain living life.  I have broken my nails on my knee by just excitingly jumping up, from rushing to go somewhere, carelessly picking up items around the house etc....you get the picture.  So it is best to just slow down and be careful and conscious about what you are doing with your hands and nails.  Keep hand creams, lotions, and oils nearby or in your purse.  These items are life savers for keeping your nails.  You also want to keep your nails filed squarely and trimmed during the winter or during times when you will be extraordinarily busy such as moving or yard work for these will make you nails vulnerable to damage and breakage.  So slow and be careful and let's grow our long and strong ladies.  Power to your nails!