Isla Bennett
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about a tenth of a millimeter per day, or 3.47 millimeters per month. The thumb nail, however, may grow at a different rate than the other fingernails due to various factors such as age, hand dominance, season, and overall health. For example, the nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster, and nail growth is generally faster during the day and in the summer. Additionally, nail growth slows down with age, with hormone changes, and during periods of illness or recovery. If a thumbnail is lost or detached, it typically takes about four to six months to regrow, though this can vary depending on the extent of the injury and the presence of any complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate of fingernails | 3.47 mm per month or 0.1 mm per day |
| Average growth rate of thumbnails | 0.123 mm per day at 23 years of age and 0.095 mm per day at 67 years of age |
| Average growth rate of toenails | 1.62 mm per month |
| Time taken for a fingernail to regrow | 3-6 months |
| Time taken for a toenail to regrow | Up to 1.5 years |
| Factors affecting nail growth rate | Hand (left or right), finger length, age, hormone levels, overall health, genetics, nutrition, and season |
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What You'll Learn
Thumbnail growth rate
The growth rate of thumbnails varies depending on several factors, including age, gender, genetics, hormones, and overall health. On average, thumbnails grow at a rate of about 0.1 mm per day or approximately 3.47 mm per month. This is equivalent to about a tenth of a millimeter per day or a bit more than one-tenth of an inch per month.
It is important to note that nail growth rates can differ between individuals and even between nails on the same hand. For example, a 2007 study found that the little finger's fingernail grew slower than the other fingernails. Additionally, the nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster. Toenails, in general, grow at a slower rate than fingernails, with an average growth rate of about 1.62 mm per month.
Age also plays a significant role in nail growth rates. As people age, their nail growth tends to slow down. For example, Dr. William Bean observed that his left thumbnail growth rate decreased from 0.123 mm per day at age 23 to 0.095 mm per day at age 67. This slowdown in nail growth with age may be attributed to a decrease in blood circulation and changing hormone levels over time.
Hormone levels can also influence nail growth rates, with pregnancy and puberty being associated with rapid nail growth due to fluctuating hormone levels. On the other hand, lactation may lead to a decrease in nail growth rates. Overall health and nutrition also play a role in nail growth, with nutrient deficiencies and certain medical conditions potentially impacting nail growth rates.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, maintaining overall health and well-being can support optimal nail growth. This includes practicing good nutrition, taking supplements like biotin, and addressing any nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, regular nail clipping and proper nail care can help promote nail health and maintain strong nails as they grow.
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Factors affecting nail growth
Fingernails and toenails are formed in the nail matrix, which is located underneath the skin at the base of the nail. While the average rate of fingernail growth is faster than that of toenails, there are several factors that influence the rate of nail growth.
Age
The rate of linear nail growth decreases by 50% over the life spans of humans. As you get older, nail growth slows down. For example, at age 23, Dr. William Bean observed that his left thumbnail grew at a rate of 0.123 mm per day. By the time he reached 67, this rate had dropped to 0.095 mm per day.
Gender
Men's nails tend to grow quicker than women's.
Hand and Finger
The nails on your dominant hand grow faster than the rest, as do the nails on your longer fingers. The nail on the little finger grows slower than other fingernails.
Season and Climate
Nails grow faster during the summer, and in hotter environments.
Health and Hormones
Illness and poor health can slow nail growth as the body uses its available nutrients to combat the disease-causing organism. Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy, can also affect nail growth. Pregnancy speeds up nail growth due to increased hormone production, while lactation decreases nail growth.
Circulation
Poor blood circulation will slow nail growth as the nail won't receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), for example, causes less blood flow to the legs and feet, affecting the nail matrix and slowing nail growth.
Diet and Nutrition
A healthy diet will help nails grow quicker and stronger. Food rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein helps to lengthen nails and keep them in shape. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies can drastically affect nail growth.
Medication
Certain medications can affect the rate of nail growth, making it faster or slower, as well as affecting nail strength and appearance. Chemotherapy medication, for example, can drastically affect nail growth and cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges in your nails) and nail colour changes.
Trauma and Injury
Injuries, such as pinching or crushing your finger or dropping something heavy on your toe, can damage your nail matrix and affect nail growth.
Skin Conditions and Diseases
Certain skin conditions and diseases can affect the nail matrix and nail growth. For example, severe eczema can cause Beau's lines, pitting, and texture or colour changes, while psoriasis can cause white lines, pitting, and crumbling of the nails.
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Nutritional deficiencies
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about a tenth of a millimetre per day, or 3.47 millimetres per month, while toenails grow at an average rate of 1.62 millimetres per month. The rate of growth depends on various factors, including age, hormone levels, and overall health. For instance, nail growth is said to peak during puberty and decline as hormone levels balance out with age.
Nail health is closely associated with overall body functioning and can be an indicator of nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies can produce significant changes in the nail plate, and these changes may be visible through clinical observation or biochemical investigation.
Protein and energy deficiencies can cause nail changes. Kwashiorkor, a nutritional syndrome due to severe protein malnutrition, results in soft and thin nails. Marasmus, caused by prolonged starvation, leads to a 40-50% reduction in body weight and is associated with fissured nails and impaired nail growth. Malnutrition can also cause longitudinal melanonychia, which refers to the blackish discolouration of the nail plate due to increased melanin production in the matrix.
Iron deficiency is associated with spoon nails, where the nail appears concave horizontally or vertically. Iron deficiency can also cause brittle, weak, and peeling nails. Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can affect nail health include biotin, vitamin C, pyridoxine, vitamin D, calcium, and amino acids.
To promote nail health and prevent nutritional deficiencies from affecting nail growth, it is essential to maintain a well-rounded diet and overall good health.
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Nail injuries and infections
The average rate of fingernail growth is about a tenth of a millimetre per day, or 3.47 millimetres per month. Toenails grow at a slower rate, averaging 1.62 millimetres per month. If you lose a fingernail, it may take up to six months to fully regrow. Toenails can take even longer, with regrowth taking up to a year and a half.
Nail injuries can occur when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, or bruised, or when the nail is torn away from the skin. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. For more serious injuries, it is recommended to seek urgent medical attention. Medical professionals will stop any bleeding and clean the wound. They may also numb the affected area before treatment. If there is a large bruise, a small hole may be created in the nail to relieve pressure and drain blood and fluid. If the bone is broken, or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
If a nail injury can be treated at home, it is important to quickly stop any bleeding. Remove any jewellery from the injured hand. If the nail is torn or jagged, trim it to avoid further injury. If the nail has lifted off the nail bed, it may be most comfortable to secure it with a bandage. Nails will not reattach to the nail bed once they have separated. If part of the nail is still attached, it can be left, but the non-adhering portion should be removed. Take prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. Follow any recommendations from your healthcare provider to care for your wound, such as changing dressings and applying antibiotic ointment.
Nail infections, such as paronychia, usually result from bacteria entering the skin through cuts or broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold. People who bite their nails or cuticles, work with chemicals without protective gloves, or have their hands in water frequently are at a higher risk of developing paronychia. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, redness, warmth, and pus buildup under the skin. Paronychia is typically treated with antibiotics. Pus may also be drained, and cultured to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.
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How to make nails grow faster
While it's important to remember that you can't get your nails to magically grow faster, there are several things you can do to help them grow stronger and last longer, making them less prone to breakage.
Firstly, keeping your nails painted can help them grow and prevent you from picking at them. If your polish chips, it's best to remove it immediately and repaint, as leaving it can cause you to pick at the rest of your nails. When removing nail polish, avoid picking at it, as this can damage your nails. Instead, use a peel-off base coat, which doesn't cause any damage to your nail.
It's also important to keep your nails dry and clean to prevent bacteria from growing beneath them. Try to avoid using your nails as tools, for example, when opening things, as this can cause breakage.
You can also try taking supplements to support nail growth. Biotin, also known as Vitamin B, is highly recommended as a supplement to help boost nail strength. Several human studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails, with some scientists saying that a dose of 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily can improve nail strength in just a few weeks. Biotin can be found naturally in food or bought as supplements online.
Another way to help your nails grow is to keep them well-maintained. This includes regularly trimming your nails straight across with sharp manicure scissors or clippers and then using them to round the tips of your nails into a soft curve. Filing your nails can also help keep them free of snags that may catch and cause splitting. Dr Bailey recommends wetting your nails first to "soften the structure and make it pliable" and always filing in one direction with swift, smooth strokes.
Finally, it's important to stick to a healthy diet if you want strong, fast-growing, healthy nails. This includes eating a well-balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, an adequate amount of carbohydrates, and plenty of healthy fats. Drinking enough water is also essential for nail health, as healthy growth won't occur if your body is dehydrated.
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Frequently asked questions
Thumbnails grow at a rate of about 0.1 mm per day, or 3.47 mm per month. It can take up to six months for a thumbnail to completely grow back if it has been lost.
The growth rate of thumbnails can vary depending on age, with nail growth peaking during puberty and declining as hormone levels balance out with age. Additionally, the nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to make thumbnails grow faster, maintaining a well-rounded diet and good overall health can help produce strong nails.
The nails on the little finger grow slower than other fingernails, including thumbnails. The nails on the longest fingers grow the fastest.
If your thumbnails are growing unusually slowly, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. Slow nail growth may be attributed to nutritional deficiencies or underlying health conditions.
