Ava Monroe
Growing long, strong nails is a beauty goal for many, but it can be challenging to achieve. While it is not possible to speed up nail growth significantly in just two days, there are several things you can do to maximise nail growth and make your nails stronger and healthier. This includes maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, using nail hardeners to prevent chipping and breaking, and keeping your nails moisturised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to grow nails | 2 days |
| Diet | Calcium, protein, vitamins A, B, and C, folic acid, biotin, whole grains, boiled eggs, bananas, mushrooms, salmon, chicken, leafy greens, spinach, avocados, coconut oil |
| Topical application | Orange slice, lemon juice, olive oil, plant oils (jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil), lotion, cuticle cream, almond oil, Shea Butter Nail & Cuticle Nourishing Oil |
| Grooming techniques | File nails, trim nails, moisturize hands and nails, massage cuticles, push back cuticles, wear gloves |
| Other techniques | Nail hardeners, avoid biting nails, gel manicures, LED light-activated gel manicure, Red Carpet Manicure's Starter Kit |
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What You'll Learn
Eat a balanced diet with biotin-rich foods
Eating a balanced diet with biotin-rich foods is essential for maintaining strong and healthy nails. Biotin, a B-complex vitamin, helps the body convert food into energy and supports various bodily functions, including the nervous system, liver, eyes, hair, and skin. While biotin deficiency is rare, especially with a well-balanced diet, it can lead to symptoms such as brittle nails and slow growth.
Biotin-rich foods include organ meats, such as liver, egg yolk, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and even vegetables like cauliflower. For example, a single cooked egg contains 10 micrograms of biotin, while just 3 ounces of cooked liver provides 30.8 micrograms, which is 100% of the daily recommended value for adults.
In addition to biotin, a well-balanced diet for nail health should include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, adequate carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Animal proteins are an excellent source of zinc, which is necessary for healthy nail growth. Calcium-rich foods also play a pivotal role in nail health, as they help nails grow faster and stronger by increasing keratin production and strengthening the nail bed.
While supplements are available, scientific evidence of their effectiveness is limited, except in the case of biotin supplements. Several studies suggest that a daily intake of 2.5 milligrams of biotin can help strengthen nails and accelerate their growth. However, it is always best to prioritise obtaining nutrients from food sources whenever possible.
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Moisturise your hands and nails
While it is impossible to make your nails grow faster than their natural growth rate, you can take steps to ensure your nails are healthy and strong, which will make them less prone to breakage. One of the most important things you can do to achieve this is to moisturise your hands and nails.
Moisturising your nails will improve their appearance and ensure the nail and surrounding skin stays healthy. The nail is 1000 times more permeable to water than the skin, so everyday activities like hand washing can weaken the nail's structure and its ability to retain hydration. To combat this, you should apply a moisturising cream or hand balm to your nails on a daily basis, especially after exposing your hands to water. You can also wear gloves when washing dishes to prevent water exposure.
When choosing a moisturiser, you can use your regular hand cream, or a nail- and cuticle-specific cream or oil. Oils tend to absorb into the nail better than creams, especially products with sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil, both of which are phospholipids that increase nail flexibility and combat dryness. You can also rub petroleum jelly, vitamin E, or cuticle creams into your cuticles at night.
In addition to moisturising products, your diet can also play a role in preventing dry and brittle nails. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, soy, eggs, and seeds.
To apply the moisturiser, massage it into your nails, especially at the base where the cuticles are located. This will reduce peeling and brittleness, as well as stimulate blood circulation around the nails to encourage healthy nail growth.
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Avoid biting your nails
Growing long nails can be challenging, especially if you have a habit of nail biting. Biting your nails can damage your fingers and nails and even lead to infection. It can also make the skin around your nails feel sore and damage the tissue that makes nails grow, resulting in abnormal-looking nails.
Identify triggers
Nail biting falls under a list of behaviours known as body-focused repetitive disorders (BFRDs), which are little habits that can cause harm when done frequently. Identifying what triggers your nail biting can help you address the behaviour. Triggers can be sensory, such as taste, touch, sight, smell, or hearing. They can also be cognitive, such as certain thoughts or beliefs, or motor triggers, which involve postures and movements. Identifying and addressing these triggers can help reduce nail biting.
Keep your nails short and well-maintained
Well-maintained nails can reduce the temptation to bite them. Keep your nails clean and dry to prevent bacteria from growing beneath them. Trim your nails straight across with sharp manicure scissors or clippers, then use them to gently round the tips into a soft curve. Moisturise your hands and nails with lotion, paying special attention to the cuticles. Carry a cuticle cutter to address hangnails or torn cuticles without using your teeth.
Apply nail treatments
Using nail treatments can make your nails look and feel better, reducing the urge to bite them. Apply cuticle oil and balm to nourish your nails and cuticles. You can also try painting your nails with a pretty or bitter-tasting polish. This can help you become more aware of your nails and reduce the urge to bite them.
Find alternative habits
When you feel the urge to bite your nails, try engaging in alternative habits instead. For example, you can rub or push down your cuticles to lengthen your nail beds. You can also try fidget toys, chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, or taking up knitting to keep your hands busy.
Address anxiety
If anxiety is a trigger for your nail biting, consider addressing it through other self-soothing activities. For example, you can try anti-anxiety medication or focus on deep breathing or meditation when you feel anxious.
Remember, it takes time and consistency to break a nail-biting habit. Be patient with yourself and keep trying different strategies until you find what works best for you.
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Use nail hardeners
Using nail hardeners is a great way to strengthen nails and prevent breakage in the short term. They create a protective barrier on the nail, preventing nails from breaking and chipping. Nail hardeners are painted onto nails like a polish and are later removed with nail polish remover.
There are many nail hardeners on the market, such as Londontown's Nail Hardener and Base Coat, which is made with rapeseed oil, vitamin A, vitamin E, and biotin. This hardening polish leaves nails hydrated and nourished and serves as a protective barrier between the nail and typical nail polish. Another option is ONYX Professional's Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream, which has a creamy texture that absorbs into the nails with minimal effort. This formula contains moisturising ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba seed oil, which leave nails looking more hydrated and healthier.
While nail hardeners can be effective in the short term, it is important to note that prolonged use of nail hardeners can sometimes cause nails to become weaker and more prone to breakage. Therefore, nail hardeners should be used sparingly and only as a temporary supplement to a more long-term nail health plan.
In addition to using nail hardeners, it is important to care for your nails by moisturising your hands and nails regularly, wearing gloves when doing chores or working with chemicals, and eating a balanced diet with sufficient protein and biotin to promote nail growth and strength.
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Soak nails in lemon juice and olive oil
While there is no way to magically grow nails in two days, there are some home remedies that can help promote nail growth and prevent breakage. One such remedy involves soaking your nails in lemon juice and olive oil.
Olive oil is a natural remedy that helps keep your cuticles healthy and promotes nail growth by providing the necessary nutrients. It is one of the best oils for looking after your nails and cuticles, providing them with the necessary nutrients. It also helps repair brittle nails, softening the nails and cuticles, which ultimately helps in promoting the robust health of nails. Lemon juice is also rich in antioxidants and moisturizing properties, and it gets easily absorbed into the nail beds, enhancing nail growth.
To soak your nails in lemon juice and olive oil, start by mixing a teaspoon of olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice. Massage this mixture into your nails and let it soak in. Then, put on some soft manicure gloves and leave the mixture on overnight. In the morning, remove the gloves and wash your hands with lukewarm water.
In addition to soaking your nails in lemon juice and olive oil, there are other things you can do to promote nail growth and health. Maintaining a healthy diet with adequate protein and calcium intake can help your nails grow faster and stronger. Regular nail grooming, including keeping your nails clean and dry, trimming them straight across, and moisturizing your hands and nails, can also help boost nail strength and encourage growth.
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Frequently asked questions
While it is not possible to speed up nail growth in 2 days, you can strengthen and protect your nails to maximize their growth. You can do this by applying nail hardeners and moisturizing your hands and nails regularly with lotions or natural oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil.
A balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals can help your nails grow long and strong. Salmon and chicken are excellent sources of copper, selenium, and zinc, all of which are critical to growing strong nails. You should also include vitamins A, B, and C, folic acid, and foods with good fats like avocados and coconut oil.
Bad habits such as nail biting and not maintaining proper nail hygiene can hinder nail growth. Additionally, exposing your nails to prolonged water or harsh chemicals without protection can result in weak nails that are prone to splitting.
