How To Keep Your Nail Bed Healthy & Cared For

By now, we've all heard that getting frequent manicures might not be the best for nail health due to potential damage. However, did you know that a significant part of your nails' well-being is actually dependent on the nail bed, a part of your nails that isn't even visible? If you keep your nail bed healthy and cared for, your nails will show it. Luckily, you can easily look after your nail bed through avoiding overly damaging habits as much as possible — which unfortunately does include harsh beauty treatments at the nail salon — and maintaining your overall health. 

"The nail bed is the support structure for the nail plate — it impacts the strength, color, and texture of the nail and is vital for nail health," says Jin Soon Choi, a celebrity manicurist who spoke to Byrdie. Essentially, your nail bed is the skin located underneath the entire surface of your nail which houses a number of blood vessels and nerve endings. In other words, it's what hurts when you get your manicure mechanically removed. "The nail bed's condition significantly influences nail length, shape, and color," Soon adds. So, if you want naturally beautiful nails, it's time to give your nail beds some hard-earned love by replacing bad habits with things your nail beds will love — like a regular cuticle oil treatment — and looking after your general health. 

The first step in taking care of your nail beds is slowing down with your manicures. Those who find it challenging to extend the wait between nail treatments should try out "nail cycling," the manicure trend that keeps your nails healthy (which is really just opting for a more gentle type of manicure). While nails get their nutrients from the bloodstream, nail polishes, gels, and dip powders can irritate the bed if you don't give your nails a break every four to eight weeks. "Avoid aggressive cuticle treatment by gently pushing back the cuticle, opting for a fine-grit emery board for smooth filing, and being mindful of [nail polishes and products] harsh ingredients," Jin Soon Choi reveals to Byrdie. These include formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), known as the "toxic trio." Instead of cutting off your cuticles, it's advisable to properly remove them using a wooden cuticle stick.

Once you've given your nails a breather, it's time to go all out with products that will properly hydrate your nail beds. "Hydrate your hands and feet with nourishing creams, and consider using a cuticle oil or nail strengthener with biotin or keratin to promote optimal nail health," Soon adds. In addition to adjusting your beauty habits, make sure your lifestyle isn't detrimental to your nail-bed health by keeping on top of your nutrition and overall health.

If there's something wrong with your overall health, your nails can tell you something about it — and will also be impacted by it. Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Jaimie DeRosa told Byrdie that the nail beds should be light pink in color, and if they're not, something might be wrong. For example, white spots known as leukonychia can indicate a deficiency in iron, zinc, or calcium. While leukonychia is usually harmless, pale nail beds are not. "It is a good idea to get checked by a doctor if your nails appear pale," DeRosa said, explaining that it could be a sign of malnutrition, anemia, liver problems, and even heart failure. 

As your nail beds can point to deficiencies and issues with your overall health, addressing these problems can restore your nail beds to their best possible shape. Hydrating them alone will not help in the case of a nutrient or vitamin deficiency, or another health problem. "For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion," naturopathic expert Dr. Sara Norris shares with Healthline. "Brittle, weak, and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease." Biotin supplements are recommended by experts to boost nail health overall, but it's best to check with your doctor to find a tailored diet or supplement schedule to help address any health concerns you have.