Artificial nails; looming danger

Fake and overdue nails provoke fungi infection and distort both nails and fingers.

The beauty of a woman has gone beyond the face nowadays. Women do not only focus on making the face smooth, but have put emphasis on the appearance of their nails. Those working in financial institutions and banks, and those in airline ticketing offices are obliged to either treat natural nails properly or wear well-decorated artificial nails to please customers. Though it makes them smart and gorgeous, it is not without negative effects.

According to an expert in artificial nails working for a beauty salon in Akwa, Douala, Lipaka Fils, placing the right nails with unadulterated products over years causes no harm to toes, fingers and natural nails.

“Artificial nails should not exceed three weeks after placing because they might cause the natural nails to become soft and dull in colour. When the nails are removed, fingers and toes should be left for at least a week before placing another set of artificial nails. When an artificial nail gets broken, the bearer should immediately contact an expert for removal,” Lipaka advised.

Most women are ignorant of the consequences of placing artificial nails all the time. Too much of it without intervals for the toes and fingers to relax will lead to fungi infection, forcing the natural nails to make way and the finger or toe to swell.

An artificial nail lover, Anne Djeumo, who places artificial nails without interruption, said she has never suffered fungi infection because she uses good products to treat her nails each time she removes the artificial ones.

Another lover, Frida Ekoh, who at press time was placing what she termed “Lady Gaga”, said she likes mixed colours because it makes her smart. “I used to place long nails, but for my pregnancy, I have decided to place short ones because I might soon give birth,” she revealed.

Placing artificial nails is not bad, but the product used and the duration on fingers and toes makes it a problem. Artificial toe nails are more dangerous due to the heat that accumulates in shoes that cover the toes. However, putting on open shoes like sandals does not guarantee that fungi infection and ingrown toe nails cannot hit the toe.