Noah Sinclair
Long, healthy nails are an indicator of good overall health. To grow your nails, you need to ensure they are strong and well-maintained. This involves keeping them dry and clean, using a gentle nail file, and regularly moisturising your hands and nails with a lotion or oil. You should also take care of your body by eating a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail products | Nail strengthener, cuticle remover, nail oil, base coat, hand cream, nail hardeners, cuticle oil, gel nail polish, Builder in a Bottle (BIAB) |
| Actions | Wear gloves when cleaning, washing dishes, or showering, moisturize regularly, use a glass nail file, don't use nails to open things, keep nails painted, massage nails when applying product |
| Other | Prenatal vitamins, hair, skin, and nails vitamins, nail-biting |
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What You'll Learn
Use nail strengtheners and cuticle oil
Using nail strengtheners and cuticle oils can be an effective way to grow your nails long. Cuticle oil can increase circulation around your nails, stimulating nail growth. It can also help protect your nails and cuticles from trauma and improve their health and appearance. Dab a few drops of cuticle oil onto your cuticles and massage it in for a few minutes. You can also purchase cuticle oil that contains vitamins or antioxidants. For example, Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream includes Vitamin E and antioxidants, while Opi Avoplex Nail & Cuticle Replenishing Oil contains Vitamin E and has a brush application.
Nail strengtheners can also help heal and condition the nail's surface, reducing white marks and ridges. For example, Olive & June's Nail Strengthener contains plant-based ingredients such as celery seed extract, and dries quickly. Another option is the CND RescueRXx Daily Keratin Treatment, which is brushed on and then massaged in, resulting in minimal drying time.
For best results, use a nail strengthener once a week and complement it with a daily application of cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated. If you are dealing with severely damaged nails, consult a doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.
In addition to using nail strengtheners and cuticle oils, it is important to take other measures to support nail health. This includes wearing gloves when cleaning or washing dishes to minimize water exposure, which can be damaging to nails. Regularly filing your nails with a glass nail file can also help, as can refraining from using your nails to open things.
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Moisturise your hands and nails
Moisturising your hands and nails is essential for achieving long nails. Dry, cracked skin and cuticles can lead to infection or weak nail growth, so it is important to keep them well-hydrated and supple.
There are many products available to help with this. You can use a nourishing and hydrating hand cream to keep your skin soft and protect your hands and nails from environmental stressors, such as cold weather. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Hand Cream is a good option if you want fast hydration without the sticky feel. For very dry hands, a hand lotion like L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream will leave your hands feeling silky soft for hours, even after washing them.
Cuticle oils are also highly recommended for nail growth. These can be applied directly to the cuticle and under the nail tips. A single drop on each cuticle is enough, and it is best to apply it at night to allow the oil time to absorb. Oils such as jojoba oil or another natural plant oil will help to repair and strengthen the skin barrier. Dr Dana's Nourishing Cuticle Oil, which contains jojoba oil and indigo naturalis, is a good choice. Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil is another effective and affordable option, containing moisturising vitamin E and nourishing plant oils.
Applying a base coat of polish will also help to keep your nails protected and prevent water from getting into them.
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Avoid water exposure
Water is the worst possible chemical for your nails. Avoid exposing your nails to water as much as possible. Wear gloves when cleaning, doing the dishes, and even in the shower if you're trying to keep your nails in top condition. It is still important to wash your hands, but you should not soak your hands or nails in water. If you need to soften your cuticles, use a cuticle remover instead.
To prevent water from getting into your nails, you can apply nail polish. Even if you don't want to wear coloured polish, a base coat can help. This, in combination with well-hydrated nails, will help to keep your nails protected. You can use jojoba oil or another nail oil to keep your nails hydrated.
You can also use a base coat on the underside of your nails to prevent water from getting into them. This is especially helpful if your nails are long enough for the base coat to be applied. Keeping your nails painted with regular polish can also make a difference in protecting your nails.
If you are filing your nails, use a glass file as they never dull, and the grit is fine enough that it won't damage your nails.
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Take prenatal vitamins
Taking prenatal vitamins is a popular piece of advice for those wanting longer nails. Prenatal vitamins are formulated with ingredients to support healthy fetal development. They are often recommended for anyone who could become pregnant, as they play a crucial role in supporting early fetal development.
Prenatal vitamins typically contain more biotin than regular vitamins. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, supports the body's metabolism and keratin production. Keratin is the primary protein that makes up our hair, skin, and nails, so biotin is often advertised as a vitamin that can support nail health.
However, there is no scientific evidence that prenatal vitamins help nails grow. In fact, when not pregnant, prenatal vitamins can increase the risk of developing certain health problems, such as iron toxicity and digestive issues. Doctors recommend that anyone who could become pregnant take prenatal vitamins, but this is due to their role in supporting fetal development rather than any impact on nail growth.
While prenatal vitamins may not directly impact nail growth, maintaining a balanced and nutrient-rich diet is essential for long-term nail health. A nutrient-rich diet will always be beneficial for healthy nails.
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File nails with a glass nail file
Glass nail files, invented in 1997 in the Czech Republic, are made of hardened Bohemian glass, making them tempered and resistant to breaks. They are a popular alternative to emery boards, metal, and ceramic files, and are especially useful for those with thin, weak, or brittle nails.
Glass nail files are chemically etched into a finely-grained design, offering a gentle grit. This is in contrast to traditional emery boards, which are made of cardboard with strips of emery paper attached, making them very coarse. The coarseness of emery boards can cause microscopic tears at the nail's tip, leading to significant damage and making nails more prone to peeling and chipping. Glass nail files, on the other hand, create a smooth edge without causing any damage due to their fine surface and gentle grit. This makes them ideal for those with weak or brittle nails, as they reduce splitting and breakage.
When filing your nails with a glass nail file, it is important to maintain cleanliness. Glass nail files can easily be cleaned and sanitized after each use, which is important for maintaining healthy nails. Simply wash the file with soap and warm water, and run an alcohol swab over both sides. You can also disinfect them with an alcohol wipe.
While glass nail files are a great option for natural nails, they may not be strong enough for shaping thick nails or removing gels. In those cases, a traditional nail file or emery board would be a better option. Additionally, glass nail files may not be the best choice if you are short on time, as they are typically slower to shape with than traditional files.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to help your nails grow long. Firstly, you should keep them dry and clean to prevent bacteria from growing beneath them. You should also use cuticle oil regularly to keep your nails hydrated, flexible, and strong. Taking a keratin supplement or applying it topically may also help build strength. Maintaining a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins can contribute to healthier nail growth. Lastly, you should keep your nails filed and smooth to reduce the risk of breakage.
You can use a variety of oils to keep your nails hydrated, such as coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, or jojoba oil.
Foods that are rich in protein, biotin, iron, and other essential vitamins and minerals can support nail health. Some examples include eggs, lean meats, fish, beans, nuts, and leafy greens.
You can use nail strengtheners or hardeners to protect and fortify your nails, reducing the chances of breakage. You can also try using a builder gel, which adds a protective layer to prevent chipping and breaking.
You should avoid excessive buffing or filing as it can thin out your nails. Instead, use a gentle nail file sparingly and only when necessary to maintain their shape.
