Isla Bennett
Growing your own natural nails can be a fun and rewarding process. There are several ways to improve nail growth and overall nail health, including maintaining a well-balanced diet, using nail strengtheners, and keeping nails dry and clean. Additionally, it is important to treat your nails with care and be mindful of your actions to avoid breakage. With a combination of proper nutrition, dedicated care, and patience, you can achieve the desired natural nail growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vitamins | Biotin, prenatal vitamins, hair, skin and nails vitamins |
| Nail care products | Nail strengthener, cuticle oil, nail hardeners, base coat, lotion, keratin supplement |
| Actions | Wear gloves, keep nails dry, trim nails straight across, moisturize hands and nails, avoid nail biting, adapt habits to avoid breaking nails |
| Diet | Well-balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats |
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What You'll Learn
Keep nails dry and clean
Keeping your nails dry and clean is an essential step in maintaining strong and healthy nails. Nails that are frequently exposed to water or moisture are more prone to softening, which can lead to breakage and nail infections.
- Wear gloves when doing tasks that involve water, such as cleaning, washing dishes, or even showering. This will protect your nails from excessive moisture.
- Avoid soaking your hands or nails in water for prolonged periods. While washing your hands is important for hygiene, try not to let your nails remain submerged in water for too long.
- After washing your hands or nails, dry them thoroughly. Use a clean towel or cloth to pat your nails and hands dry. This helps minimize the risk of nail infections and prevents excessive softening of the nails.
- If you use nail brushes, ensure you wash and air-dry them after each use. Nail brushes can accumulate bacteria, so keeping them clean and dry is essential.
- Trim your nails regularly. Long nails are more likely to come into contact with water and can be more challenging to keep clean. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to achieve a precise trim.
- Maintain nail and cuticle health. Apply cuticle oil regularly to nourish and strengthen your nails. Push back your cuticles gently and trim any overgrown or rough areas with cuticle scissors.
- Choose the right tools for filing and trimming. Glass or steel nail files are recommended as they are less likely to snag and create a smooth finish.
- Protect your nails with a base coat. Even if you're not wearing coloured nail polish, applying a base coat can help create a barrier against water and external factors.
- Keep your nails well-moisturized. Use lotions or oils specifically designed for nail and cuticle care, such as jojoba oil or vitamin E oil. This will help maintain nail flexibility and overall nail health.
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Take vitamins and supplements
Taking vitamins and supplements can help support nail growth and improve overall nail health. While a well-balanced diet is the best way to get the necessary vitamins and minerals, supplements can help when you are unable to get enough from your diet.
Biotin, a type of B vitamin, is highly recommended as a supplement to help boost nail strength. Several studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails and improve their growth. Biotin can be found naturally in organ meats, egg yolk, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and even cauliflower.
Vitamin B12 is also important for nail health, as it plays a role in iron absorption and the development of red blood cells, which are necessary for keeping nails strong and healthy. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in nail discolouration.
Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production, a protein that contributes to nail strength, and a deficiency can lead to slow nail growth. Iron is another essential vitamin for nail health, as it is responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells, including those responsible for nail growth. Insufficient iron can lead to brittle, thin nails or ridges in the nails.
Zinc is required for the healthy growth of nails, and a lack of zinc can cause white spots on nails and slow nail growth. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important, as they help keep nails moisturized from the inside out, preventing dry, brittle nails.
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Use nail strengtheners
Using nail strengtheners is an effective way to grow your natural nails. They can help to turn things around if your nails are weak, flimsy, peeling, or breaking. Nail strengtheners are substances that are painted onto nails like a polish and are later removed with nail polish remover.
There are many nail-strengthening treatments available that can help improve the health of your nails. Chanel’s Protective and Smoothing Nail Treatment, for example, can be used as a nail strengthener and a base coat. It promises to nourish the nail and alleviate dryness with camellia oil. It also uses cellulose to repair the nail’s surface. After consistent use, nails will feel and look less brittle, and breakage will be reduced.
ORLY Nailtrition Nail Growth Treatment is another product that can be used as a nail strengthener. It is enriched with strengthening calcium, antioxidant green tea extract, and hydrating cannabis seed oil. It is designed for daily application and dries within 30-40 seconds, making it easier to squeeze into your daily routine.
You can also make your own nail strengthener at home. To make your own nail oil, combine 3 tablespoons of dried herbs with half a cup of jojoba, sweet almond, argan, coconut, emu, or olive oil. Add a few drops of vitamin E oil if desired. Gently heat to release the herb’s natural oils. Cool and let “steep” for at least an hour or overnight. Strain and massage into nails and cuticles daily.
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Moisturise hands and nails
Moisturising your hands and nails is an important step in maintaining healthy nails. It is recommended to moisturise your nails after water exposure and before bed, but more is always better. You can use your regular hand cream or cuticle oil to moisturise your nails. Oils tend to absorb better than creams, especially those with sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil, which are phospholipids that increase nail flexibility and combat dryness.
When applying the moisturiser, it is important to massage it into your nails to reduce peeling and brittleness and to stimulate blood circulation around the nails to encourage healthy nail growth. You can also use petroleum jelly, vitamin E, or cuticle creams and rub them into your cuticles at night.
In addition to using moisturisers, you can also improve nail health by consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, soy, eggs, and seeds. This will help prevent dry and brittle nails.
It is also important to protect your nails from excessive water exposure, as water can weaken the structure of your nails and compromise their ability to retain hydration. Therefore, it is recommended to wear gloves when washing dishes or performing other activities that involve prolonged contact with water.
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Wear gloves for protection
One of the most important things to keep in mind when growing your nails is to keep them dry and clean. Water is one of the worst chemicals for your nails, so it is advisable to wear gloves when cleaning, washing dishes, or doing any other activity that involves water. You can even wear gloves when showering to keep your nails dry.
Disposable nitrile gloves are a popular choice for protecting the hands from germs and bacteria, as well as hazardous chemicals found in nail products, such as polish remover, gel nail formulas, and acrylic powders. They are also useful for guarding against bloodborne diseases and infections. Nitrile gloves are durable, comfortable, and resistant to many chemicals used in nail salons. They are also less likely to cause allergic reactions than latex gloves.
If you are getting a gel manicure, you may want to consider wearing UV protection gloves to shield your skin from UV rays and potentially reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These gloves are typically used during outdoor activities like fishing and gardening, and they leave your fingertips exposed for easy dexterity.
It is important to change gloves frequently, wash your hands, and let them dry before putting on a new pair to avoid the formation of natural skin yeast.
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Frequently asked questions
To grow your natural nails, you must first ensure they are strong and healthy. This can be done by applying nail strengtheners or hardeners, taking biotin supplements, and maintaining a well-balanced diet.
To keep your nails strong and healthy, you should regularly moisturize your hands and nails, avoid biting your nails or cutting them too short, and use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim them straight across. You should also wear gloves when cleaning or washing dishes to avoid prolonged exposure to water, which can be damaging.
There are various products available to strengthen your nails, including nail hardeners, which can be painted on like polish, and dermatologist-approved nail strengtheners such as ISDIN SI-Nails and Famous Names' IBX Nail Treatment. You can also try taking keratin supplements, which can be applied topically as an oil or ingested orally.
Yes, in addition to a well-balanced diet, it is important to be mindful of your hands and nails throughout the day. Try using your knuckles instead of your nails to open cans or packages and avoid using your nails to pick at old manicures or bite your nails.
