Nail prosthetics for optics and protection

When it comes to nails, many people focus on their appearance, but toenails have an important protective function for humans. They prevent foreign bodies and pathogens from entering the sensitive nail bed, acting as a natural protective shield for the toes. Nails play an important role for the body, both on the hands and feet. They ensure smooth movement and, as appendages of the skin, are one of the five sensory organs without which we would be completely disoriented.

Various causes can lead to damage to the nail plate and part of the nail breaking off or having to be removed.

Causes of nail replacement

There are various reasons why a nail prosthesis may be necessary. These include the following causes:

• Growth disorders (onychodystrophy), which are caused in most cases by fungal nail infections (onychomycosis)
• Brittle nails (onychorrhexis)
• Detached nails (onycholysis)
• During the removal of keratosis or subungual corns (under the nail)
• Trauma to the nail

Nail prosthetics as a solution

There are many different methods for restoring nails. Different approaches are suitable depending on the problem and the amount of work involved. It is important that a piece of the remaining nail is always left in place to hold the prosthesis in place.

Ready-made nail compound is a particularly simple method for reconstructing or strengthening nails that are partially damaged. GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Compound is ideal for this purpose. It is applied directly from the tube in a thin layer to the nail. While the compound hardens in the air (this takes about five minutes), the nail is shaped. To stabilize it, a fleece can be worked into the still-moist nail compound. This artificial nail protects the nail bed and is hardly distinguishable from the natural nail. It grows with the nail and can be cut and filed as normal.

Another method for reconstructing a damaged nail is to use a light-curing single-phase polymerization gel. This technique is inexpensive and does not require many accessories. With the GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Repair Set for hands and feet, you can create nail prostheses for your customers that are not only medically sound but also look great. The different colored gels can be mixed to match the natural color of the nail. Both nail prosthetics, Nail Repair Gel and Nail Mass, are comfortable to wear as they remain more elastic than air-curing two-component resins. A rigid replacement nail can exert too much pressure on the nail bed and may not give way sufficiently when pressure is applied to it. In the worst case, the regrowing nail can be “levered out” or damaged.

Working with GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Compound

Fig. 1: Advanced nail fungus destroys the nail plate.

Fig. 2: Loose nail parts, in the case of nail fungus all affected areas, are thoroughly removed with a burr down to the nail bed.

Fig. 3: GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Compound is applied in thin layers with a drying time of approx. five minutes between each layer.

Fig. 4: If necessary, the nail prosthesis can be reinforced with one or two layers of fleece, depending on the thickness of the nail.

Fig. 5: The prosthesis can be easily molded and smoothed while still moist using a wet finger or a wet instrument.

Fig. 6: Highly adhesive GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Compound is suitable for smoothing uneven nails and strengthening torn nails.

Working with the GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Repair Set

Fig. 1: Free of fungus and loose nail debris, the nail bed is optimally prepared for reconstruction.

Fig. 2: The three possible colors can be mixed directly on the nail ...

Fig. 3: ... and the prosthesis can be modeled realistically using a suitable brush.

Fig. 4: The prosthesis hardens completely under UVA light.

Fig. 5: The results after modeling are very similar to natural nails.

Fig. 6: With the inexpensive GEHWOL PROFESSIONAL Nail Repair Set, foot care specialists can easily reconstruct in an visually appealing way.