QuestionI've been using gel nails for about 6 months and acrylics for about 4 years prior to that. My question is about the seemingly shortening length of the nail bed on my thumb. My natural nail tip seems to be growing lower (deeper?)on the bed on nail. I always have a french finish which means that now the natural nail is visible on the pink portion of the nail bed following my service. Why would this be happening? Any help you can provide would be helpful.
AnswerDear Deb,
It sounds as if the natural nail might be lifting from your nail bed. This usually occurs due to either trauma or infection.
It looks somewhat like this: http://www.salongeek.com/attachments/health-safety-unaturale/914d1107457320-onyc...
If it indeed looks like this, it can be caused by:
Trauma
i.e. Catching the nail in a pickle slicer.
Mechanical force
i.e. Nippers, using metal implements to clean under the nail, Jedi Knights that fix x-wing fighters.
Abrasive Burns
i.e. Playing quest for fire while blending in a tip. The Bed Epithelium has been know to heat up to 107 degrees to 150 degrees while filing on the natural nail plate. This can scar the Bed Epithelium and promote Onycholysis.
Some nail conditions
i.e. Chronic Onycholysis is often a symptom of nail Psoriasis.
Please feel free to contact me for further information.
In cases like this, it's best to see a doctor to rule out infection, and also to file the nail short and keep it VERY short until the problem grows out and the nail seemingly reattaches to the nail plate.
I hope this helps
Best regards
Victoria
