Beautiful and well-groomed nails are the key to confidence and attractiveness for every girl. The elongated nail bed looks aristocratic and attractive. You can get it both at home independently, and resorting to procedures in the cabin. The nail bed is the area from the base of the nail to the edge, which does not touch the finger, to the so-called “smile line”. Hand care will not give an effect in 3-4 procedures, therefore, to lengthen the shape of the nails, you should be patient.
The structure of nails and their growth
Nails are keratinized plates, the function of which is to protect the delicate tissue under them from mechanical, chemical, thermal and other influences.
The structure diagram is presented in the figure, where:
- A is the nail plate.
- B - nail hole.
- C is the root.
- D - sinus (sinus) of the nail.
- E is the matrix.
- F - the nail bed.
- G - hyponichia.
- H is the free edge.
The lateral edges of the nail are surrounded by skin ridges, and the root part is covered by the posterior skin roller, which passes into the cuticle.
Nail growth occurs due to the formation of keratin, which, as it grows and is pushed out, becomes denser and becomes even and flat. This process is affected by nutrition, the state of the body, and even the time of year. On average, an increase of 0.6-1.6 mm occurs per week.
Causes of nail bed reduction
The nail grows over time to the skin under it. However, bad habits or other factors can interfere with this fusion and help reduce the distance of the nail bed. These include such bad habits:
- To bite, bite and bite nails with teeth.
- Tear off, break off, twist nails with your hands or on other objects.
- Scrape, rub, scratch with nails.
- To clean the dirt under the nails with the wedge-shaped edge of the nail file, pusher or any other tool. Any sharp objects “tear off” the skin from the nail, reducing the bed.
To clean nails should be a small brush, gently conducting under them.
Options for lengthening the nail bed
You can give a beautiful shape with the help of home care and cosmetic procedures, a special manicure, and a surgical method. Doctors are consulted in case of ingrown nails, finger injuries , as it is not possible to lengthen the nail bed independently. If there are no such problems, then you can achieve a good result on your own.
Beauty salons also offer spa treatments to shape and strengthen nails.
A special type of manicure that allows you to create the effect of a long bed is performed by applying an opaque varnish of a color close to natural. After that, in a different contrasting color, a new “smile line” is drawn above the edge above the existing one, thereby visually lengthening the nail. The advantage of such a manicure is naturalness and accuracy.
Still how to lengthen a nail bed? A good option may be to use a bright varnish, through which the outlines are not visible.
Basic care principles
If the question of how to lengthen your nails is relevant for you, pay special attention to your bad habits, which are mentioned above, and try to eradicate them. Remember that you are working to give femininity to your hands when you have a desire to gnaw a fingernail.
How to lengthen the nail bed at home? Remember, if you deal with nails constantly, then in the end you can come to the desired result.
As for the care of the nails, an integrated approach is important:
- softening and getting rid of the cuticle;
- correct shaping;
- nutrition, hydration and strengthening;
- care for the skin of the hands.
Additional activities may include:
- massage;
- creation of a protective coating (varnish, gel varnish);
- baths with sea salt and a drop of shower gel;
- intake of vitamins and minerals (calcium, retinol, or vitamin A, D, E).
Cuticle Processing
This is the first thing to start with. Even this operation alone will lead to the expansion of the nail bed. There are a large number of cosmetics to soften the cuticles: oils, creams, gel removers. It is necessary to apply one of them to the cuticle, wait 1-2 minutes, then move the orange stick and remove unwanted skin.
Orange sticks avoid skin and nail plate injuries.
It happens that at the initial stage, the cuticle begins to grow and shag. This is a transitional period worth enduring. Over time, it will become thinner and softer.
Before you lengthen your nails at home, you can make a warm bath with sea salt.
Shaping
Cutting nails with scissors is highly undesirable. To give an elongated shape to the nails should only be a nail file. It is this method that is considered correct. There is an opinion that metal files are harmful, so it is recommended to use glass and ceramic.
The form itself can be any, but for short nails at the initial stage, the oval shape is better - it is closer to the natural one and will contribute to a greater fusion of the skin and nail, that is, the effect that needs to be achieved. Only dry nails should be filed. Therefore, do not start to do this immediately after water procedures.
Care for the nail plate when lengthening the bed
Since we are talking about how to lengthen the nail bed, an important point is to protect it from drying out. In addition, nails need to be saturated with vitamins and give strength. For this, firming oils and creams are suitable. A drop of the product is applied to the nails and rubbed with soft circular movements in each for 30-60 seconds. You can use both professional products and simple oils:
- apricot;
- olive;
- peach;
- rose hips;
- bergamot;
- cocoa.
Ampoules from a pharmacy with vitamin A and E, lemon juice are perfect for this. Permanent use will lead to the creation of a dense structure of the nail plate, accelerate its growth and healthy appearance.
Moisturizing the skin
Without proper hydration and nutrition, the skin of the hands becomes dull and begins to peel off. About any stylish manicure then there can be no question. Make it a rule to use a caring cream every night before bed. Notice the result soon - the hands will become velvet, delicate, with even skin color. You can combine the use of cream and massage. It is necessary to massage each finger with turning and pulling movements in the direction of the nail.
Regularity of caring procedures
It is worth removing the cuticle as it grows, as well as giving the nails a shape with a nail file. The use of creams, oils, salt baths and other grooming procedures should be performed daily, saturating, nourishing, moisturizing, making the nail plate elegant and extended.
To monitor how the nail bed lengthens, photograph progress and changes once every one to two weeks. This will give you confidence in your actions, because it is difficult to notice daily changes of up to 1 millimeter per week, although it is this achievement that is the goal of care.