Liam Carter
Many people desire long and strong nails, but achieving this can be challenging. One common piece of advice is to tap your nails on a hard surface, such as a table, to stimulate the nail bed and promote nail growth. However, this advice is controversial, and there is little evidence to support the claim. Biting your nails, for instance, is a bad habit that damages them. To achieve stronger and healthier nails, it is recommended to maintain and hydrate your cuticles, eat a balanced diet rich in protein, biotin, zinc, and iron, and moisturize your hands and nails regularly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tapping Nails Makes Them Stronger | Myth |
| Recommended Action | Hydrate nails with a high-quality jojoba wax ester-based nail oil |
| Recommended Action | Moisturize more with Vaseline, Aquaphor, or dimethicone-based creams |
| Recommended Action | Avoid nail hardeners |
| Recommended Action | Maintain and hydrate cuticles |
| Recommended Action | Eat protein, biotin, zinc, and iron |
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What You'll Learn
Tapping nails on a table does not make them grow
Tapping your nails on a table will not make them grow. While some nail technicians may advise that this action stimulates the nail bed and strengthens the nails, this is not based on scientific evidence. In fact, Doug Schoon, author of Nail Structure and Product Chemistry, refutes this claim by stating that if tapping nails on a table led to nail growth, all piano players would have long and strong nails.
There are several other methods that can help strengthen nails and promote growth. Firstly, maintaining healthy cuticles is crucial as they act as a seal and a barrier, retaining moisture and preventing infections. Instead of trimming your cuticles, gently push them back. Additionally, avoid using nail hardeners as they can make your nails excessively hard, leading to cracking and breaking.
To enhance nail health, it is essential to keep your nails and hands moisturized. Dry hands can negatively impact nail strength. Consider using greasier products like Vaseline or Aquaphor, which are effective in sealing in moisture. If you prefer a lighter option during the day, opt for creams containing dimethicone.
Another way to promote nail growth is by maintaining a balanced diet. Dr. Adigun recommends increasing your intake of specific nutrients for optimal nail health. This includes consuming more protein, found in foods like pork, broccoli, and lentils, as well as biotin, present in eggs, salmon, and peanuts. Additionally, incorporate zinc-rich foods like green beans, shellfish, and cashews, and iron-rich options such as beef, spinach, and kale into your diet. It is worth noting that a ketogenic diet is not advisable due to its association with biotin depletion. However, if you are medically required to follow this diet, taking biotin supplements can help counteract the loss of biotin.
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Nail technician advice
Tapping your nails on a table will not make them grow. This is a common misconception, often perpetuated by nail technicians, that has no scientific basis. In fact, Doug Schoon, author of Nail Structure and Product Chemistry, refutes this claim by stating that if it were true, piano players would have very long and strong nails.
Now, if you want your nails to grow longer and stronger, here are some science-backed tips from nail care professionals:
- Maintain and hydrate your cuticles: Healthy cuticles are essential for healthy nails. Avoid picking, trimming, or manipulating your cuticles in any way. Instead, gently push them back and apply a high-quality jojoba wax ester-based nail oil to hydrate them.
- Moisturize your hands: Dry hands can lead to brittle and weak nails. Apply moisturizer to your hands regularly, especially after washing them. Greasier products like Vaseline or Aquaphor are effective in sealing in moisture, but if you don't like the greasy feeling during the day, use lighter creams with dimethicone and apply the greasier products only at night.
- Maintain a balanced diet: Just like your skin and hair, your nails can benefit from a nutritious diet. Focus on consuming more protein, biotin, zinc, and iron. For example, eat more pork, broccoli, lentils, eggs, salmon, peanuts, green beans, shellfish, cashews, beef, spinach, and kale. However, avoid a ketogenic diet as it can lead to biotin depletion; if you must follow this diet for medical reasons, take biotin supplements.
- Avoid nail hardeners: While they promise stronger nails, these products can do more harm than good. They can make your nails too hard, causing them to crack and break easily.
- Avoid cutting your nails: Cutting your nails can irritate or infect them. Instead, gently push your cuticles back and file your nails to shape them. Remember, well-shaped and manicured nails, regardless of their length, can be beautiful.
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Stimulating the nail bed
Tapping your nails on a table will not make them grow. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that stimulating the nail bed will lead to stronger nails. In fact, Doug Schoon, author of Nail Structure and Product Chemistry, refutes this claim by reasoning that if it were true, piano players would have very long and strong nails. Schoon further adds that our fingernails exist to protect our fingertips as we go about our daily tasks, and there is no reason to stimulate the nail bed.
To strengthen your nails, it is recommended to maintain and hydrate your cuticles. Cuticles act as a seal and a barrier, keeping in hydration and keeping out possible infections. To hydrate your nails, you can use a high-quality jojoba wax ester-based nail oil.
Additionally, moisturising your hands is crucial for maintaining nail strength and health. Greasier products such as Vaseline and Aquaphor are most effective in sealing in moisture. You can also use lighter creams with dimethicone during the day if you don't like the greasy feeling.
Another way to strengthen your nails is by maintaining a balanced diet. Dr. Adigun suggests increasing your intake of protein, biotin, zinc, and iron for healthier nails. You can get protein from pork, broccoli, and lentils; biotin from eggs, salmon, and peanuts; zinc from green beans, shellfish, and cashews; and iron from beef, spinach, and kale.
It is also advised to avoid nail hardeners as they can cause nails to become so hard that they crack and break more easily. Instead, try ridge filler as a base coat to give your nails a smooth and clean look.
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Nail biting
Tapping your nails on a table will not make them grow. While there are many old wives' tales about nail care, the best way to achieve stronger nails is to keep them well-shaped, manicured, and hydrated with a high-quality nail oil.
The physical consequences of nail biting include damaged nails, infections, and even chipped or cracked teeth. Over time, it can also lead to jaw problems. As our hands are a hotbed for germs, nail biting can also increase the chances of getting sick as it provides a direct pathway for germs to enter the body through the skin and mouth.
There are several methods to stop nail biting, including:
- Wearing gloves or using stickers to cover nails
- Identifying triggers and finding alternative coping mechanisms
- Keeping hands and mouth busy with other activities, such as chewing gum or fiddling with a stress ball
- Setting small goals, such as choosing one nail to avoid biting and gradually adding more
- Cutting nails short so they are harder to bite
- Using nail polishes with a bitter taste
- Using dental deterrent devices that prevent the front teeth from damaging the nails
- In some cases, medication such as N-acetylcysteine may be effective in reducing nail-biting behaviour in the short term
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Nail health and diet
Tapping your nails on a table will not make them grow. However, there are several other ways to improve nail health and stimulate growth.
Firstly, hydration is essential for nail health. Nails that take longer than half a second to regain their colour after being pressed on may indicate dehydration. Water aids in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the cells, so drinking water and consuming hydrating liquids and foods throughout the day is important for nail health.
Secondly, consuming a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients is crucial for growing and maintaining healthy nails. Biotin supplements are the only type of supplement shown to have a positive effect on nail health. Biotin can also be consumed through food. It is most concentrated in organ meats, egg yolks, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and cauliflower. Vitamin B12, found in salmon, meat, and dairy products, is necessary for keeping nails strong and healthy. A deficiency can result in discoloured nails. Vitamin D, found in eggs and salmon, is also important for nail health, as a deficiency can cause dry and brittle nails.
In addition to vitamins, consuming adequate protein and omega-3 fatty acids is important for nail health. Nails are made of the protein keratin, so a diet that includes plenty of protein, such as red meat, can help nails grow and maintain their strength. Animal proteins like beef, poultry, fish, and eggs are also rich sources of zinc, which is required for the healthy growth of nails. However, there are plant-based sources of protein and zinc as well, such as quinoa, nuts, soy, chickpeas, black beans, and seeds.
Finally, consuming certain fruits and vegetables can also improve nail health. Orange and yellow veggies like carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, which can help keep nails shiny and avoid dryness. Dark, leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, kale, and collard greens can also boost nail health as they contain calcium, iron, and antioxidants.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no scientific evidence that tapping your nails on a table makes them grow. In fact, Doug Schoon, author of Nail Structure and Product Chemistry, refutes this claim by saying that if it were true, all piano players would have long and strong nails.
To grow nails longer and stronger, it is important to maintain and hydrate your cuticles. Cuticles act as a seal and a barrier, keeping in hydration and preventing infections.
Daily wear and tear lead to hangnails and snags, and gel manicures can weaken nails over time. Biting your nails can also damage them and hinder their growth.
Maintaining a balanced diet can help improve nail health. Dr. Adigun suggests increasing your intake of protein, biotin, zinc, and iron.
No, nail hardeners can actually do more harm than good. These products can make nails too hard, causing them to crack and break easily.
