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.
Under the Microscope: Onychorrhexis
Onychorrhexis describes the thinning and longitudinal ridging that often accompanies brittle nails.
by Staff
October 8, 2012
3 min to read
What is it? Onychorrhexis just means brittle nails. When nails are brittle, they often split at the ends and have longitudinal ridging. The appearance of longitudinal ridging alone is referred to as onychorrhexis. The appearance of split ends alone is referred to as onychoschisis. Because onychorrhexis is a natural result of aging, it affects both men and women, and both the fingernails and toenails.
How do you get it? While the most common cause of onychorrhexis is age, there are times when onychorrhexis is not the result of aging. When this is the case, doctors look for a systemic health problem that is changing the structure of the nails. Onychorrhexis can result from bulimia, anorexia, and even cancer. It can also be the result of psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions.
How is it treated? No treatment for onychorrhexis as a result of aging exists, and the condition isn’t seen as a health concern. If onychorrhexis is the result of skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, once these conditions have been resolved, the nails will recover. The vitamin biotin has been shown to improve the overall strength of the nail. The recommended dose for brittle nails is 2.5 mg. daily. Because it takes an average of six months for a fingernail to replace itself, your clients should be committed to taking biotin for four to six months. Genadur, the first FDA-approved treatment to help strengthen fragile, brittle nails, recently became available by prescription. According to manufacturer Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals, Genadur helps improve the condition with a once-daily brush-on application that may start showing results in as little as 14 days.
What can a tech do? When a client comes in with splitting at the tips of the nail plate and longitudinal ridging, determine whether she has a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema. If not, ask about the overall health of the client: Is she under a doctor’s care for any health problems? Is she taking medications with side effects to the nail? If she is under the care of a doctor for any health conditions, make sure the doctor is comfortable with her getting nail enhancements. The doctor might want to keep the nails natural so she can continue to use them as a gauge of what is happening internally. If a client has no known health conditions, but the skin around the nails looks compromised, or the nails show signs of pitting, refer her to a dermatologist. If she has no health condition and her cuticles are not compromised, go ahead with natural or artificial nail services.
What else? Some clients will have onychoschisis, splitting on the ends, but they have no evidence of longitudinal ridging. The culprit for splitting ends in an otherwise healthy nail could be environmental. Nails can split at the tips when the hands are frequently in solvents, such as alcohol or water, or if their nails tap frequently against a keyboard or piano keys.
Dr. Joseph Jorizzo and Dr. Dana Stern contributed to this article.
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.
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.
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.