Ava Monroe
Fingernails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also responsible for the creation of hair and the top layer of skin. They grow at an average rate of 3.5mm per month, or about a tenth of a millimeter per day. This growth rate varies depending on age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. For example, the growth rate is higher in the summer than in the winter, and it tends to decrease with age. While it may be tempting to bite your nails, this can lead to infections and is not recommended. Instead, regular clipping is a safer way to maintain your nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate of fingernails | 3.47-3.5 mm per month or about a tenth of a millimeter per day |
| Toenail growth rate | Half of the rate of fingernails |
| Factors affecting nail growth | Age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, hereditary factors, hand dominance, finger length, trauma, hormone levels, overall health |
| Nail growth and health | Nail growth record can indicate recent health and physiological imbalances |
| Nail composition | Nails are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up hair and skin |
| Nail parts | Nail plate, nail folds, lunula, nail root, nail bed, nail sinus |
| Nail function | Protecting the fingertip and soft tissues from injuries, enhancing precise delicate movements, acting as a tool for extended precision grip and certain cutting or scraping actions |
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What You'll Learn
Factors affecting nail growth rate
Fingernails grow on average about a tenth of a millimeter per day, or around 3.5 mm per month. However, this rate can vary due to several factors.
Age
Nail growth tends to slow down as people age. Children around the age of 10 often experience more rapid nail growth than adults. A 2007 study found that the little finger's nail grows slower than other fingernails.
Gender
Men's nails tend to grow quicker than women's.
Health and Diet
A healthy diet can contribute to faster and stronger nail growth. Nails can be affected by malnutrition or a lack of essential vitamins, proteins, or minerals. Illness can also slow down nail growth as the body focuses on recovery.
Hormones
Hormone levels can influence nail growth. For example, pregnancy can increase hormone production, leading to faster nail growth. On the other hand, puberty and lactation can cause fluctuations in hormone levels, resulting in varying nail growth rates.
Medication
Certain medications can impact nail growth. For instance, chemotherapy medication can significantly affect nail growth rate.
Season and Climate
Nail growth is influenced by the time of year and climate. Nails tend to grow faster during the summer due to increased water intake and slower in winter due to reduced circulation.
Finger and Hand
The rate of nail growth also depends on which finger the nail is on and whether it is on the dominant hand. Nails on the dominant hand and longer fingers tend to grow faster.
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Nail growth and nutrition
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about a tenth of a millimeter per day or approximately 3.47 millimeters per month. Toenails, on the other hand, grow much slower, at an average rate of 1.62 millimeters per month. Nails grow from the nail root, which is hidden under the cuticle, and are made of keratin, a strong substance that also comprises hair.
- Biotin: A deficiency in biotin can lead to brittle nails. Foods such as eggs, nuts, and fortified cereals are good sources of biotin.
- Zinc: Zinc is required for the healthy growth and division of nail cells. Animal proteins like beef, poultry, fish, and eggs are rich sources of zinc, but it can also be found in plant foods like soy, chickpeas, black beans, nuts, and seeds.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which helps provide strength and integrity to nails.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in protein synthesis, which is necessary for nail growth. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to vertical ridges in the nails. Whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds are good sources of magnesium.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps keep nails shiny and strong. Orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers are rich in beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body.
- Vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9): These vitamins are important for nail growth and health by contributing to red blood cell formation and new cell development. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause changes in nail pigmentation, while a deficiency in folate can make nails rigid and brittle.
In addition to consuming these nutrients, maintaining good nail hygiene and moisturising nails and cuticles regularly can also promote nail health. While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, a well-balanced diet and proper nail care can help strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking.
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Nails and injuries
Nails are made of a strong substance called keratin, which is also responsible for creating hair and the top layer of skin. The fingernail and toenail have five parts: the nail plate, the nail bed, the eponychium (cuticle), the nail matrix, and the nail folds. The nail plate is the hard, visible part of the nail, while the nail bed is the flat surface underneath the nail plate that gives nails their pink colour. The cuticle and lateral nail folds (raised skin on the sides of the nail) are also part of the nail unit.
Nail injuries are common and can occur when a heavy object crushes or hits the fingers or toes, or when a sharp object pierces the nail. There are five categories of nail injuries, which can occur alone or in combination. These include:
Subungual Hematoma (Nail Bruise)
This is a collection of blood under the nail, usually appearing red or purple-black and fading to blue over time. It is often caused by a heavy impact to the fingers or toes, and can be very painful. Minor nail bruises often heal on their own, but for larger bruises, a doctor may create a small hole in the nail to drain the blood and relieve pressure and pain.
Nail Laceration
A nail laceration refers to a cut through the nail plate, the nail bed, the cuticle, the lateral nail folds, or any combination of these. Lacerations always result in bleeding and may require stitches.
Fingertip Amputation
This occurs when a portion of the fingertip, including part or all of the nail, is removed from the rest of the finger.
Nail Avulsion
This involves the nail and part of the nail bed pulling away from the rest of the nail bed, either partially or entirely. This can be caused by a high-impact injury or when the nail is crushed. Avulsions can be extremely painful and may require medical attention.
Treatment for nail injuries depends on the type and severity of the injury. Minor injuries, such as small nail bruises, can often be managed at home with rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain medication. However, more serious injuries, such as lacerations, amputations, or avulsions, may require a trip to the emergency department. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the nail bed and matrix, and antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. It is important to seek medical attention for any nail injury that involves a cut or amputation, as these injuries can be complex and may result in permanent deformity even with proper repair.
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Nail growth and age
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about a tenth of a millimeter per day, or 3.47 millimeters per month. Toenails, on the other hand, grow much slower, at an average rate of 1.62 millimeters per month. The rate of nail growth is influenced by various factors, including age, with nail growth tending to decrease as a person gets older.
The growth rate of nails can be affected by factors such as the hand and finger on which the nail is located, with nails on the dominant hand and longer fingers growing faster. Additionally, nails grow faster during the day and in the summer. Individual factors such as hormone levels, overall health, and blood circulation also play a role in nail growth rates. For example, nail growth is said to peak during puberty and decline as hormone levels balance out with age. Furthermore, conditions like anemia, hardening of the arteries, and hormonal problems can cause changes in nail texture as people age.
The shape, thickness, texture, and color of nails can also change with age. Nails may become more brittle and prone to breaking as blood circulation slows down. Repeated wetting and drying, as well as exposure to harsh chemicals or cosmetics, can exacerbate these issues. In addition, toenails are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, which are common in older individuals, due to the warm and moist environment created by shoes.
While nail growth rates generally slow down with age, certain factors can accelerate nail growth. Trauma to the nail, such as nail biting or clipping, can stimulate circulation in the nail bed and promote faster growth. Additionally, an influx of nutrients to the nail area, as a natural response to trauma, may also contribute to accelerated nail growth.
Although there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, maintaining good nail hygiene and overall health can positively impact nail growth. If you notice any unusual changes in your nail growth or discoloration, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying nutritional deficiencies or health conditions.
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Longest fingernails on record
Fingernails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also responsible for creating hair and the top layer of skin. The average person's fingernails grow about 3 millimetres a month, or about a tenth of a millimetre per day. However, certain factors can influence this rate of growth, including age, hormone levels, health, and nutrition. Toenails, for instance, grow much slower than fingernails, at an average rate of 1.62 mm per month.
While most people keep their nails neatly trimmed and filed, some have taken the pursuit of nail growth to extraordinary lengths. The record for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female) was held by Lee Redmond of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, for 30 years, from 1979 to 2009. At their peak in 2008, her nails measured a total of 8.65 metres (28 feet 4 inches) in length, with her right thumb measuring a staggering 90 cm (2 feet 11 inches) on its own.
In 2003, Guinness World Records officially recognised Redmond's nails, which at the time had a total length of 7 metres 51.3 cm (24 feet 7.8 inches). Redmond spent hours treating her nails with warm olive oil and applied a bottle and a half of nail hardener to each fingernail every day. She then covered them in a striking gold paint, which became iconic in her Guinness World Records photoshoots.
In 2022, Diana Armstrong from Minnesota, USA, broke Redmond's record with her fingernails measuring a total of 1,306.58 cm (42 feet 10.4 inches). Armstrong's right thumbnail is the longest of all her nails, at 138.94 cm (4 feet 6.7 inches). Her shortest nail, her left pinky fingernail, measures 109.2 cm (3 feet 7 inches). Armstrong has been growing her nails for over 25 years and has no intention of cutting them.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails start in the nail root, hidden under the cuticle. The cuticle helps protect new nails as they grow out from the root and along the nail bed. The nail bed is the flat surface under your nails, which sits on top of tiny blood vessels that feed the nail and give it its pink colour. Nails grow slowly, at a rate of about one-tenth of an inch (2.5 to 3.5mm) each month.
The rate of nail growth depends on several factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. Toenails, for example, grow much slower than fingernails, and the little finger grows slower than other fingers. Nail growth also tends to decrease with age, as blood circulation slows down.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, you can increase the overall health of your nails by taking biotin, moisturising nails and cuticles, and practising good nail hygiene.
If left uncut, nails can grow to be very long. The current Guinness World Record holder for the longest fingernails is Christine "The Dutchess" Walton, whose nails measured a total of 19 feet 9 inches.
