About Your Nails
Nails, hair, eyelashes and eyebrows are all considered superficial body growth.
Nails are a smooth, semi-durable plate consisting primarily of the protein Keratin, which is rich in sulphur and sulphurated amino-acids (cystine, methionine). Nails also contain mineral ions (calcium, iron) and, of course, water. Their surface is protected by a lipid film, which gives them their polished appearance.
Nails grow continuously along the surface of the finger (the nail bed) at an approximate rate of 0.1mm a day on fingers and half that for the toes. The horny limbus (the visibible part of the nail) is replaced every 6 months on the hands and every 12 months on the feet.

Nail Care Guidance
Several times a day your nails are subjected to a variety of traumas, which make them fragile, soft, ridged, split, cracked, dry and brittle.

• do house-work without gloves: gloves provide protection from harsh cleaning substances and damage to the nails and matrix
• over expose hands to water: just like the skin on your hands, nails become fragile; the protective lipid film is destroyed and then nail becomes soft
• over use nail polish: some nail polishes use pigments that migrate towards the nail plate and deeply impregnate them with this discolouration; even after polish has been removed, the nail retains this unsightly colour
• use a formaldehyde-based hardener: even if the effect is striking from the the very first application, the nail very quickly becomes crumbly, brittle and yellow (formaldehyde destroys the structure of the keratin and diminishes the resiliency)
• use artificial nails: the nails cannot "breathe" and may be severely damaged by certain resin-based glues and harsh chemicals. In some cases they become subjected to fungal infections
• use metal nail-files: as they are hard, they cause repeated trauma (striations). Use a pliable emery file instead

• stimulate the nail by massaging: massaging the tips of your fingers stimulates the blood and lymph circulations; tapping your fingers is also stimulating
• give your nails a rest: if you must use nail polish, give your nails a holiday one week in every month. Nail polish gives the nail a hermetic coating which stops it taking in oxygen
• eat a balanced and varied diet: with plenty of vitamins and minerals
• relax: a little relaxation makes up for long hours of stress and is also good for healthy nails

Nail Care Selection Guide

Soft Nails - Over-hydrated nails
Use the Nail Strengthener with Silk Lipesters to reinforce the nails.
Follow with the Clear and Shiny Top Coat to protect. This will also strengthen and boost the nail's natural resistance.
Brittle Nails - Dehydrated, dry nails
Use the Strengthening Cream to moisturise and the Nail Strengthener with Silk Lipesters to protect.
Follow with the Clear and Shiny Top Coat to protect. This will also strengthen and boost the nail's natural resistance.
Ridged Nails - Nails disfigured by horizontal or longitudinal ridges
Use the Strengthening Cream to replenish the nails at the base.
Use the Cuticle Softening gel (if cuticles fail to grow back, this exerts pressure on the nail and may leave marks).
Use the Beauty Mask to promote growth and strength.
Follow with the Flexible Base Coat to render the surface smooth and healthy looking.
Split and Cracked Nails - Crumbling nails which split at the free edge
Use the Strengthening Cream for healthy renewal of the damaged nail, and the Nail Strengthener to reinforce internal cohesion of the nail structure.
Yellow Nails - Nails discoloured by coloured polishes
Use the Strengthening Cream to nourish.
Use the Beauty Mask to promote growth and strength.
Follow with the Flexible Base Coat to immediately improve the appearance of the nails.
Bitten Nails - Free edge of nail and skin are torn
Use the Bitter Nail Polish on the nail and finger tip once daily. To encourage re-growth, massage with the Strengthening Cream daily.