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Entendendo o pH nos cuidados com as unhas

The concept of pH is widely discussed in beauty and nail care, but it’s often misunderstood. While pH plays a crucial role in the overall health of skin and hair, it’s important to clarify that nails themselves do not have a measurable pH value. Nails are solid structures made primarily of keratin, a protein, and pH applies only to aqueous (water-based) solutions. However, understanding how pH impacts the surrounding skin, nail products, and overall nail health is essential for nail technicians.

O que é pH no tratamento de unhas?

pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance on a scale from 0 to 14:

• Acidic: Um pH abaixo de 7
• Neutro: Um pH de 7
• Alkaline (Basic): Um pH acima de 7

The skin surrounding the nails typically has a slightly acidic pH, usually between 4.5 and 5.5. This natural acidity serves as a protective barrier against bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms. Maintaining this balance is crucial for overall nail and skin health.

As unhas têm um pH?

No, nails do not have a measurable pH value. Nails are composed of keratinised cells—solid, fibrous proteins that lack free hydrogen ions or water content necessary for pH measurement. While some articles suggest that nails have a “natural pH,” this is scientifically inaccurate. Instead, what can be influenced is the ambiente de superfície of the nails due to external factors like water absorption, product application, or exposure to harsh chemicals.

As unhas têm um valor de pH no tratamento de unhas?

While nails themselves don’t have a pH, the products applied to them—such as esmaltes para unhas, removers, gels, or creams—do have measurable pH values. These products can affect:

1. Pele ao redor: Produtos com níveis extremos de pH (muito ácidos ou muito alcalinos) podem romper a barreira natural da pele ao redor das unhas, causando irritação ou maior suscetibilidade a infecções.
2. Nail Plate Condition: Prolonged exposure to certain products can alter the moisture balance within the nail plate, making it brittle or overly flexible.
3. Desempenho do produto: Nail products like primers or cleansers are often formulated with specific pH levels to optimise adhesion or removal processes.

Microorganismos

Our skin is full of all kinds of microorganisms, they help us stay healthy but sometimes they turn into monsters and start to attack us – but that’s a story for another day.

Nails are also surrounded by microorganisms and when we put artificial nail products on them the microorganisms that need oxygen to survive die – and the ones that function without oxygen stay alive.

Everyday on the socials we see what happens when our resident microorganisms become opportunistic and turn on us – pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of them.

An interesting fact: Men have a more moist layer of skin than women – testosterone is responsible for more oil and thicker skin and women have more estrogen which helps to maintain collagen and elasticity, removing any and or all of these skin layers as a ‘nail treatment’ and doing so will affect the pH balance of the skin in and around the nail unit.

Fatores que influenciam a saúde das unhas

Rather than focusing on “nail pH,” professionals should prioritise factors that genuinely impact nail health:

1. Níveis de hidratação: As unhas podem absorver água de seu ambiente, o que os amolece temporariamente, mas não altera sua composição inerente.
2. Segurança do produto: O uso de produtos que sejam suaves para as unhas e para a pele ao redor ajuda a manter a saúde geral (da unidade das unhas).
3. Saúde da pele: The cuticle area and surrounding skin play an important role in protecting nails from external damage. It’s important to maintain healthy skin or to improve it without exception.
4. Técnicas de aplicação: As técnicas adequadas de preparação e aplicação garantem a eficácia do produto e minimizam os danos.

Dicas para técnicos de unhas

Fornecer serviços eficazes de cuidados com as unhas:

• Use produtos projetados para uso profissional que sejam suaves para as unhas e para a pele ao redor.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals (e.g., acetone or acidic primers).
• Oriente os clientes sobre a manutenção de unhas saudáveis, protegendo suas cutículas e a pele ao redor.
• Concentre-se na hidratação, recomendando cremes ou óleos para as mãos que apoiem a saúde da pele sem prejudicar seu equilíbrio natural.

Conclusão

While nails themselves do not have a measurable pH value due to their solid keratin structure, the concept of pH remains relevant in nail care through its impact on surrounding skin and product performance. By understanding how products interact with nails and skin, nail technicians can make informed choices that promote safety, health, and integrity for their clients.

Remember: it’s not about measuring “nail pH” but about ensuring that products work harmoniously with the body’s natural systems to maintain healthy nails and skin.

Este artigo revisado elimina quaisquer alegações enganosas sobre as unhas terem um pH natural, mantendo informações úteis sobre como o pH influencia as práticas de cuidados com as unhas indiretamente por meio de produtos e da saúde da pele ao redor. Ele oferece clareza e, ao mesmo tempo, mantém seu tom educativo para os profissionais do setor de unhas.