Isla Bennett
Hair and nails are both made of keratin, a strong protein also found in animal hooves, so it is often assumed that they would grow at the same rate. However, this is not always the case. While hair grows faster than nails, there are instances where individuals experience the opposite. Factors such as genetics, age, hormones, and nutrition influence the growth rates of hair and nails. Additionally, specific micronutrients, vitamins, and amino acids play a crucial role in hair growth, and their absence can hinder it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Hair and nails are made of keratin, a strong protein. |
| Growth | Cells grow out from a matrix, with older cells being pushed out by newer cells. |
| Nutrition | Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamins and minerals, can impact hair and nail growth. |
| Health | The condition of hair and nails can indicate overall health, with diseases and deficiencies causing hair loss and nail changes. |
| Age | Ageing can cause hair colour changes and hair loss, as well as slower nail growth and changes in nail appearance. |
| Supplements | Consuming specific vitamins and minerals can promote hair and nail growth. |
| Thyroid | A healthy thyroid is associated with healthy nails and hair growth. |
| Stress | High amounts of stress can lead to increased production of cortisol, potentially affecting hair and nail health. |
| Liver function | A congested liver may release toxins through the skin, impacting hair and nail health. |
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What You'll Learn
Nutrition and micronutrients
The health of hair and nails is often an indicator of nutritional intake. Nutritional deficiencies can affect nail growth and strength, and hair loss. A diet rich in healthy fats, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will provide the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary for nail and hair health.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is important for promoting healthy cell growth and aiding in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids that are essential for nail growth. Biotin-rich foods include eggs, beans, legumes, and tofu. Vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9) are also important for nail growth and health, and a deficiency can cause pigment changes and brittle nails.
Zinc is another essential micronutrient that can affect hair, skin, and nail health. It enables growth by catalyzing enzymes, enabling gene expression, and the folding of proteins. A zinc deficiency can slow down nail growth and increase their fragility. Foods rich in zinc include whole grains, poultry, beans, and beef.
Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, which is a protein that gives shape, strength, and integrity to tissues and is the building block of fingernails, hair, and teeth. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, green vegetables, and tomatoes are good sources of vitamin C.
In addition to these specific vitamins and minerals, maintaining a balanced diet with a variety of whole foods is key to ensuring adequate nutritional intake for nail and hair health.
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Triage Theory
The theory emphasizes the importance of obtaining a diverse range of quality micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. By ensuring an abundance of these vital nutrients, the body may have sufficient resources to allocate some towards hair growth and skin regeneration.
Additionally, Triage Theory aligns with the concept of overall health influencing hair and nail growth. Nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, and age-related metabolic changes can impact growth rates. Genetics also play a significant role, with family members often exhibiting similar hair and nail growth patterns.
To support hair and nail growth, Triage Theory suggests adopting a holistic approach. This includes consuming a variety of superfoods, organic produce, and supplements while also prioritizing a healthy plant-based diet and lifestyle habits such as exercise. By addressing overall health and ensuring a diverse range of nutrients, individuals may be able to promote hair and nail growth effectively.
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Ageing
Hair and nails are made of the same material, a strong protein called keratin, so it is natural to assume that they would grow at the same rate. However, hair grows faster than nails. Both hair and nails have living parts beneath the skin, but the living parts are different. Hair grows out from a hair follicle, while nails grow out from a nail bed or nail plate. Cells grow out from the matrix, and older cells are pushed out by newer cells growing in. As the older cells are further removed from their blood supply, they form keratin proteins and harden into hair fibres or nails.
Hair and nails are affected by the ageing process. Hair colour change is one of the clearest signs of ageing. Hair colour is due to a pigment called melanin, which hair follicles produce. With ageing, the follicles make less melanin, causing hair to turn grey and eventually white. Grey hair often starts in a person's 30s at the temples, extending to the top of the scalp. Body and facial hair also turn grey, but this usually happens later. Hair in the armpit, chest, and pubic area may not grey at all. The timing of grey hair is largely determined by genetics and varies across ethnicities.
The coarse hair of young adults eventually becomes thin, fine, and light-coloured. Many hair follicles stop producing new hairs, leading to baldness. Men may start showing signs of baldness by 30 and are often nearly bald by 60. Baldness in men is often related to the male hormone testosterone and occurs at the temples or the top of the head. Women can also experience baldness as they age, known as female-pattern baldness, with hair becoming less dense and the scalp becoming visible. Additionally, women's remaining facial hair may become coarser, especially on the chin and around the lips. Meanwhile, men may experience longer and coarser eyebrow, ear, and nose hair.
Nails also change with age. They grow more slowly and may become brittle, dull, and prone to breaking. Repeated wetting and drying or exposure to harsh chemicals can worsen this problem. Nails may also become yellowed and opaque, with the colour changing from translucent to yellow. Toenails, in particular, may become hard and thick, and ingrown toenails may be more common. Lengthwise ridges may develop in both fingernails and toenails. These changes in nails can be related to iron deficiency, kidney disease, or nutritional deficiencies.
Fungal infections, which are common in older people, can cause nail thickening and discolouration. Toenails are especially vulnerable due to the warm, moist environment created by shoes. Dramatic shape changes, such as very rounded nails, can indicate long-term oxygen deprivation and underlying health issues.
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Thyroid function
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones, which play a key role in regulating heartbeat, breathing, and many other functions. Thyroid hormones are essential for hair follicle development and maintenance. They also play an important role in nail growth, strength, and thickness by stimulating growth-promoting nail cells to differentiate into specialized structures.
Thyroid disorders can cause hair and nail growth abnormalities. For instance, hypothyroidism can cause brittle and dry nails that may break easily. The nails may turn yellowish or have ridges, and nail growth may slow down due to a reduced rate of cell turnover. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism can lead to thin and brittle nails and may be associated with Plummer’s nails or onycholysis, where the nail bed and nail body separate.
In women, a decrease in globulin production from the thyroid gland can cause hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth) on the upper lip, chin, cheeks, and inner thighs. Globulin binds to sex hormones, and a decrease in its production may alter the balance of male and female hormones.
Managing thyroid disorders involves regulating hormone levels and supporting healthy hair growth. A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can support thyroid function and healthy hair and nail growth. Adequate iodine intake, through sources like iodized salt, dairy, and seafood, is important for thyroid function. Minerals like selenium, zinc, and biotin, found in nuts, seeds, eggs, and whole grains, also contribute to hair, skin, and nail health. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts are beneficial as well.
Exercise can be challenging for those with thyroid conditions, but it can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall health, which includes hair and nail health.
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Disease and medication
Nails and hair can be affected by diseases and medical conditions. For example, alopecia, an autoimmune disease, causes hair loss. Alopecia areata is a specific type of alopecia where hair falls out in clumps, often in quarter-sized patches. Alopecia is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, or topical drugs like Minoxidil.
Nails can also be affected by diseases. For example, onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the nails, causing discolouration, thickening, and pain. Pitting, or tiny dents, in the nails may be a sign of an underlying condition such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or alopecia areata.
In some cases, diseases can affect both nails and hair. For instance, ringworm is an infection caused by a fungus that develops on the scalp, resulting in hair loss and brittle hair. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause hair loss and dandruff. Peladia is an autoimmune disease that can affect the nails or hair, leading to alopecia in patches when it impacts hair growth.
Additionally, certain medications can impact nail health. For instance, white spots on nails can be caused by an allergy to products such as nail polish remover.
Furthermore, changes in nail and hair growth can sometimes indicate an underlying condition. For example, complex regional pain syndrome is a severe condition affecting the limbs, which can cause hair loss and nail growth changes. In some cases, these changes may be due to the brain not receiving normal information from the limb, resulting in overcompensation in blood flow and subsequent changes in temperature, nail growth, and hair growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Hair growth and health rely on specific micronutrients and amino acids such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and K, zinc, selenium, and sulfur. A lack of nutrition could be the reason for your hair not growing.
Genetics, age, and hormones can also affect hair growth. Younger people generally have faster growth rates due to a slower metabolism and cell division associated with ageing.
Superfoods such as ashwaghanda, bhringraj, nettle, and green tea support hair growth and general health. Eating a healthy plant-based diet and taking supplements with a variety of nutrients can also help ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals.
Hair and nails are made of the same material, keratin, so it is assumed they would grow at the same rate. However, hair grows about four times faster than nails.
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