6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
Onycholysis: What Nail Pros Should Know About Nail Separation
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
by Staff
June 3, 2025
3 min to read
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
What Is Onycholysis?
In onycholysis, the nail acts like a lever, slowly pulling away from the nail bed. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including:
Physical trauma
Chemical exposure
Underlying skin conditions or systemic diseases
Certain medications
While this condition often resolves on its own, it can take several months—sometimes up to a year for toenails—to fully recover, depending on severity and cause.
Common Symptoms of Onycholysis
Look for these visual and physical cues:
White or opaque area on the nail where detachment occurs
Thickened skin under the lifted nail
Pitting or indentations on the nail surface
Discoloration, especially if an infection sets in (green for bacterial, white for yeast)
No initial pain, though discomfort may develop if infection or trauma continues
Note: A separated nail opens the door for infections. "An area has opened that’s normally been clean and closed,” says Doug Schoon, an internationally-recognized scientist, author and educator with over 30 years experience in the cosmetic, beauty and personal care industry.
What Causes Onycholysis?
While multiple causes exist, physical trauma is the most common culprit. Other causes include:
Physical Trauma:
Overfiling the natural nail
Vigorous cuticle pushing or cleaning under the nail
Tapping/typing, especially with long nails
Wearing tight shoes (common with toenails)
Blunt force (e.g., slamming a finger in a door)
Chemical and Product Irritants:
Nail hardeners or adhesives
Frequent wet work or prolonged water exposure
Allergic contact dermatitis from nail products
Health-Related Causes:
Psoriasis or thyroid disease
Fungal or bacterial infections
Medications that affect nail growth
Older clients may be more susceptible due to thinning skin and weaker nail bonds.
Treatment and Recovery
Key Guidelines:
Avoid trauma to the affected nail(s)
Keep the area clean and dry
Trim nails short and avoid manipulating the lifted area
Do not attempt to remove the detached portion—this should be handled medically
Refer to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment
If infection is suspected:
A physician may order lab tests to confirm fungal involvement
Medications or antifungals may be prescribed
Tips for Nail Technicians
If you see signs of onycholysis on a client:
Do:
Recommend a physician visit for diagnosis
Be gentle with the affected nails
Shorten nail enhancements (without removing them)
Keep nail beds dry during services
Adjust services for lifestyle (e.g., suggest shorter nails for frequent typists)
Don’t:
File aggressively or over-manipulate the nail
Apply nail polish, remover, or enhancement chemicals on the affected nail
Attempt to trim or remove the detached nail
Red Flag: If multiple clients are showing signs of onycholysis, examine your filing technique and service protocol for potential contributors.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Wellness
The Invisible Hazard in Every Nail Salon and How to Fight It
From acrylic monomers to airborne bio-dust, the air inside a nail salon carries risks most professionals never see coming. Aerovex Systems reveals the source-capture and room-purification strategies that are setting a new standard for salon safety.
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
Nail Safety Council Warns Holiday Shoppers About Toxic 'Magic' Gel Polish Removers
Products marketed as 'magic' or 'burst' gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
How Beauty Pros Can Prevent Pain: Somatic Movement for Career Longevity
Working in beauty doesn’t have to hurt. Learn how Somatic Movement helps hairstylists, lash artists, and other beauty pros release tension, improve posture, and extend their careers.
Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks
As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.
Federal Research on Nail Salon Safety Concludes Due to Budget Reductions
A federal initiative aimed at studying chemical exposure in nail salons has ended due to staffing and budget changes. Here’s what the project set out to do—and what its conclusion means for salon professionals.
by Anne Moratto
Opinion: What You Need to Know About Pedicure Safety
For many people, a pedicure is a relaxing beauty ritual. But what most don’t realize is that this simple service, if done without proper hygiene and sanitation, can cause serious infections and long-term health issues.
What to Say--or Not Say--to Someone Grieving
Mckenzie Kool, Psychologist, MC, RPsych provides us with guidance on what may or not be helpful in speaking with someone who has suffered a significant loss.
Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections
Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).
Beauty Professionals, It's Time to Take the Green Pledge
As Earth Day approaches, The Green Beauty Community Foundation and the Green Spa Network invite beauty pros to step forward and embrace sustainability through the Green Pledge--a powerful initiative designed by and for beauty industry leaders.
How Not to Be Cynical About Valentine's Day
Don’t cancel Valentine’s Day altogether, urges Jill Palmquist. Instead, think of it as a (frilly, flowery, Champagne-bubbly) wake-up call to fall deeply in love with your own life.
Temporary Burnout or Time to Hang Up the Shears?
Life coach and Culture Ambassador of Sam Villa, Andrew Carruthers, outlines how to tell if your burnout is temporary - or if it's time to make a bigger career change.
Nail Care and Cancer Treatment: 6 Tips for a Safe Nail Service
Cancer treatment can create very specific challenges for your guest when it comes to hair, skin, and also nails. Here are some tips for working with your salon client who is going through cancer treatment to help you provide a relaxing, enjoyable, and also safe experience.
Sun Patch Protects Hands from Sun Damage
For those clients concerned about exposure from UV lamps, the Sun Patch might be a solution. Sun Patches are waterproof, reusable (up to 10 wears) block 98% of UVA/UVB rays, and maintain their UPF 50+ rating all day long.
by Anne Moratto
The Nail Doctor: Onycholysis, or Nail Separation, Has Different Varieties
One of the most common conditions that affects the nail is onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. Onycholysis occurs as a result of or along with a great variety of nail traumas and disorders. Probably the most common cause of onycholysis is a fungal infection of the nail.
Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity
Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.
Summer Celebrations: Expert Tips for Enjoying the Festivities Sober
As July 4th approaches, an addiction recovery expert gives seven tips to avoid a relapse and stay sober during this period where temptation presents itself at social events.