HUMAN FINGERNAILS

According to archives, our nails developed from claws; these have the function of protecting the soft tissues of the fingertips and the bone beneath, therefore essential to our anatomy.

Nails develop around 12 weeks after conception.

Although they are essential, and in terms of our anatomy they are probably the most abused due to biting, peeling and being used as “screwdrivers”!

Readers may wonder why and take note below as to why so many changes take place within one’s nails:

White spot is an excessive buildup of calcium, perhaps due to the disease Psoriasis being one.

Brittle and pitted nails are common causes of excessive use of acetone.

Haemorrhaging appears as “blood spots” being damaged beneath the nail plate.

Yellow nails are invariably a fungal infection having spores in the nail bed.

Blue/purple nails relate to cardiac issues or poor blood circulation not reaching the extremities.

However, away from the “nasties” rather a look at the glamourous or fashionable side.

In China, in 3000 BCE men favoured various nail colours, choices often depicting wealth.

The Egyptians favoured dark colours and were the invention of red, however, Henna was commonly used.

The Victorian era was very staid and bright colours depicted vulgarity.

Interestingly, the first nail file was created from a dental tool for the King Of France!

The length of nails, as with all the changes in the beauty world is worth discussing `

During the 1950’s and 1960’s, long claw-like oval nails were high fashion.  At one time, blunt and rounded nails were acceptable. Pointed nails are often said to be preferable in the East.

Around the 1950’s fake nails were created. In these modern times with races and populations varying, no hard and fast rules exist which allow for much experimentation.

In a future blog, the creation and chemicals involved in the production of nail products will be discussed.