The nail bed sits on top of tiny blood vessels that feed it and provide your nails with their pink color. Layers of keratin bind together, and the nail slowly grows out from the root of the nail bed toward the end of your finger or toe. Your cuticles can be smooth or a bit raggedy, and it's often easier to see them on your hands than on your feet. This is the name for the crescent-moon shape of paler skin under the nail. Each nail has its own lunula, but it's easiest to see on your thumbnails.
Nails are important because they can help protect the fingertips and toes.
And they can often make it easier to do certain things - fingernails can help you grab something that is very small, for example. Being Nice to Nails Nails are necessary and it's a good idea to keep them healthy. Luckily, it's easy to be nice to nails. Don't pick at or ever try to trim your cuticles - these are your nails' natural protection force and they need to be healthy to do their job correctly. If you use chemicals in art class or wood or metal shop, be sure to wear rubber gloves, since many types of chemicals can weaken and hurt fingernails.