Welcome to Episode 2 of our blog series: “Debunking Popular Nail Myths.”
Today, we’re clearing up one of the most common—and persistent—misconceptions in nail care:
Do nails really need to breathe?
Let’s break it down with the facts.
🧠 The Truth: Nails Don’t Breathe — And That’s Totally Normal
Despite what some people (and even some brands) might claim, nails do not need to breathe. Why? Because the nail plate isn’t alive. It doesn’t have lungs, can’t absorb oxygen from the air, and doesn’t exhale anything.
All the oxygen and nutrients needed to grow strong, healthy nails come directly from the bloodstream, not the air. The nail matrix—the part of the nail responsible for growth—gets 100% of its oxygen from blood circulation. So even if your nails are completely covered with gel, acrylic, or polish, they’ll still grow just fine.
💅 What Happens When You Apply Nail Products?
Many clients—and even professionals—worry that nail enhancements like gel polish, acrylics, or nail extensions may “suffocate” the nail.
The truth? They don’t.
While nail coatings may slow the rate at which moisture and oil pass through the nail plate, they don’t block it entirely. Studies show:
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The moisture content of the nail increases by 10–15% under coatings
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The natural oil content rises by about 1–2%
These changes actually help increase the flexibility of the natural nail plate.
And what about waste products? And what about waste products? They’re removed from the nail matrix and surrounding tissues by the bloodstream—not released into the nail plate. In fact, nail plates can grow and thrive in a completely air-free environment. All they need is a healthy blood supply to the matrix, nail bed, and surrounding tissue.
🚫 Don’t Fall for “Breathable Nail Product” Marketing Gimmicks
Some companies promote “breathable” nail products, suggesting their formulas are better or healthier because they allow the nail to “breathe.”
But as we’ve seen, there is no scientific evidence to support those claims.
In fact, these claims can be misleading—especially for nail technicians who want to make smart, science-based product choices for themselves and their clients. Statements that breathable products improve nail condition or prevent infections are unproven and, in our view, false and misleading—until proven otherwise.
We don’t recommend letting such marketing claims influence your purchasing decisions.
Zurno Believes in Facts, Not Fluff
At Zurno, we’re committed to educating beauty professionals with facts—not gimmicks.
That’s why our products, like T.A.P Gel and KaZEN Builder Gel, are developed with:
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Professional performance
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Durability
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Nail health in mind
No fake “breathing” claims needed—just high-quality results that speak for themselves.
✅ Key Takeaway
Nails do not need to breathe.
What they really need is:
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✅ A healthy blood supply
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✅ Proper hydration and care
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✅ High-quality products that don’t damage the natural nail
So the next time someone says, “Let your nails breathe,” you’ll know better—and you can pass the truth on to your clients, too.
💡 Want More Nail Education?
Stay tuned for the next episode in our myth-busting blog series. In the meantime, explore Zurno’s professional nail products—created for nail techs who value quality, science, and performance.
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