Nail prosthetics is the replacement of the missing part of the nail plate or reinforcement of its injured area with artificial material. The procedure is of particular interest to women because it eliminates a cosmetic defect. It returns hands or feet to a beautiful, well-groomed appearance. Nail prosthetics is a temporary measure, until a new healthy nail grows back.
When do they work?
Prosthetic nails on the hands or feet solves aesthetic problems that arise from certain illnesses or accidental injuries. It helps to eliminate psychological discomfort, get rid of embarrassment, unnecessary questioning of others.
Prosthetic nails are used for:
Glycolysis (separation of the nail plate from the bed);
Fungal infection (onychomycosis), if a large part of the plate has had to be cleaned;
strengthening, additional stabilization of the nail plate if it is splitting, brittle;
Loss of part of the nail due to trauma;
Deformation of the nail plate (ingrown, twisted, spoon-shaped);
the need to overcome the distal nail bed (the condition when the skin at the free edge of the nail becomes rough, and it is difficult for the nail to cross the barrier for further growth in length).
The procedure is also meant to protect the naked part of the bed from trauma, restore temporarily lost functions, correct the direction of nail growth (ingrown nail prosthetics).
Such protection is especially relevant for women’s hands. For example, after the nail filing of the fungus affected area and removal of part of the nail plate, the nail bed will be open. Since it contains many nerve endings, the scraping place will be very sensitive to any touch. You will have to be careful to wash your hands, cook, change clothes or do other household activities. Protection of the nail bed with artificial material will help to remove unpleasant feelings, will give the opportunity not to be afraid to perform simple actions, not to hide your hands from others.
Benefits of nail prosthetics
To do or not to do the procedure? Before answering this question, it is necessary to get acquainted with its benefits. According to reviews after prosthetics, artificial nails in appearance are almost no different from natural ones. They can be covered with nail polish, decorated with rhinestones, other decorative elements. They look natural, are comfortable to wear.
Prosthesis does not weigh the plate, has good flexibility. Promotes the growth of even, strong own nails. When installed on the toes, it does not cause problems with walking, because it is able to cushion.
Nail prosthetics are safe, quick and painless. Prevents damage to soft tissues, protects the nail bed from injuries, loads, preserves tactile sensations. When using materials with fungicidal components, reliably protects against fungal infection.
Disadvantages of nail prosthetics
For reliable installation of the prosthesis, it is necessary to have at least a small part of your nail plate, preferably more than 2 – 3 mm in length. The larger the area will be the fixation zone of the artificial material in nail prosthetics, the better it will hold up.
The gap between the artificial material and the nail bed can develop infection, so preventive measures are needed.
Nail prosthetics and nail extension
Are nail prosthetics and nail extension with acrylic or gel for decorative purposes the same thing? No. In fact, they are quite different in purpose and technique procedures. How do they differ?
First, different materials are used. Coatings for building up are too hard, can seriously traumatize the damaged nail plate and nail bed at the time of the load. Therefore, medical gels containing plasticizers are used for nail prosthetics. They give the artificial material both strength and flexibility. Sometimes coatings are needed, which contain active antifungal substances with therapeutic properties. Specialists often use the gels of the German company “Jewel”. They come in three colors – opalescent, pink and transparent. They can be applied directly from the tube.
Secondly, the method of performing the procedures is different. In contrast to the gel or acrylic nail extensions, not every master can make prosthetic nails. Here, special knowledge and 100% sterility are extremely important. Disposable materials and sterile tools are used. This rule is strictly observed in our Topology Center in Moscow for prosthetic nails on hands or feet.
How is it done?
Prosthetics gel nails on the hands or feet is done in one session after the treatment of inflammation, if any. The tight fit to the nail bed and the softness of the gel allows you to fully simulate the natural plate.
The procedure consists of the following steps:
Preparation of the nail plate, removal of the damaged part, grinding, antiseptic treatment, degreasing.
Application of a thin layer of special gel for prosthetic nails.
Polymerization, gel hardening under a UV lamp.
Application of 1-2 more layers of gel in the same way.
Forming the free edge of the white color.
Correction of the shape, polishing.
How the nail looks after prosthetics is shown in the photo on the Internet.
In addition to the above, there are other techniques. For example, when the prosthesis is made in advance according to an impression, or when the nail is formed by layer-by-layer application of glue and cooling (a breathable material on a non-woven basis). To better understand how they differ, watch the different types of nail prosthetics on YouTube videos. Which method is better suited is determined by a specialist, depending on the cause of glycolysis, the severity of the initial condition.
With fungus, it is allowed to perform nail prosthetics only after the completion of treatment. If you apply an artificial coating earlier, it can end in the complete destruction of your own nail plate, worsening the situation. The fact is that when modeling is done on the nail bed on the feet, unlike in the hands, there is no free edge here. The prosthesis fits tightly to the bed, so there is no oxygen under it. At the same time, moisture continues to be released from the bed, and if there is any residual infection in a closed, moist space, it creates very favorable conditions for its development. After the treatment of onychomycosis, nail gels with clotrimazole, triclosan or other antifungal active substances are used.
Care after
After nail prosthetics, the supervision of a phonologist is required. The artificial material is worn until the healthy nail fully grows back. This can take from 1 month to a year, depending on the growth rate of the plate and how much of it was originally lost. During this time, every 1 to 2 months, the prosthesis is corrected or replaced.
When wearing the artificial material, a gentle regime and protection from excessive loads is indicated. With prosthetic toenails after a fungus or injury, sports should be temporarily excluded. They increase the load and pressure on the toes (dancing, soccer). And also refuse shoes with a narrowed toe, as this will lead to deformation of the prosthesis and increase the treatment time.
After prosthetics, it is very important not to let the nail get caught, because in this case it will come off together with the natural nail. It is necessary to use daily at home the preparations advised by a specialist. It is important to treat the finger with antiseptic agents. To improve blood circulation and nutrition in the damaged nail bed, it is recommended to make a light massage daily at the base of the nail plate.
When can’t I do it?
The procedure should not be done if there are open wounds in the treated area, inflammatory or purulent process, acute fungal infection. With fungal infection, with the help of hardware sweeps, creams, therapeutic varnishes, sprays containing active antifungal components, first destroy the causative agent. Limitations to the procedure still include the complete absence of the nail plate.
For safe nail prosthetics, contact a podiatry center, because it is quite a serious medical procedure. It can be performed by a specialist who has the appropriate training. Entrusting it to an ordinary manicurist or pedicurist is dangerous. Especially if in parallel there is onychomycosis, ingrowth, diabetes. Properly rendered assistance will return your hands and feet to beauty and neat appearance, eliminating the fear of wearing open shoes, going to the beach or the pool.