Sophia Delgado
Growing long, strong nails can be a frustratingly slow process, as nails tend to grow at a rate of only 3.5 millimetres per month. While there is little that can be done to speed up this natural growth, there are several steps you can take to ensure your nails reach their maximum potential. From dietary changes to specific products, this article will explore various methods to help you grow long and strong nails really fast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Growth rate | 3.5 mm per month |
| Preventing damage | Keep nails moisturized, avoid manicures |
| Diet | Calcium-rich foods, protein, biotin supplements |
| Vitamin deficiencies | Iron deficiency can cause brittle nails |
| Nail care | Use nail/cuticle oil, glass nail file, avoid biting |
| Nail polish removal | Use acetone or natural oils like coconut or olive oil |
| Prenatal vitamins | May help nail growth |
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What You'll Learn
Consume a calcium-rich diet of dairy, green vegetables, and protein
Calcium is an essential mineral for nail growth and health. Calcium helps build strong bones and also supports nail growth and collagen production in the body. Chia seeds are a great source of calcium and complete protein. Dairy products are also a good source of calcium and vitamin B12, which is required for the development of healthy red blood cells.
Green vegetables are rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient that helps produce collagen, giving shape, strength, and integrity to many tissues, including the nail bed. Some examples of green vegetables that can help with nail growth include spinach, bell peppers, and broccoli. Eating vitamin C-rich foods with plant-based iron sources, such as spinach, beans, and seeds, improves iron absorption. Iron is another critical mineral for nail health, as it provides cells with the oxygen needed for healthy nails. A lack of iron can affect the shape and appearance of your nails.
Protein is also an essential nutrient for nail health, as nails are made of a protein called keratin. Good sources of protein include eggs, chicken, lean beef, and fish. Vegetarian and vegan sources of protein include lentils, nuts, and dairy products such as cheese and milk.
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Take biotin supplements to strengthen nails
While there is not much you can do to speed up the natural growth of your nails, taking certain supplements can help prevent damage and keep your nails strong and healthy. One such supplement is biotin, also known as vitamin B-7. Biotin is an essential nutrient that supports your metabolism and helps convert food into energy. It may also help keep your nails, skin, and hair healthy.
Biotin supplements are available in various forms, including pills, nail polishes, and oils. These supplements claim to give you strong nails and long, shiny hair. However, it's important to note that there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. Most people get all the biotin they need from a healthy diet. Biotin-rich foods include beef liver and other organ meats, egg yolk, salmon, pork, nuts and seeds, brewer's yeast, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
If you choose to take biotin supplements, always consult your doctor first, as they may interact with certain medications. Additionally, biotin supplements can have mild side effects, such as an upset stomach. It's recommended to get your vitamins and minerals through a balanced diet rather than supplements whenever possible.
In addition to taking biotin supplements, you can also try using nail/cuticle oil regularly, filing your nails with a glass nail file instead of clippers, and avoiding using your nails to open things. These habits can help strengthen your nails and prevent breakage.
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Moisturise cuticles with almond, coconut, or apricot oil
Almond, coconut, and apricot oils are highly recommended for moisturising cuticles. These oils are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for nail health. Almond oil, for instance, contains vitamin E, A, B1, B2, and B6, which improve nail health and protect against ageing skin. It also helps to protect your nails from peeling, cracking, breaking, and dryness.
Coconut oil is an excellent source of hydration, helping to prevent nail breakage and fighting off infections that cause nails to discolour or become brittle. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Apricot oil is another effective moisturiser, and it also strengthens nails. Vitamin E, which is found in apricot oil, helps to soften the nail bed and repair any damage.
To apply, first ensure your nails and cuticles are clean. Then, apply a small amount of oil to your nails, massaging it in and paying attention to your cuticles. If you are using coconut oil, heat it up before application to help it penetrate the nails and cuticles more effectively.
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Avoid biting your nails
While there's not much you can do to speed up the natural growth of your nails, preventing damage and keeping your nails strong and healthy can help them reach their maximum growth potential. One of the most important things to do is to avoid biting your nails. Here are some tips to help you stop biting your nails:
Keep Your Nails Short and Well-Maintained
Keep your nails trimmed and relatively short. This will help prevent you from biting them, as there will be less nail to bite. Carry nail clippers with you so you can quickly trim any surplus growth. Push your cuticles back from time to time, as nail-biters often have less visible "moons" at the base of their fingernails because their cuticles haven't been pushed back.
Use Nail Art and Solutions
Try painting your nails with nail art or a clear coat of nail polish. You can also apply a bitter-tasting nail-biting inhibitor, which will remind you not to bite when you taste it. You can reapply the solution several times a day and carry it with you to use whenever one coat wears off.
Keep Your Mouth Busy
Find alternatives to keep your mouth busy, such as chewing gum or sugar-free mints. Learning a new hobby like knitting or crocheting can also keep your hands busy and reduce the urge to bite your nails.
Reduce Stress and Exercise
Nail biting is often associated with stress and anxiety. Find ways to reduce stress, such as exercising, which releases endorphins that can help calm your nerves. You can also try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to manage stress.
Address Vitamin Deficiencies
Certain vitamin deficiencies can lead to weak, brittle, or misshapen nails, which may contribute to nail-biting. Ask your doctor to test you for vitamin deficiencies, and consider taking supplements if necessary. For example, an iron deficiency can cause brittle nails, and taking an iron supplement may help them grow stronger.
By following these tips and maintaining a healthy diet and nail care routine, you can avoid biting your nails and increase your chances of achieving long and strong nails.
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Use a glass nail file instead of clippers
Glass nail files are gentler on your nails and are a great option if you want to keep your nails strong and healthy. They are also easy to clean and less likely to damage your nails compared to metal nail files. Metal nail files are made from ground-up metal and are very abrasive. They can easily tear and damage your nails.
Glass nail files are ideal for shaping and smoothing nail edges. When filing your nails, it is important to go slowly. Filing too fast will result in removing too much nail too quickly, making it difficult to achieve the desired shape. Start from one of the outside corners and file toward the centre. Once you have achieved the desired length and shape on one side, file from the opposite corner toward the centre.
If you are using clippers, it is important to ensure your nails are an even length. Use your shortest nail as a guide for how much nail growth or white part to leave when cutting the rest. First, clip one corner of the nail, then clip the other corner, and finally, clip the middle. If you clip the entire nail at once, it may crack due to the pressure on the nail plate.
Clippers can be difficult to control and it is harder to make a precise cut with them. They are, however, easier to use with your non-dominant hand than scissors. With manicure scissors, you cut into your nail from the side, and they cause less trauma to your nails than clippers. Manicure scissors also allow for more precise and smooth cuts but can be challenging to use with your non-dominant hand.
To summarise, glass nail files are a better option than clippers if you want to keep your nails strong and healthy. They are gentler on your nails, easy to clean, and less likely to cause damage. When using a glass nail file, remember to go slowly and file from the corners toward the centre. If you do use clippers, ensure your nails are an even length and be mindful that clippers can be less precise and more difficult to control than manicure scissors.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to speed up the natural growth of your nails, which only grow about 3.5mm per month. However, preventing damage and keeping your nails healthy can help them reach their maximum potential growth.
You can prevent damage to your nails by moisturising your cuticles with oils such as apricot, coconut, olive, or sweet almond oil. You can also take biotin supplements, or eat biotin-rich foods such as egg yolk, salmon, avocados, and nuts to strengthen your nails.
Yes, you should avoid biting your nails and using them to open things. You should also avoid getting manicures while your nails are growing out.
You should use a glass nail file instead of clippers to help keep the sides of your nails from splintering.
Yes, you can take prenatal vitamins or hair, skin, and nail vitamins. You can also ask your doctor to test you for vitamin deficiencies, as taking supplements may help your nails grow faster and stronger if you are deficient.
