Caleb Foster
Growing long and healthy nails is a goal for many people. While there is no magic solution to make nails grow faster, there are several tips and tricks to help them grow stronger and longer. These include taking good care of your body and maintaining a nutritious diet, as well as specific nail care habits such as regular grooming, keeping nails painted, and using nail-strengthening products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail Care | Keep nails painted, dry, and clean |
| Use nail hardeners | |
| Moisturize hands and nails | |
| Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim nails straight across, then round the tips into a soft curve | |
| Diet | Eat foods rich in vitamins A, E, D, and B (biotin) |
| Ensure sufficient protein, iron, and healthy fats | |
| Products | Use nail polishes with little to no toxic chemicals |
| Look for water-based, toxin-free formulations | |
| Popular non-toxic nail polish brands include Acquarella and Suncoat |
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What You'll Learn
Keep nails painted
Keeping nails painted is a great way to protect them and encourage growth. Painting your nails provides a barrier that helps to prevent water from being absorbed, which can cause nails to expand and become brittle over time.
It is recommended to use nail polishes with little to no toxic chemicals, such as water-based, non-toxic formulations. Some popular non-toxic nail polish brands include Acquarella and Suncoat. You can also use nail hardeners, which are substances painted onto the nails like polish and later removed with nail polish remover. However, be cautious as these can make your nails harder and more prone to breaking instead of bending.
To maintain your painted nails, it is important to keep them dry and clean to prevent bacteria from growing beneath them. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim your nails straight across, then round the tips into a soft curve. When your nail polish chips, be sure to repaint your nails as unprotected nails are more susceptible to breaking.
In addition to painting your nails, it is essential to keep your hands and nails moisturized. Apply moisturizing products to your hands and rub them into your fingernails, especially at the cuticles. You can also use cuticle oil to promote nail health and growth.
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Avoid water
Water is the enemy of nail growth. The nail plate absorbs water, expands, and becomes brittle over time. Nails absorb water even more easily than our skin. When that water is constantly moving in and out of the nails, it puts a tremendous strain on the delicate nail cells, which can result in weakening, softening, and breakage. Your cuticles can become dehydrated, making them more likely to lift and separate, causing hangnails or openings where infections can more easily enter.
To avoid water damaging your nails, you should try to limit your exposure to very hot or cold water. Exposure to extreme temperatures creates a flux nail cell state, constantly expanding and contracting, which puts the nail under tremendous strain. This is especially relevant in the winter when we are often moving from cold to heated environments.
You should also think about wearing gloves if your hands are going to have prolonged exposure to water. Keeping your nails painted can also help to protect them from water. You can use a strengthening base coat or a clear polish to protect your nails from water damage.
In addition to avoiding water, it's important to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated. Make sure you have hand creams and cuticle oils everywhere—by your bedside, desk, and in the kitchen—to help keep your nails and cuticles moisturized.
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Take biotin supplements
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps the body convert food into energy. It is also highly recommended as a supplement to help boost the strength of hair and nails. Several studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails and make them less prone to breakage.
Biotin supplements are available in various forms, including pills, capsules, and nail polishes. Some people may prefer to take biotin as a supplement, while others may prefer to apply it directly to their nails as a nail-strengthening treatment. This treatment can be used alone or as a base and top coat under nail polish.
If you choose to take biotin supplements, it is recommended to take 2.5 milligrams daily to improve nail strength in a few weeks. It is generally safe to take biotin, but it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you are taking medication or have any health concerns.
Additionally, it is important to note that most people get enough biotin through their diet, with sources such as fish and seeds. However, for those with brittle nails or biotin deficiency, taking a supplement may be beneficial.
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Moisturise hands and nails
Keeping your hands and nails moisturised is essential for nail health and growth. The nail is 1000 times more permeable to water than the skin, and everyday activities like hand washing can weaken the nail's structure, compromising its ability to retain hydration.
To prevent this, it is recommended to wear gloves when washing dishes or doing any activity that involves water. After such activities, you should apply a moisturiser to your hands and nails immediately. You can use your regular hand cream, or opt for nail- and cuticle-specific creams and oils. Oils, such as sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil, are especially good as they are phospholipids that increase nail flexibility and combat dryness.
When applying a moisturiser, it is important to massage it into your nails and cuticles, rather than simply rubbing it on. This will stimulate blood circulation around the nails, encouraging healthy nail growth and reducing peeling and brittleness.
To further protect your nails from water, you can keep them painted with a strengthening base coat or clear polish. However, be careful with nail hardeners as they can make your nails brittle and prone to breaking.
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Avoid glue-on nails
While there is no scientifically proven method for making nails grow faster, taking good care of your body through proper nutrition and using the following tips to strengthen your nails can help them grow strong and long over time.
One of the ways to take care of your nails is to avoid using glue-on nails. Researchers have found that regular use of glue-on artificial nails can weaken real nails and make them more prone to breaking. Instead of opting for glue-on nails, you can paint your nails with nail polishes that have little to no toxic chemicals. Look for water-based formulations that indicate they're toxin-free. Some popular nontoxic nail polish brands include Acquarella and Suncoat.
You can also keep your nails painted all the time. This will help you grow them out and prevent you from picking at them. If your polish chips, remove it all immediately and repaint. Leaving chipped polish to fix "later" will just make you pick at the rest of your nails.
Additionally, you can take biotin supplements to help strengthen your nails. Several human studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails. Some scientists say a dose of 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily can improve nail strength in just a few weeks.
Finally, regular nail grooming can also help boost the strength of your nails, encouraging growth and reducing breakage. Keep your nails dry and clean, which keeps bacteria from growing beneath them. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim your nails straight across, and then use them to round the tips of your nails into a soft curve.
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Frequently asked questions
Keeping your nails moisturised and avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals are two ways to ensure your nails grow evenly.
Using cuticle oil regularly will keep your nails healthy and flexible, reducing the risk of breakage. You can also use other nourishing oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil.
Nail polish removers that contain acetone can cause nails to become brittle. It is also recommended to avoid excessive buffing or filing as this can thin out your nails.
