Do you really know what your nails are made of and how they work? Here is an illustrated breakdown so you can master the subject, discover the nail matrix's essential role, and learn how to care for your nails to keep them healthy.
Understanding the nail matrix
The heart of nail growth
On the surface, the nail is made up of a rigid layer of keratin and mineral salts like calcium, sodium, magnesium, and more. This hard keratin plate, also known as the nail plate, rests on a very thin skin called the nail bed, which holds the plate firmly in place and ensures its adhesion.
At the base of the nail, protected beneath the skin, lies the nail matrix. It is partially visible as a small white crescent called the lunula. It is within the matrix that cells multiply and become packed with keratin. Gradually, the keratin hardens into layered sheets to form a solid, uniform structure.
The matrix produces keratin continuously, allowing fingernails to grow an average of 3 to 5 mm per month, and toenails about 1 mm per month. It takes around 4 to 6 months for a fingernail to completely regrow.
Small pieces of skin at the base of the nails, called cuticles, protect the matrix. They form a waterproof seal where they meet the keratin plate, preventing water and bacteria from penetrating.
The anatomy of the nail in pictures
Matrix: the area at the base of the nail responsible for producing keratin and nail growth.
Cuticle: small layer of skin that covers the base of the nail plate, providing a waterproof seal and protecting the matrix.
Lunula: pale, half-moon-shaped area at the base of the nail.
Nail bed: very thin layer of skin that ensures the adhesion of the keratin plates protecting it.
As you can see, nails are living, fragile, and complex in their anatomical structure. Each part of this system plays a role and has specific needs to stay healthy.
Protect and nourish the nail matrix
The proper functioning of our nail matrix and, consequently, the quality of our keratin is closely tied to our diet. Healthy nails therefore start with a balanced diet and an adequate intake of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals—all essential elements to ensure proper nail growth.
To prevent deficiencies, especially in biotin (or vitamin B8), which is essential for keratin synthesis, a course of Nail Boost dietary supplements, concentrated in vitamins and natural active ingredients, can help revitalize your nails and boost their growth.
As an intensive or preventive treatment, dietary supplements rich in biotin, vitamins, and minerals can help revitalize nails and keep them healthy.
Certain incidents (impacts, cuts, torn nails, etc.) can cause more or less severe damage to the nail matrix. A specialist consultation is then required for effective treatment and optimal recovery. A damaged nail matrix can indeed affect the growth and quality of your nails over time, causing them to become soft, brittle, or splitting.
That is also why it's best to favor nail-friendly formulas: a Green Flash™ LED polish, which is removed without acetone or drilling, preserves the nail plate and minimizes stress on the matrix.
In this case, use a hardening treatment, such as the Keratin Booster, to redensify the nail plate and stimulate keratin production. In a 5 to 7-day treatment course, you'll see visible results.
Keratin Booster, a magical treatment to effectively revive tired nails.
Caring for your cuticles
A cut or improper cuticle care can also allow water and bacteria to penetrate, potentially damaging the matrix. These delicate little bits of skin are often overlooked, yet caring for them is essential.
Nourishing them regularly with a cuticle oil or balm prevents them from drying out, helping to regenerate and strengthen them.
Before a manicure, it is highly recommended to care for your cuticles by applying a bit of cuticle softener to soften them before gently pushing them back with a cuticle pusher without damaging them.
Find everything you need to treat cuticles and prep nails in our Nail Prep Set.
Strengthen and hydrate the nail plate
Temperature fluctuations, overexposure to humidity, repeated gel polish applications, and using acetone-based removers are all factors that contribute to weakening and damaging nails.
It is therefore important to hydrate, nourish, and protect them with products suited to their nature and type. Because, just like our skin, every nail is unique and deserves appropriate care. Not sure what your nail type is? Take an online diagnostic test to discover your customized routine in just a few clicks.
6 tips for healthy nails
Finally, let’s not forget that healthy nails also ensure longer wear for your polishes. So keep these tips in mind to make sure you care for them effectively:
- Maintain a healthy diet and opt for preventive treatments for optimal nail growth.
- Always keep something in your bag to regularly hydrate and nourish your nails and cuticles. Remember that the matrix also absorbs their active ingredients to strengthen itself and boost keratin production.
- Adopt a sustainable and sensible manicure routine. Opt for vegan and plant-based polish formulas, such as Green™ polishes and Green Flash™, which apply easily and remove without damaging the nail plate. Alternate polish applications with nail care treatments to help your nails regain their natural balance.
- Wear protective gloves to prevent shocks and avoid exposure to humidity or harsh chemicals.
- Avoid using your nails as tools or biting them.
Nourish, hydrate, protect: 3 golden rules for healthy nails and a flawless manicure.
The nail matrix therefore plays a central role in the health and growth of your nails. As the production center for keratin, it determines the quality, strength, and appearance of the nail plate. Caring for it daily—by protecting the cuticles, hydrating the nail plate, and choosing treatments rich in nourishing active ingredients—supports its proper function and encourages healthy, consistent growth. With the right routine, you provide the nail matrix with the ideal conditions to grow strong, smooth, and naturally radiant nails ✨
