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Beauty fanatics who trim their fingernails and toenails frequently risk damaging their nail health, physicians reported. A research team from the University of Nottingham found that daily trimmings could hurt nail growth and lead to nail problems.

"It is remarkable what some people are willing to do to make their nails look good, and it is in this context that I decided to look at what we really know about nails. Reading the scientific literature on nails I quickly realized that very little physics or math had been applied to nails and their conditions," the study's lead author, Cyril Rauch, said according to Medical Xpress.

For this study, the team used multiple equations to estimate how the physical force of different kinds of trimmings affected the nails and focused on ingrown toenails. They examined how nails adhere to the nail bed through tiny, microscopic structures. These structures help the nails slide forward and grow.

The researchers found that when people cut and trim their nails daily, the clipper places stress on the nail, which can cause the nail to grow too fast or too slow. Daily nail maintenance can also affect the adhesive structure. Both factors can then lead to nail growth complications.

"Looking at our results, we suggest that nail beauty fanatics who trim their nails on a daily basis opt for straight or parabolic edges, as otherwise they may amplify the imbalance of stresses which could lead to a number of serious conditions," Rauch said.

The researchers added that their findings could help prevent painful ingrown nail problems. The team also believes that their research can benefit farm animals, such as sheep, horses and ponies that suffer from a lot of hoof problems.

"I believe that physics can make a difference by promoting a new type of evidence-based veterinary medicine and help the veterinary and farrier communities by devising trimming methods to alleviate pain and potentially remove the cause of serious conditions," Rauch said.

The study was published in the IOP Publishing's journal, Physical Biology.