And what if we tried to prevent problems rather than dealing with them after the damage has been done? This is the suggestion from Leila Pasar, curator of high-quality handmade natural products containing plant extracts, flowers, and resins. After discussing the care of eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair in previous issues, this month she shifts her attention to nail care, parts of our body that are often too neglected.
“In my experience,” she explains, “I have often found that nails are not given the importance they deserve. Women, in particular, love to treat them with beauty products to enhance their aesthetic side, but rarely worry about their real health. Then, when damage begins to show, they deal with it in a hurried and improvised manner, perhaps by buying a random pharmacy product. Many beauty treatments represent a real form of aggression to the nails by removing layers and not allowing them to breathe properly: it is therefore very important to know in advance our body’s reactions and choose products that can best balance health and beauty, preventing small/large problems.”
What treatment would she suggest? “I propose the natural pumpkin seed oil, number 2 (scientific name: Cucurbita pepo oil), which protects the beauty and health of the nails and the skin around them, slowing the growth of cuticles, those thickened patches of skin that form at the nail root. Oil number 2, otherwise known as Pumpkin oil, contains omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids, but also vitamins A, C, and E, and carotenoids that help to nourish and strengthen the nails. In ancient Persian tradition, pumpkin has always been used to refresh and hydrate the body with an effective softening action. The oil that leverages its properties thus promotes nail growth and prevents the formation of fungi and hangnails, strengthening the tissue underneath and creating a protective layer. The same oil can be used on other parts of the body with thicker skin, such as elbows, knees, and heels. Moreover, by applying it regularly and keeping the skin well-hydrated, it also promotes a more even tan under the sun’s rays.”
How should pumpkin oil be used? “It’s very important to apply it regularly, with small circular massages, and it is valuable for preventing the negative effects on the skin of the many climate changes. It is also suitable for men who can rediscover the pleasure of a healthy and fresh treatment. It can also be used from the age of 6 and up, when a child comes into contact with more ‘aggressive’ environments.”
Fingernails, but also toenails… “Certainly. The oil acts as a disinfectant and prevents bacterial problems. It is therefore also appropriate for toenails that are wrapped in closed shoes for long periods of the year,” concludes Leila Pasar.
