Caleb Foster
There are many ways to help your nails grow faster and stronger. Firstly, it is important to take care of your body by eating a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. This includes foods such as eggs, lean meats, fish, beans, nuts, and leafy greens. You can also take supplements such as biotin, keratin, or folic acid, which repair and multiply the cells that make up nails. Keeping your nails moisturized and avoiding harsh soaps, cleaning products, and solvents are also important. Regular nail grooming and clipping can help stimulate circulation in the nail bed and protect your nails from breakage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | A well-balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, adequate carbohydrates, and healthy fats |
| Vitamins and Supplements | Biotin, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Keratin, Iron, Multivitamins |
| Nail Care | Keep nails clean, trim nails straight and file into a soft curve, moisturize hands and nails, use cuticle oil, wear gloves during cleaning |
| Nail Cosmetics | Use non-toxic nail polishes, avoid glue-on artificial nails, use nail strengtheners sparingly |
| Health | Hormones play a role in nail growth, with younger people tending to have faster-growing nails. Poor health, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medications can cause abnormal nail growth. |
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What You'll Learn
Take a biotin supplement
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an essential nutrient that supports your body's metabolism by helping to convert food into energy. While biotin is mainly associated with promoting hair and nail growth, it has several other benefits for your body.
Biotin deficiency is rare, but consuming biotin through supplements may help strengthen brittle nails and improve their growth. A 2007 study found that taking 2.5 milligrams of biotin every day reduced breakage and increased overall nail health. Another study from Switzerland demonstrated a 25% increase in nail plate thickness in patients with brittle nails who received biotin supplementation.
Biotin supplements are available in the form of "super B" vitamin formulations or vitamins that promote hair and nail growth. These supplements can contain up to 10,000% of your daily value of biotin. However, it's important to consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, as more is not always better. Most people get adequate biotin through a healthy diet, and consuming a variety of vitamins and minerals through food is generally considered the best way to improve and maintain nail health.
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Keep nails moisturised
Keeping your nails moisturised is an important step in achieving faster-growing nails. Dry skin can cause the nails to become dry, brittle, and more prone to cracking, which can expose the nails to fungal and bacterial infections.
To prevent this, it is recommended to moisturise your hands and nails with a lotion, especially after washing your hands, and during the winter months when the air is drier. You can also use oils to lock in moisture, preserve the cuticle seal, and strengthen the nail.
People with eczema should opt for highly moisturising, eczema-friendly creams. It is also a good idea to wear gloves when washing dishes, clothes, and surfaces to prevent water or harsh cleaning products from damaging the nail keratin protein.
Additionally, keeping your nails filed into a slightly rounded or squared shape can prevent them from snagging and breaking.
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Eat a well-balanced diet
Eating a well-balanced diet is key to supporting nail growth. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, so ensuring adequate protein intake is vital. Include lean meats, fish, beans, nuts, eggs, and dairy in your diet to boost your protein consumption.
Vitamins and minerals are also essential for nail health. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause brittle nails that break easily. Include vitamin A, found in sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and mangoes, in your diet. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, stimulates stronger nail growth. Vitamin E, found in olive oil, acts as a natural moisturizer, helping to prevent brittle nails. Vitamin B12, found in salmon, is also important for nail health. Biotin, a B vitamin, is widely recommended for nail growth, as it helps the body process glucose, fats, and proteins.
Iron is another important nutrient for nail health. People who do not get enough iron may have brittle or dented nails. Lentils and beans are excellent sources of iron and biotin. Zinc, found in oysters, steak, crab, and fortified cereals, is another mineral that can support nail growth.
Fatty acids encourage healthy cell development, which aids in nail growth. Flaxseed, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, has been linked to improved nail health.
In addition to specific vitamins and minerals, staying hydrated is crucial for nail health. Water aids in delivering nutrients and oxygen to the cells, so drink water or other hydrating liquids throughout the day.
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Avoid glue-on artificial nails
While glue-on artificial nails can be appealing, they can cause more harm than good. Firstly, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and dry. Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails. The glue used for artificial nails is often a super-glue-like substance that is very potent and can weaken your natural nails, making them more prone to breaking.
Additionally, the small gaps that develop between the artificial nails and your real nails can collect water and dirt, leading to infections and resultant staining. Artificial nails can also cause your natural nails to yellow. This discolouration can occur due to trapped water, sunlight, tanning beds, hand creams, moisturisers, or makeup.
To avoid these issues, it is best to reserve artificial nails for special occasions. In the meantime, you can paint your nails with nail polishes that have little to no toxic chemicals. Look for water-based, toxin-free formulations from brands like Acquarella and Suncoat. Regular nail grooming and maintenance, such as keeping your nails dry and clean, can also help boost the strength of your nails, encouraging growth and reducing breakage.
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File nails gently
Filing your nails is a good way to keep them a uniform length and shape and can help prevent them from breaking. However, it's easy to file your nails incorrectly, which can lead to jagged, frayed nails and even nail bed or cuticle damage.
Before you start filing, it's important to cleanse your hands to get rid of any oil or debris that might interfere with the process. Wet your hands with warm water, then lather them in soap for at least 20 seconds. Spend an extra minute or so rubbing soap onto your nails (and underneath them) with the tips of your fingers.
If you have long nails, it's recommended to trim them to the desired length before filing. This is because filing can cause too much stress on the nail, encouraging breakage or splitting.
When filing, always file in one direction with swift, smooth strokes. Avoid using a back-and-forth sawing motion, as this can cause splintering and damage the nail bed and cuticle. File from the outer corner into the centre of the nail and repeat the motion on the other side. Go slowly, especially if you have short nails, as you don't want to accidentally file too much off.
Use a softer nail file, especially if you're new to filing. A higher grit number, such as 180 or 240 grit, is recommended to prevent tearing.
Remember to treat your hands and nails with oils that will lock in moisture, preserve the cuticle seal, and strengthen the nail.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no magic solution to make your nails grow faster, but there are ways to strengthen them to prevent breakage. You can take a keratin supplement or apply it topically as an oil. You can also eat more protein-rich foods, such as eggs, lean meats, fish, beans, nuts, and leafy greens.
Biotin, a type of B vitamin, has been shown to increase nail thickness and smoothness, and reduce nail splitting. Calcium, Vitamin C, and folic acid (or silica) are also good for nail growth.
Keep your nails moisturized and free of snags that may cause splitting. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim your nails straight across, then round the tips into a soft curve.
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