Holiday glamour meets nail health: What your festive manicure might be hiding

The 2026 holiday season has ushered in a stunning array of nail color trends, shifting away from predictable bright reds toward deep, sophisticated earth tones.

This year, rich cacao and dark chocolate shades have become the season’s ultimate versatile neutrals. For a moodier aesthetic, intensely deep black cherry and plum are challenging traditional burgundy for the top spot at the salon, while icy blue and silver chromes provide the perfect high-shine finish for winter festivities. With such an array of gorgeous options, it is easy to keep our hands constantly polished, wrapped in gels, and adorned with extensions.

However, playing with colors and embellishments shouldn’t get in the way of taking care of your natural nails.

“What may look pretty on the surface may be covering an entirely different story underneath. Our nails can provide us with clues and hints about our health as a whole,” explains dermatologist Sharon Osmena Lim, MD, FPDS, DPSV, from the Makati Medical Center. “Keep an eye out as changes in nail color, its texture, shape, and even its strength. These can point to underlying medical conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, infections, and possibly even cancer, which will definitely require further attention.”

Nails that frequently split or break may be linked to poor nutrition, fad diets, decreased circulation, or trauma caused by excessive manipulation during manicures. Discoloration is another common issue; persistent yellowing may signal a fungal infection, while dents or pits might be associated with skin conditions like psoriasis.

“Discoloration, changes in color or thickness, swelling of the finger or toe, separation of the nail from the nail bed, and pain require medical evaluation, especially if the condition worsens over time or does not resolve on their own. This is particularly crucial for individuals diagnosed with systemic diseases like diabetes, kidney disease and other conditions that may affect wound healing,” Dr. Lim adds.

She notes, “While we cannot diagnose a health issue just by basing it on the changes in one’s nail appearance, it can serve as a starting point for further assessment by a medical professional.”

Beyond internal health clues, our beauty routines heavily impact nail integrity. Frequent gel manicures, UV curing lamps, and chemical exposure can weaken the natural nail plate over time. To protect your hands, Dr. Lim recommends proper daily habits.

“Make sure that our nails are always kept clean and dry to avoid bacteria and fungi from growing as they thrive in moist environments. A good practice is to use a non-fragrant, mild cleanser and to always dry our hands after being exposed to water or chemicals,” Dr. Lim states. “Avoid frequent hand-washing and nail-biting and picking, as well as using your nails as tools like opening hard containers. When handling chemicals, wear gloves as a precautionary measure.”

Above all, she emphasizes the importance of stepping away from the salon chair periodically. “Give your nails a break from all the buffing and chemical and UV exposure. Allotting recovery time after treatments can reduce risks of long-term damage that may be harder to reverse – or worse, cause permanent damage.”