Ava Monroe
Fingernails and toenails are made of the protein keratin and grow at an average rate of 3.47mm per month. However, the rate at which nails grow is influenced by several factors, including age, gender, and hormones. While younger people tend to have faster-growing nails, nails commonly grow more slowly, become duller, and more brittle with age. Nails may also thicken or thin, turn yellow or opaque, and develop ridges as a person ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate of fingernails | 3.47 mm/month or 0.1 mm/day |
| Average growth rate of toenails | 1.62 mm/month |
| Fingernails growth rate | Depends on age, gender, handedness, illness, and season |
| Toenails growth rate | Depends on age and gender |
| Nail growth | Peaks during puberty and declines with age |
| Nail changes with age | Become slow, dull, brittle, thick, yellowed, opaque, and prone to breaking |
| Nail changes texture with age | Caused by conditions like anemia, hardening of arteries, and hormonal problems |
| Nail disorders | Common in older people, accounting for about 50% of all nail disorders |
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What You'll Learn
Nail growth slows with age
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about 3.5 millimetres per month, or about a tenth of a millimetre per day. However, this rate can vary depending on several factors, including age, gender, hormones, and overall health. Nail growth is said to peak during puberty and gradually slow down as hormone levels balance out with age.
As early as the age of 20, the growth rate of nails slows down by about 0.5% per year. This decline in growth rate continues with age, and nails may also become dull, brittle, and prone to breaking. Nails may also turn yellow or become discoloured, opaque, and grey. These changes are due to the skin becoming less elastic and shiny with age, and the decrease in blood flow that comes with it.
In addition to aesthetic changes, nails can also become thicker or thinner and develop lengthwise ridges. While many of these nail changes are minor, some can indicate more serious health issues such as heart and lung disease, anaemia, liver and kidney problems, diabetes, and nutrient deficiencies. For example, blue discolouration can be a sign of lung cancer, while yellow discolouration can indicate a respiratory disease. Dark stripes or ridges can be a sign of melanoma or malignant skin cancer, and should be checked by a doctor, especially if they appear on only one digit, such as the big toe, thumb, or index finger.
To maintain overall nail health as you age, it is important to take care of your body and address any underlying health conditions. While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, taking biotin supplements, using nail hardeners sparingly, and eating a healthy diet can help strengthen your nails and prevent them from breaking.
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Nails may become brittle and discoloured
Fingernails and toenails commonly change as people age, often becoming brittle and discoloured. This is because nails naturally decrease in strength over time, causing them to break more easily. While toenails tend to get thicker and harder, fingernails become thinner and more brittle.
There are two types of brittle nails: dry and brittle, and soft and brittle. Dry and brittle nails are caused by a lack of moisture, while soft and brittle nails are caused by too much moisture. In rare cases, brittle nails can be caused by underlying health conditions such as anemia or thyroid problems. Anemia is caused by a lack of iron in the body, which leads to low red blood cell levels. Thyroid problems, on the other hand, cause the body to create too many or too few hormones, affecting the absorption of minerals.
To prevent and treat brittle nails, it is important to keep them moisturised. This can be done by soaking the nails in water for five minutes and then applying a lotion that contains lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acids. Wearing gloves while doing household chores or using chemical products can also protect the nails from harsh detergents and cleaning fluids.
In addition to moisturising, dietary changes and supplements can help strengthen brittle nails. Eating foods rich in iron and zinc, such as meat, fish, and poultry, can improve nail health. Taking biotin supplements, a type of vitamin B, can also help strengthen nails within 3 to 6 months. However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking any supplements, especially if you are pregnant or have any health concerns.
While brittle nails are a common issue, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor if home remedies are not effective. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause and suggest additional treatments.
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Fingernails grow faster than toenails
One factor is age. Nail growth is said to peak during puberty and then decline as hormone levels balance out with age. A study by Dr. William Bean found that his left thumbnail grew at a rate of 0.123 mm per day when he was 23 years old. By the time he was 67, this rate had dropped to 0.095 mm per day. This change in speed may be due to the slowing of blood circulation with age.
Another factor is the individual's handedness. Nails tend to grow faster on one's dominant hand, possibly because using that hand more increases the risk of trauma, which stimulates circulation in the nail bed. Additionally, nails tend to grow faster in the summer than in the winter, and growth rates may be faster in men than in women and in women during pregnancy.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, there are ways to increase their overall health and prevent them from breaking. For example, taking biotin and using nail hardeners (sparingly) can help strengthen nails.
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Growth rates are affected by gender and hormones
The rate at which nails grow is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, gender, and hormones. While the exact mechanisms that control nail growth are not yet fully understood, it is known that growth rates vary with age and tend to slow down as individuals get older.
Growth Rates and Gender
According to some sources, men's nails tend to grow faster than women's. One study found that younger age and male gender were associated with faster nail growth rates, although these differences were not statistically significant. Additionally, women's nails may grow faster during pregnancy.
Hormones and Nail Growth
Hormone levels can also impact nail growth rates. Nail growth is said to peak during puberty and then decline as hormone levels balance out with age. Conditions such as anemia, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and hormonal problems can cause changes in nail texture.
Other Factors Influencing Nail Growth
Aside from age, gender, and hormones, other factors can affect nail growth rates. These include handedness (nails tend to grow faster on the dominant hand), illness (nails may grow faster after an illness), and season (nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter).
As individuals age, their nails may undergo various changes, including discoloration, thickening, and brittleness. These changes can be influenced by external factors such as repeated exposure to moisture, harsh chemicals, or cosmetics. Additionally, certain health conditions, such as anemia, kidney problems, and nutritional deficiencies, can contribute to nail changes.
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Nail disorders are more common with age
While the exact mechanisms that control the speed of fingernail and toenail growth are unknown, it is said that nail growth peaks during puberty and declines with age. Fingernails grow at an average rate of about a tenth of a millimetre per day or about 3.47 millimetres per month, while toenails grow at an average rate of 1.62 millimetres per month.
Some common nail disorders in older people include Neapolitan nail, which is characterised by an absent lunula and three horizontal bands of white, pink, and opaque discolouration. This alteration is observed in around one-fifth of people older than 70. Another common change is Terry nail, which is usually seen in liver cirrhosis and chronic congestive heart failure but has recently been observed as a nonpathological change of the normal ageing process.
Other nail disorders that may appear with increasing frequency with advancing age include brittle nails, onychauxis or thickening of the nail plate, onychocryptosis, infections (especially onychomycosis), and onycholysis. Traumatic nail disorders are also common in the elderly, with subungual hematoma, nail loss, and splinter haemorrhage being observed in several cases.
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Frequently asked questions
No, nail growth slows slightly as you age. Fingernails grow at an average rate of about 3.5 millimetres per month, while toenails grow about one-third to one-half as quickly as fingernails.
The rate at which your nails grow is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, gender, handedness, hormones, and overall health. Nails tend to grow faster on the dominant hand, during the day, and in the summer.
As nails age, they may grow more slowly, become dull and brittle, and change in colour, thickness, and texture. Fungal infections, which are common in older people, can cause nail thickening and discolouration. It is important to monitor your nails for any unusual changes and consult a healthcare provider if necessary.
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