Ava Monroe
Fingernails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. The nail matrix, or the factory where new nails are made, constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. On average, fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 millimetres per month, but this rate can vary depending on age, hormones, and overall health. The growth rate also differs between fingers and toes, and even between individual fingers. Nail growth can be affected by various factors, including injuries, illnesses, and certain medications, and can provide insights into a person's overall health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate | 3-3.5 mm per month |
| Growth rate of toenails | 1.62 mm per month |
| Time taken for a fingernail to grow completely | 6 months |
| Time taken for a toenail to grow completely | 12-18 months |
| Factors influencing growth rate | Age, hormones, habits, health, and nutrition |
| Factors influencing nail appearance and health | Nail structure, skin and structure surrounding the nail |
| Functions | Gripping, scratching, grooming, self-defence, boosting ability to handle objects or feel pressure, and protection against infection |
| Parts of the nail | Nail plate, nail bed, cuticle, paronychium, hyponychium, nail root, nail matrix, lunula, lateral nail fold, proximal nail fold |
| Conditions affecting nail health | Fungal infections, melanoma, eczema, peripheral artery disease, chemotherapy, and other medications |
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What You'll Learn
The nail matrix and how it affects nail growth
The nail matrix is the most important structure within the nail unit and is responsible for nail growth. It creates new cells that become your fingernails or toenails. Located at the base of the nail, the nail matrix determines the thickness, width, and shape of the nail. The longer the nail matrix, the thicker the nail, and vice versa. A larger and wider matrix corresponds to a thicker nail, while a smaller matrix leads to a comparatively thinner nail.
The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix, while the remaining 10% comes from the sterile matrix, which is more important for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. The cuticle, the area of skin where the nail grows out of the finger, provides protection to the nail matrix.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to the nail matrix can temporarily change the nail's appearance. For example, trauma to the nail can cause the production of new nail cells to stop for as long as three weeks. Nail growth will usually resume at a faster rate and stabilise after about 100 days. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes reduced blood flow to the legs and feet, can affect the nail matrix and slow nail growth. Skin conditions such as severe eczema and psoriasis can also affect the nail matrix and cause changes to the nail's appearance.
Fungal infections, illnesses, and medications can also affect the nail matrix. Certain types of fungi can infect the nails, usually the toenails, causing them to appear thick, yellow, cracked, or cloudy. Illnesses such as COVID-19 or pneumonia can interrupt new nail growth and cause horizontal ridges in the nails. Chemotherapy and other medications can cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges), slow nail growth, white bands across the nails, and nail colour changes.
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Factors that influence nail growth rate
Fingernails typically grow at a rate of about 0.1 mm per day or 3.47 mm per month. However, several factors can influence the rate at which nails grow, including:
Handedness
The nails on your dominant hand tend to grow faster than those on your non-dominant hand. This may be because people generally use their dominant hand more, and those who use their hands a lot tend to have faster nail growth.
Finger
The rate of growth also depends on which finger the nail is on. Typically, the little finger's nail grows the slowest, while the longer fingers' nails grow faster.
Age
Nail growth tends to slow down as people age, possibly due to a decrease in blood circulation.
Hormones
Hormone levels can also affect nail growth. For example, women tend to experience faster nail growth during pregnancy and slower growth during lactation. Puberty is also a time when nail growth can be rapid due to fluctuating hormone levels.
Season
Nails grow faster during the summer than in colder months.
Health and medical conditions
Certain health conditions and illnesses can damage the nail matrix and affect nail growth. For example, severe eczema can interfere with nail growth, and diabetes can reduce circulation to the nails, making them weaker. Serious illnesses, such as a heart attack, COVID-19, or pneumonia, can also interrupt nail growth and cause horizontal ridges known as Beau's lines.
Trauma and nail care
Frequent nail clipping and even nail biting can cause nails to grow faster, possibly due to increased circulation in the nail bed. However, it is important to note that nail biting can also lead to infections or permanent damage to the nail and nail bed. Proper nail care, including regular moisturization of the hands and nails, can help improve nail health and promote optimal growth rates.
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Conditions that affect nail growth
Several factors can affect nail growth, including injuries, certain health conditions, medications, and lifestyle habits. Here are some common conditions that can impact nail growth:
Skin Conditions:
Skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, and lupus can affect nail growth. Severe eczema can cause Beau's lines (deep grooves across the nail), pitting, texture changes, and discolouration. Psoriasis can lead to white lines, pitting, and crumbling nails. Lichen planus may result in pits, grooves, or nail crumbling.
Nail Matrix Injuries:
Injuries to the nail matrix, where nail growth occurs, can interfere with nail growth. This can be caused by trauma, such as crushing the base of the nail or chronic picking, resulting in median nail dystrophy. In some cases, severe injuries may cause the nail to fall off, and proper care is needed for the nail matrix to heal and resume growth.
Nutritional Deficiencies:
Iron deficiency is associated with koilonychia, or spoon-shaped nails, which are thin and curved inward. This condition can also be influenced by other factors such as high altitude. Ensuring proper nutrition and addressing any deficiencies can help improve nail health.
Infections:
Nail infections, such as paronychia caused by the yeast-like organism Candida, can impact nail growth. Antifungal or antibacterial medications may be prescribed to treat these infections. Additionally, maintaining proper nail hygiene and avoiding constant moisture exposure can help prevent infections.
Systemic Disorders:
Systemic disorders, such as renal disease, lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or circulation problems, can affect nail growth. These disorders can lead to nail abnormalities, discolouration, thickening, or other changes in nail appearance.
Medications:
Certain medications can also influence nail growth and appearance. For example, antibiotics, anti-malarial drugs, chemotherapy medications, anticoagulants, and beta-blockers may cause discolouration or other nail changes.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you notice any persistent or concerning changes in your nail growth or appearance, as it could indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
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How to promote nail growth
Fingernails are made of a hard protein called keratin and grow at a rate of about 3 to 3.5 millimetres per month. While there is no scientifically proven method to make nails grow faster, there are several ways to strengthen nails and promote healthy growth.
Firstly, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is key to supporting nail growth. This includes consuming adequate protein, water, fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Biotin, a type of B vitamin, is highly recommended as a supplement to boost nail strength and several studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails.
Secondly, proper nail grooming and maintenance can encourage nail growth and reduce breakage. This includes keeping nails dry and clean, trimming nails straight and rounding the tips into a soft curve, and moisturising hands and nails, especially at the cuticles. It is also important to avoid biting nails or cutting them too short.
Additionally, keeping nails painted can help protect them from water and prevent breakage. However, it is important to be cautious with nail hardeners as they can make nails brittle and more prone to breaking. Instead, natural oils like jojoba oil can be used to strengthen nails.
Finally, gentle massage can promote circulation to the nails, which is beneficial for overall nail health and growth.
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The structure of a fingernail
The nail bed is the area under the nail plate, and it determines the thickness of the nail. About 80% of the fingernail arises from the nail root, which determines its length. The eponychium tissue produces the cuticle, which fuses the skin of the finger and the nail plate together, providing a waterproof barrier. The paronychium is the skin that overlaps onto the sides of the nail plate, and it is where conditions such as hangnails, ingrown nails, and paronychia, a skin infection, can occur. The hyponychium is the area between the free edge of the nail plate and the skin of the fingertip, also providing a waterproof barrier.
The nail matrix is made of special cells that produce new keratin, which gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. The matrix controls the curvature of the nail plate, with highly curved fingers having highly curved matrix areas that produce a nail plate with identical curvature. The nail matrix can be damaged by injuries or illnesses, affecting how the nails look or grow. However, with proper treatment and medical care, healthy nails can grow back.
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about 3 to 3.5 millimeters per month, with toenails growing at a slightly slower rate. The rate of nail growth can be influenced by overall health, age, hormones, and habits. Certain medical conditions, such as being immunocompromised, malnourished, or having an infection, can slow down nail growth. Practicing good nail hygiene and eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help promote nail growth and keep nails healthy.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, a healthy person's fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 millimeters per month.
The nail matrix, the only invisible part of which is the lunula (white crescent shape at the base of your nail), produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow.
Nail growth is influenced by a person's overall health, age, hormones, and habits. Certain illnesses and injuries can also affect nail growth.
While there is limited evidence supporting home remedies, eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and practicing good nail hygiene can support nail health and promote growth.
