Caleb Foster
Growing long, strong nails requires patience and dedication. Healthy nails are a result of healthy food habits, so it's important to ensure you're getting enough biotin, protein, zinc, and iron in your diet. Nails are also prone to damage when wet, so it's important to keep your hands moisturized and your nails dry. Manicures can also help revive your nails, and regular filing can help prevent chipping. Taking collagen supplements may also help boost nail growth and reduce brittleness. Finally, if you're a nail biter, there are several ways to break the habit, including using a bitter-tasting nail polish or keeping your hands busy with something else.
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What You'll Learn
Stop nail biting
Growing long nails requires a lot of patience and care. One of the biggest obstacles to achieving this is nail biting. Here are some tips to help you stop biting your nails:
Identify your triggers
Firstly, it's important to identify what causes you to bite your nails. This could be boredom, stress, or anxiety. Knowing your triggers can help you avoid certain situations and develop a plan to stop. For example, if you tend to bite your nails when you're feeling stressed, try to find alternative ways to manage your stress, such as practising mindfulness or deep breathing exercises.
Keep your hands busy
When you feel the urge to bite your nails, try to keep your hands busy with something else. Play with a stress ball or a fidget toy, or even some silly putty. This will help distract your hands and keep them away from your mouth.
Apply bitter-tasting nail polish
There are various over-the-counter nail polishes specifically designed to taste bitter or foul, which many people have found effective in deterring nail biting.
Keep your nails trimmed and well-maintained
Having shorter nails can reduce the temptation to bite them. It's also important to keep your nails and cuticles well-moisturised to prevent dryness and the urge to bite or pick at the skin.
Gradual habit elimination
Some doctors recommend taking a gradual approach to breaking the habit. Start by stopping biting the thumbnails, and once you've succeeded, move on to the pinky nails, pointer nails, or the other hand.
Seek professional help
For some people, nail biting may be a sign of a more serious psychological or emotional issue. If you've tried to quit multiple times without success, consider seeking help from a mental health professional or a support group. Therapy, habit-reversal training, or hypnotherapy can help address any underlying issues and increase your awareness of triggers and urges.
Remember, growing long nails takes time and dedication. Be patient with yourself and don't be afraid to reach out for support.
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Use cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is an important part of any nail-care routine. While it may not directly stimulate nail growth, it can certainly help to keep nails and the skin around them healthy, which in turn encourages growth.
Firstly, cuticle oil strengthens the barrier between the nail and the nail fold (the tissue at the root of the nail where it starts to grow). This helps to keep out bacteria, fungus, and other factors that may hinder nail growth and function.
Cuticle oil is especially beneficial for those with dry or rough cuticles. Keeping cuticles healthy and moisturized is key, as they protect the nail matrix, where the nail is produced. When the cuticle is damaged or removed, it can increase the likelihood of an infection in the nail matrix, which may lead to the growth of an atypical nail, such as one with thin, brittle edges.
To apply cuticle oil, simply dab a few drops onto each cuticle and massage it in for a few minutes. It's best to use a small amount, as most cuticle oils work best in thin layers. Cuticle oils come in a variety of different oils, and you can also purchase one that has added vitamins or antioxidants.
If you're looking for a specific product recommendation, jojoba-based nail oils are highly recommended. This is because jojoba oil has molecules that are similar in size to the sebum (body oil) produced by our bodies, allowing it to penetrate through the nail plate more easily than oils with larger molecules, such as coconut or olive oil. Some popular jojoba-based nail oil brands include Simply Pure from My Bliss Kiss and Cuticle Buddy from Shop NBM. If you're on a budget, pure jojoba oil is also a great option, with brands like Cliganic and Leven Rose offering affordable alternatives.
In addition to using cuticle oil, there are several other things you can do to promote nail growth and health. This includes wearing gloves when doing the dishes or cleaning with strong chemicals, avoiding getting your nails wet, and eating a nutrient-rich diet with foods such as beef liver, eggs, salmon, pork, sunflower seeds, tuna, spinach, almonds, chicken, beans, broccoli, shellfish, cashews, green beans, kale, and beef.
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Eat biotin-rich foods
Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that helps your body convert food into energy. It is found in a variety of foods, including meats, eggs, fish, dairy products, seeds, nuts, and some vegetables.
Biotin-rich foods are important for nail growth because they provide the body with the necessary biotin to support nail health. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle nails that are prone to peeling and breaking. By including more biotin-rich foods in your diet, you can improve the strength and appearance of your nails.
- Beef liver: Organ meats, such as liver, are particularly rich in biotin.
- Eggs: Eggs are a good source of biotin and can help improve nail strength.
- Salmon: Salmon is a biotin-rich food that can contribute to overall nail health.
- Dairy: Dairy products like milk can provide your body with biotin, supporting nail growth.
- Nuts and seeds: Nuts, such as almonds, and seeds, like sunflower seeds, are great sources of biotin.
- Avocado: Avocados are not only delicious but also packed with biotin to promote healthy nails.
- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes provide your body with biotin and other essential nutrients.
In addition to eating biotin-rich foods, you may also consider taking a biotin supplement. While there is limited evidence that biotin supplements improve nail health in individuals without a biotin deficiency, studies have shown that daily biotin supplementation can strengthen nails and improve growth. It is always recommended to speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement.
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File nails correctly
Filing your nails is an essential step in keeping them healthy and strong. It is also a great way to achieve your desired nail shape. Here is a step-by-step guide to filing your nails correctly:
Prepare your nails and choose your tools:
Before you begin filing, it is important to ensure your nails are clean and prepared. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, paying extra attention to your nails and the area underneath them. After cleansing your hands, gather your tools. You will need fingernail clippers or scissors to trim your nails to the desired length, and a nail file. There are different types of nail files available, such as emery boards, crystal files, and glass nail files. Glass nail files are known to be gentle on the nails and long-lasting.
Determine your nail shape:
The shape of your nails is largely determined by the shape of your cuticle and nail bed. It is recommended to work with your natural nail shape, as this is often the most flattering and easy to maintain. Common natural nail shapes include round and square. If you wish to experiment with different shapes, you can try square, squoval (between oval and square), almond, coffin, or stiletto.
File in one direction:
When filing your nails, it is important to avoid the ""sawing effect" of moving the file back and forth. This can cause your nails to fray, become jagged, and inflict damage to your nail and cuticle. Instead, use a fluid motion, starting from one corner of your nail and sweeping the file in one direction toward the middle. Repeat this action from the opposing side, and finish by bringing the file away from the nail and returning to the starting position. Filing in one direction blends the nail layers and promotes nail growth.
Smooth and shape:
Continue the filing process until you achieve your desired shape. Smooth out any rough edges and blend them into the chosen shape. Remember that your nails do not all have to be the same length. Typically, the pointer (index) finger nail grows the fastest, so you may want to keep it shorter. The thumb and middle finger nails tend to be broader, so you may want to leave them slightly longer than the rest.
Aftercare:
After filing your nails, use a cuticle pusher to remove any debris that has accumulated underneath your fingernails. Alternatively, you can use a manicuring nail brush to scrub underneath them with alcohol. Finish by wiping your nails with a lint-free towelette and nourishing them with cuticle oil.
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Avoid acetone
While acetone is a highly effective way to remove nail polish, it is harsh and can dry out your skin and nails. This can lead to your nails splitting and peeling instead of growing healthily and becoming longer.
Acetone is a chemical solvent used to remove nail polish, paint, or glue. It is the same stuff as paint stripper. The majority of nail polish removers contain acetone because it works fast and effectively. Acetone molecules have a stronger pull on the nail polish polymers than the compounds in the polish itself, causing them to break down at a rapid rate.
If you are looking to grow your nails, it is best to avoid acetone and opt for non-acetone nail polish removers. There are also natural alternatives to acetone that you can try, such as a mix of white vinegar and lemon juice. To use this method, follow the same protocol as you would with acetone by soaking your nails in the mixture for 10-15 minutes or gently dabbing with cotton swabs.
Additionally, it is important to moisturize your hands and nails after removing nail polish, regardless of whether you use acetone or non-acetone products. This will help to counteract the drying effects of the solvents.
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Frequently asked questions
If you bite your nails frequently, spread a clear, bitter-tasting polish onto them to discourage the habit. You could also try tape or stickers as a deterrent, or keep your hands busy with something like silly putty or a stress ball.
Hair and nails are made of protein, so ingest quality protein sources regularly. An unbalanced diet will show in brittle nails and unhealthy hair. Include foods like pork, beef, chicken, beans, and broccoli in your diet. Also, consider taking a biotin supplement.
Keep your hands moisturised by applying lotion after every wash and massaging oil into your cuticles. Use a crystal nail file to smooth out any chips in the nail, and apply thin layers of polish to avoid chipping.
