Why are nail beds dry after removing polish? Dry nail beds can be a source of annoying problems for your nails, including dry, fragile nails and an increased risk of bacterial or fungal infections. This article will help you combat the issue.
Dry nail beds can be caused by wearing nail polish for too long or by overuse of acetone nail polish remover. The best ways to fix dry nail beds are to take a break from nail polish for a while and to keep the nails and nail beds moisturized.
What Are Nail Beds?
The nail bed is the soft, pink tissue that lies beneath your nail plate (the hard part of the nail).
The nail bed supports the nail plate as it grows. It includes the hyponychium and the onychodermal – two layers of tissue that help keep out infection beneath the nail plate.
Although nails seem to be hard, they are in fact very permeable and can absorb substances, such as nail polish, that are applied to them.
Why Are My Nail Beds Dry After Removing Polish?
There are two main reasons why your nail beds may be dry after removing nail polish.
These are:
1. Wearing Nail Polish Too Long
Wearing nail polish for too long can dry out the nails, causing them to look whitish and chalky in appearance.
This phenomenon is known as keratin granulation. It’s caused by the chemicals in nail polish, which dehydrate the keratin molecules on the nail surface.
2. Overuse Of Acetone
Acetone is a chemical that is found in many nail polish removers. It can dry out nails if used too much, causing them to crack and peel.
If you tend to paint your nail polish thickly or use gel nail polishes, you will need to use more acetone to remove it. Both these factors combined cause even more damage to your nails.
How To Fix Dry Nail Beds
Dry nail beds can cause your nails to become brittle and break easily. There is also an increased risk of developing a bacterial or fungal infection.
For these reasons, it’s important to take care of your nails. The two easiest ways to do this are:
1. Take A Break From Nail Polish
It’s not a good idea to wear nail polish continuously, for the sake of your nail health.
If your nails are looking dry and in need of some TLC, take a break from nail polish for at least a week, but three to four weeks is even better.
One tactic you could try is to ‘rotate’, by leaving polish on for a few weeks, and then going without nail polish for a few weeks.
2. Moisturize
Nails are permeable, which can lead to staining and dryness if you leave nail polish on for too long.
However, that same permeability can also be the answer to the issue of dry nail beds.
To keep your nails healthy, apply a rich moisturizer such as vitamin E or coconut oil both to the nail and the nail bed when you’re not wearing nail polish.
To apply the oil to the nail bed, simply apply underneath the nail where it meets the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Thick moisturizing products, such as ointments or creams, produce the best results when it comes to moisturizing dry cuticles. Applying petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is an effective and inexpensive way to care for your cuticles. For best results, apply each time you wash your hands, or apply before bed and leave overnight.
Brittle nails are often caused by too little moisture. Nails can become brittle with repeated washing and drying of the hands.
Brittle nails can also be caused due to blood loss or not getting enough iron in your diet. Anemia can cause brittle nails that cave inward like a spoon.
It’s not uncommon to only see the half-moons (lunula) on your thumbs. A small or missing lunula is not usually something to worry about, as they are often hidden under the cuticle or the skin at the base of the finger.
Missing lunulas may be a result of trauma to the finger or possibly a sign of anemia, malnutrition, or depression. If you are experiencing fatigue or weakness along with missing lunulas, see your doctor to determine the cause.