Isla Bennett
Having strong and healthy nails is an indicator of good health. While there is no scientifically proven method for making nails grow faster, taking good care of your body through proper nutrition and strengthening your nails can help them grow strong and long over time. To achieve this, you can try a variety of methods, including keeping your nails moisturised, wearing gloves when doing chores, using cuticle oil, taking biotin supplements, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and using nail strengtheners or hardeners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutrition | Eat a well-balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, adequate carbohydrates, and healthy fats |
| Hydration | Drink enough water throughout the day |
| Moisturization | Use cuticle oil regularly to keep nails healthy and flexible, and to avoid breakage |
| Grooming | Keep nails dry, clean, and trimmed, and avoid nail biting |
| Protection | Protect nails from chemicals and harsh nail polish removers containing acetone |
| Supplements | Take biotin supplements, collagen peptides, and multivitamins with minerals |
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What You'll Learn
Keep nails moisturised and hydrated
Keeping your nails moisturised and hydrated is key to growing strong and healthy nails. Nails can become brittle and break and peel easily without adequate moisture. Ama Quashie, a session manicurist and founder of Ama salon, recommends the use of balms, oils and creams after every hand wash to keep the hands nourished and free of dry cuticles. Quashie also recommends applying these products three times a day.
Cuticle oils are a great way to keep your nails moisturised and hydrated. These oils hydrate the cuticle and nail bed, which is an important step in nail care. Oils such as organic Dadi oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and argan oil can be used to massage the nails and cuticles to promote growth and strengthen them.
In addition to using oils, it is important to drink enough water throughout the day to keep your nails and body hydrated. A well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, adequate carbohydrates, and healthy fats is also essential for nail health.
To protect your nails from chemicals, it is recommended to use acetone-free nail polish removers as acetone can dry out the nails and cuticles. It is also beneficial to wear gloves when cleaning, doing the dishes, or showering to minimise water exposure, as prolonged exposure to water can negatively affect nail health.
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Eat a nutrient-dense, well-balanced diet
Eating a nutrient-dense, well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining strong and healthy nails. Nails are made of a hard protein called keratin, so it is important to ensure adequate protein intake. Include lean sources of protein in your diet, such as fish, poultry, and legumes.
In addition to protein, incorporate a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals. These provide essential vitamins and minerals that promote nail health. For example, citrus fruits like oranges and strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which helps produce collagen, a structural protein that provides strength and elasticity to your nails.
Healthy fats are also beneficial for nail growth and strength. Avocados, nuts, and seeds are excellent sources of healthy fats and contain additional nutrients like vitamin E and zinc, which contribute to overall nail health.
Finally, staying properly hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day is crucial for nail health. Water helps your nails retain moisture, making them less brittle and prone to breakage. So, remember to drink up to support the growth of strong and healthy nails!
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Take supplements like biotin and collagen peptides
Taking supplements like biotin and collagen peptides can be an effective way to grow your nails nice and strong. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in nail, skin, and hair health. It is a vitamin that the human body cannot produce on its own, so it must be obtained from external sources, either through food or supplements. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle nails, hair loss, and skin infections. Therefore, taking biotin supplements can help strengthen nails and improve their overall health.
Collagen peptides, on the other hand, are a type of protein that has been proven to improve nail health. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides has been shown to increase nail growth rate, reduce nail breakage, and improve brittle nail symptoms. In a study, participants who took collagen peptides daily for 24 weeks experienced a 12% increase in nail growth rate and a 42% decrease in broken nails. Additionally, 64% of participants reported improved brittle nails during the treatment, and 88% experienced further improvement four weeks after discontinuing the supplement.
Both biotin and collagen peptides are safe to take together, so you can consider incorporating them into your daily routine to promote nail growth and strength. However, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements, especially if you have any health concerns or are taking medications.
In addition to supplements, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for nail growth and strength. A well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats can provide the necessary nutrients for strong and healthy nails.
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Avoid harsh nail polish removers and gels
To grow your nails nice and strong, it is important to avoid harsh nail polish removers and gels. Gels can cause your nails to peel, weakening them. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from gel polish has been identified as a risk factor for cancer and can age the skin that supports a healthy nail. It is recommended to apply sunscreen to your hands at least 20 minutes before exposure to UV light.
Constant use of nail polish, even non-toxic polish, can weaken the nail. Therefore, it is advisable to let your nails breathe by going polish-free for a week after wearing nail polish for a week. When removing nail polish, opt for an acetone-free nail polish remover to avoid the drying effects of acetone on the skin and nails. You can also apply a thicker, cheaper oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, around your nails before removing the polish.
In addition to avoiding harsh nail polish removers, it is important to keep your nails hydrated. Cuticle oil helps to hydrate the cuticle and nail bed, promoting nail growth and strength. Regularly massaging the nails and cuticles with nourishing oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil can also help.
Another way to avoid the negative effects of harsh nail polish removers is to opt for water-based, non-toxic nail polish formulations. These polishes are toxin-free and can help keep your nails healthy. Additionally, maintaining a well-balanced diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats can contribute to stronger nail growth.
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Use nail strengtheners or hardeners
Using nail strengtheners or hardeners can help protect and fortify your nails, reducing the chances of breakage. Dr. Shokeen, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends applying a dermatologist-approved nail strengthener daily. One such example is ISDIN SI-Nails.
Nail strengtheners and hardeners can be particularly useful if you have brittle nails. In addition to using these products, you may also want to consider switching to a crystal nail file, which is a gentler alternative to a traditional emery board. Crystal nail files can help you maintain your nail shape without thinning them out.
It is important to note that while nail polishes can make your nails look nice, they can also weaken them over time. Constant use of nail polish, even non-toxic polish, can cause your nails to weaken. Therefore, it is recommended to remove your nail polish after a week or so and then let your nails be polish-free for about a week. This allows your nails to breathe and recover.
When removing nail polish, it is important to be mindful of the type of remover you use. Nail polish removers containing acetone can be harsh on your nails and skin, causing dryness and brittleness. Instead, opt for acetone-free alternatives or natural oils such as coconut oil or olive oil to remove your nail polish.
In addition to nail strengtheners and hardeners, you can also use builder gel (BIAB) to add a protective layer to your natural nails. BIAB has a thicker consistency than regular gel polish and can help prevent chipping and breaking.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no scientifically proven method for making nails grow faster. However, maintaining a healthy diet and keeping your nails moisturised and strong can help them grow out strong and long over time.
Nails can become brittle due to exposure to harsh chemicals like nail polish removers containing acetone, so try to keep your nails away from such chemicals. You can use acetone-free nail polish and nail strengthener to keep your nails strong. Also, make sure to keep your nails trimmed and filed to reduce the risk of breakage.
Using cuticle oil regularly will help you avoid breakage and keep your nails healthy and flexible. You can also use nourishing oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil to promote growth and strengthen your nails.
