Beautiful, Healthy Nails: Tips For Strong, Gorgeous Fingers

Long, beautiful nails are a dream for many, but achieving this can be challenging if your nails are weak or brittle. While there is no scientifically proven method to make nails grow faster, there are several ways to strengthen your nails and help them grow strong and long over time. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, keeping your nails clean and dry, using the correct tools to trim your nails, and moisturising your hands and nails.

Consume vitamins and minerals

Consuming vitamins and minerals is essential for maintaining nail health. Nutrient deficiencies can affect fingernail growth and strength, and changes in the appearance, texture, or shape of your nails could indicate these deficiencies.

Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which helps provide strength and integrity to your nails. It also helps in the production of collagen, which is what keeps them strong and growing at a faster rate. Foods such as oranges, strawberries, and spinach are rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin B comes in a number of forms that are beneficial for nail health. Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, promotes healthy cell growth and aids in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids that are essential for nail growth. It can be found in eggs, meat, fish, seeds, nuts, and beans. Vitamin B12 helps with proper iron absorption and ensures healthy blood flow to the nail beds. It is mainly found in meat and dairy products.

Vitamin E is an ultra-hydrating oil that helps heal and promote new nail growth. It provides hydration to the nail beds and the skin around the nails, caring for brittle nails. Its antioxidant properties also help decrease nail yellowing.

Vitamin D can strengthen the nails, encourage growth, and decrease weak peeling nails. It also regulates calcium levels, helping your nails grow strong. Vitamin D can be found in eggs.

Minerals are also important for nail health. Zinc is required for the healthy growth and division of cells, including nail cells, which grow and divide rapidly. Animal proteins like beef, poultry, fish, and eggs are rich sources of zinc. Iron is another essential mineral, as it provides cells with adequate oxygen, which is necessary for healthy nails. Iron-rich foods include fortified breakfast cereals, oysters, white beans, dark chocolate, and beef liver.

In addition to specific vitamins and minerals, consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as well as adequate protein and omega-3 fatty acids, will contribute to growing and maintaining healthy nails.

Moisturise hands and nails

Moisturising your hands and nails is an important step in achieving beautiful nails. It helps to keep your hands looking soft, young, and healthy, and prevents your nails from becoming brittle.

There are several ways to moisturise your hands and nails. One popular method is to apply a moisturising cream or hand balm to your nails and hands daily. Look for products that contain urea, phospholipids, or lactic acid to help prevent cracking. You can also try natural oils, such as coconut oil, which is a classic hydrating beauty staple that helps to lock in moisture. Apply coconut oil once or twice a day to your hands, cuticles, and nails to keep them moisturised. Other natural oils you can use include jojoba oil and olive oil.

If your nails are weak or ridged, consider using a ridge filler base coat before applying nail polish. This will temporarily fill in any ridges and create a smooth surface for polish application. Additionally, you can try nail slugging, which involves applying moisturising products to your hands and then sealing them with an emollient to maximise absorption.

To protect your hands and nails from the elements, wear gloves when doing tasks that involve water, such as washing dishes or cleaning. Constant exposure to water can cause your nails to expand and contract, leading to weakness and brittleness. After washing your hands or bathing, be sure to moisturise your skin and nails as soon as possible to lock in moisture.

By incorporating these moisturising techniques into your hand and nail care routine, you can help to improve the health and appearance of your nails, leaving them looking and feeling beautiful.

Avoid nail biting

Beautiful, healthy nails are an indicator of overall health and nutrition. To grow strong and healthy nails, it's important to eat a well-balanced diet and take good care of your nails.

Nail biting is a common issue that can hinder nail growth and even lead to infections. It can also make the skin around your nails sore and damage the tissue that makes nails grow, resulting in abnormally shaped nails. Here are some tips to help you stop biting your nails:

Identify triggers

Nail biting falls under a list of behaviours known as body-focused repetitive disorders (BFRDs). These are habits that can cause harm when done frequently. Identifying your triggers can help you manage and avoid nail biting. Triggers can be sensory, cognitive, motor, or setting-based. For example, certain tastes, sights, or sounds may trigger the urge to bite your nails.

Keep nails trimmed and maintained

Dermatologists recommend keeping your nails trimmed and short to prevent nail biting. This can be achieved by using sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim your nails straight across and then rounding the tips into a soft curve. Maintaining your nails and cuticles can help prevent the urge to bite or pick at them.

Apply bitter nail polish

Bitter-tasting nail polishes are available as a nail-biting deterrent. These products leave a bitter taste in your mouth, discouraging nail biting. They are often formulated to be quick-drying, discreet, and easy to apply, making them convenient for everyday use.

Use alternative tools

If you find yourself biting your nails due to hangnails or uneven edges, keep nail files and clippers readily available. This way, you can quickly address any imperfections without using your teeth.

Consult a dermatologist

If you are facing difficulty in stopping nail biting or have developed a skin or nail infection, consider consulting a board-certified dermatologist. They can provide personalized advice and recommendations to help you overcome this habit and maintain healthy nails.

Trim nails correctly

Trimming your nails is an important part of your hygiene routine. It keeps your nails clean and prevents them from snagging and breaking. Here are some tips to trim your nails correctly:

Prepare the nails for cutting

The best time to trim your nails is right after a shower or bath when your nails are softer. If you have thicker nails, it may be easier to cut them then. However, if you have brittle nails, cutting them when they are soft may make things worse. If you are unable to shower or bathe beforehand, you can soak your nails in lukewarm water for a few minutes to soften them.

Gather the proper tools

Use nail clippers or nail scissors for your fingernails and a toenail clipper for your toenails. Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails, so you may not need to trim them as often. Fingernail clippers usually have a rounded blade, so you need to cut the nails at an angle. Toenails, on the other hand, should be cut straight across to prevent ingrowth.

Cut nails straight across

Cut your nails straight across with multiple cuts, leaving at least a sliver of white at the top. Avoid cutting your nails into a "V" shape or rounding off the edges. Cutting straight across helps prevent ingrown toenails, which can be painful and sometimes lead to infection.

File your nails

After cutting your nails, use a nail file or emery board to smooth out and shape the nails. File your nails gently, always in the same direction, as filing back and forth can weaken your nails.

Moisturize your nails

Once you're done trimming and filing your nails, apply a moisturizer to help keep your nails flexible. Nails can become easily breakable if they become too dry. Moisturizing your nails is especially important when the air is dry.

Take biotin supplements

While there is no scientifically proven method for making nails grow faster, taking good care of your body through proper nutrition and certain home remedies can help strengthen your nails and promote their growth.

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an essential nutrient that supports your metabolism and plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, nails, and hair. It is a type of B vitamin that helps the body convert food into energy. Biotin deficiency is rare, and most people get adequate biotin through their diet. Foods such as liver, eggs, salmon, pork, nuts, and seeds are good sources of biotin.

However, if you have thinning hair or brittle nails, it could be due to another health condition, such as iron deficiency or a thyroid issue. In such cases, taking a biotin supplement can help boost nail growth and strength. Several human studies suggest that taking a daily biotin supplement can lead to clinical improvements in nail health. For example, a recent Swiss study found a 25% increase in nail plate thickness in patients with brittle nails who took biotin supplements.

Biotin supplements are available in various forms, including pills, nail polish, oil, and cuticle care products. While biotin supplements are generally safe for most people, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen. Additionally, it is important to remember that improving your overall nutrition and incorporating vitamins A, E, and D into your diet can also support nail health and growth.

Frequently asked questions