We’ve blogged before about nail polishes so we thought you might be interested in this video from Joanne the Science Goddess that shows the differences between quick drying and long lasting nail polishes.

It’s always fun to watch cosmetics catch on fire!

Melissa’s question…From what I understand, nails, like hair, are dead cells. Except for the cuticles. I asked a manicurist once and she told me OPI Nail Envy works because it has vitamins in it. This makes no sense to me because, even if it does have vitamins on it, how would putting vitamins on a dead cell, make any difference?

The Left Brain’s answer:
Yes, vitamins in nail products = Marketing BS.

Vitamin vitriol

However, it is worth noting that oil soluble vitamins like Vitamin E & A could help keep the nails less brittle because they would have a plasticizing effect. However, this would be true of many oils.

And, as Dano pointed out in our Forum, Dano “nails are made up of keratinized cells – dead cells jam-packed full of hard keratin protein. The same thing in the dead surface skin cells that allows them to be protective and help keep bad things out of us and good things in us. We can’t put a topical cream containing vitamins on our nails, and actually have it sink down to the cells lower down the nail, or even under the nail bed, just like we can’t spread food on our skin and get our nutrients that way.” (In the Forum thread you’ll also see Melissa’s hilarious comment about a Clinique sales person telling her to buy a certain foundation because it had “more technology.” Funny stuff!)

What do YOU think? Do you buy beauty products with vitamins because you think they’re better for your skin and hair? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

It’s time for another Beauty Science poll and this time we have a theme: Know Your Nails. (I was inspired by the Right Brain’s post last week on coconut oil and nails.) Three of these statements about nail science are true; one is a clever forgery. Can you guess which one is the fake? Scroll down on the right sidebar to cast your vote.

Which statement is FALSE?

1. Toe nails grow about 50% slower than finger nails.

2. Finger nails grow faster on longer fingers.

3. If you’re right handed, nails  grow faster on your right hand.

4. Thicker finger nails grow more slowly.

If you aren’t sure or think you know, leave a comment and get hints from the Beauty Brains community.

Kitten Devine’s question…I’ve read your post about coconut oil being able to penetrate the hair and strengthen it. Now, since I’m looking for both something moisturizing for my cuticles and something to strengthen my nails Ive started to apply coconut oil to my nails and cuticles (only since yesterday, so I can’t tell if it’s working yet) so I wondered if it works the same way on nails as it does on hair? Can it penetrate the nailplate? And is it even possible for any product/ingredient to penetrate the nails and actually strengthen and condition them?

The Right Brain’s reply:

Thanks for a very intriguing question, Kitten. So far, we’ve not been able to find a definitive answer in the scientific literature but we did uncover a couple of interesting tidbits in the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists.

Nourishing nails

First, it is known that nails are more flexible when the water content is higher. And when you’re nails are more flexible they’re less likely to chip and break. But surprisingly, oil alone does not have much effect on nails. Researchers treated nails with mineral oil showed no increase in flexibility. But when they applied mineral oil to previously hydrated nails their flexibility was increased.  This finding suggests the oil itself is not strengthening the nail against breakage, but that the oil can lock in water.

Another experiment showed that an oil and water mixture (specifically a phospholipid-water preparation for those of you keeping score at home) did boost nail flexibility. The researchers theorized that oily material that can bind and seal water in the nails are helpful in improving flexibility (and therefore, strength.)

Second, the same article also pointed out that some materials can penetrate the nail but there was no indication that penetration and strengthening were connected.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

Oil can help keep nails moisturized and keep them strong by making them more flexible so they’re less likely to chip and break. But it appears that using lotion should be better than oil alone, unless you’re hydrating your nails first and then using oil to seal in the moisture.

Source:

J. Cosmet. Sci., 50, 363-385 (November/December 1999) Structural  characteristics  and permeability  properties of the human nail: A review GOURI V. GUPCHUP and JOEL L. ZATZ, College  of Pharmacy, Rutgers  University

What do YOU think? What’s your favorite nail treatment? Leave a comment and share your favorite nail treatment with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

Charlotte’s concern: I went with my daughter and had a my first and probably only pedicure. After I had my pedicure I read a article that said you could get HIV from a pedicure. I’m worried. How true is this?

The Left Brain’s calming response:

While transmission is theoretically possible it is highly unlikely. According to this doctor, there have been no reported cases of HIV, Hepatitus B or C transmission from nail salons. Still, if you’re worried, I think you get tested by your doctor (the Oraquick Advance HIV 1/2 Rapid Test will give you a result in 20 minutes at your doctor’s office. You can take a Hepatitis screening as well.)

The real issue here is the cleanliness of your salon. While HIV transmission is not a serious concern, dirty implements and improperly sanitized foot baths can cause a variety of other infections. See our previous post about the danger of infection from pedicures for more details.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

There’s very little chance you’ve contracted HIV from your pedicure. But if you’re really concerned about taking your daughter to a nail salon, you might consider a Do It Yourself approach. See the links below for some of the basic tools you’ll need.

What do YOU think? Are nail salons safe or do you avoid them because of fear of infection? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.