First things first: Do you know what your fingernails are made of? Our fingernails and toenails are made of a protein called keratin, which is basically just a bunch of dead cells.
Keratin is also found in our hair. Scientifically speaking, our nails are actually just modified hair, which is quite strange if you think about it. The reason cutting our nails and hair doesn’t hurt is because the cells are dead. Interestingly, bird feathers and horse hooves are also made of keratin.
You may have heard the myth that nails continue to grow after death. That's not true. Nails can't grow because they are made of dead cells, and dead cells on a dead body aren’t going to keep growing. This myth likely became popular because, after death, the skin around the nails shrinks, giving the illusion that nails have grown.
Did you know fingernails grow faster than toenails, and men’s nails grow faster than women’s? However, during pregnancy, women's nail growth surpasses men’s. Many believe prenatal vitamins are responsible for longer hair and nails during pregnancy, but it’s actually due to hormones.
Typing or excessive movement of the fingertips doesn’t necessarily guarantee long, healthy nails, but it can help speed up growth. The more movement and tapping on your fingertips, the better the blood flow, which can encourage nail growth. However, beware—more tapping can also put your nails at risk of damage and breaking, which can set back your progress.
Lastly, fingernails have no nerve endings. That’s right—no nerve sensations at all. Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, I’ve felt something before!” Yes, you’ve likely experienced pain from hangnails. Hangnails extend deep beneath the skin of the cuticle, and nerves are concentrated around the cuticle. Your brain integrates sensations from the tips of your fingernails and cuticles, which is why it can feel like nails are sensitive—but they aren't.
No comments:
Post a Comment