Nails are hard primarily because they are made of keratin, a tough, protective protein.
Here's a breakdown of why:
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Keratin's Role: Keratin is the same protein that makes up your hair and the outer layer of your skin. It's a fibrous structural protein, meaning its molecules are arranged in long, strong fibers. This structure gives nails their rigidity and resilience.
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Nail Growth and Hardening: Nail cells are produced at the nail matrix, located beneath the cuticle. As new cells grow, they push older cells forward. These older cells undergo a process where they flatten and become densely packed with keratin. The water content decreases, further hardening the nail.
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Process Summary:
- New nail cells are created in the nail matrix.
- New cells push older cells forward.
- Older cells flatten and become packed with keratin.
- Water content decreases, hardening the nail.
In essence, the hardness of your nails comes down to the high concentration of keratin and the way the nail cells are structured as they mature.
