Ava Monroe
There are many ways to grow long and strong nails. Some people opt for artificial nails, such as acrylics, gels, and wraps, which can be applied at home or by a manicurist. However, these can damage your natural nails. For those wanting to grow their natural nails, there are several methods to try. Firstly, taking care of your body through proper nutrition is key. Eating foods rich in folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and biotin can help support nail health and strength. Biotin supplements are also available, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking any supplements. In addition to a healthy diet, you can try home remedies such as applying garlic to your nails, using lotions, and keeping your nails clean, dry, and trimmed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Biotin, Collagen, Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin H, Keratin, Coconut Oil, Garlic |
| Actions | Moisturize hands and nails, Massage lotion into cuticles, Avoid soaking nails in water, File nails into a basic round shape, Apply base coat, Apply strengthening top coat, Consume foods with folic acid and biotin |
| Tools | Manicure scissors, Nail clippers |
| Other Tips | Avoid nail biting, Avoid cutting nails too short, Avoid glue-on artificial nails, Use non-toxic nail polish, Keep nails dry and clean, Avoid drills, Ensure manicurist doesn't cut cuticles, Sterilize tools |
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What You'll Learn
Consume vitamins and minerals: Biotin, folic acid, vitamins A, C, and collagen
Consuming vitamins and minerals is essential for maintaining nail health and promoting nail growth. Here are the roles of biotin, folic acid, vitamins A, C, and collagen in keeping your nails strong and healthy:
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, coenzyme R, or vitamin H, promotes healthy cell growth and aids in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids that are crucial for nail growth. It also helps the body effectively absorb other water-soluble nutrients. Biotin-rich foods include meat, eggs, fish, seeds, and nuts. Studies have shown that biotin supplements can help strengthen brittle nails and increase nail thickness.
Folic Acid (Folate)
Folic acid, or folate, is a water-soluble B-vitamin that aids in cell growth and red blood cell health. It helps your nails grow longer and stronger. Folate can be found in beef liver, spinach, black-eyed peas, fortified breakfast cereals, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and collagen is a building block for nails, lending them strength, shape, and resistance to breakage. Vitamin C-rich foods include red and green bell peppers, orange juice, oranges, grapefruit juice, kiwi, and broccoli.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin and can be found in orange, yellow, and green fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and mangoes.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, providing support for various tissues, including the skin and muscles. It gives the skin its suppleness and resilience. While collagen loss is a natural side effect of aging, a well-balanced diet rich in certain foods can help curb the side effects of collagen loss. Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals that protect your collagen levels.
In summary, consuming a variety of vitamins and minerals through a well-balanced diet is crucial for nail health. While supplements are available, scientific evidence for their effectiveness is often lacking, with biotin being a notable exception.
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Moisturise hands and nails with lotion
Keeping your hands and nails moisturised is an important step in maintaining nail health and promoting nail growth. Moisture loss is a major cause of nail brittleness and breakage, so applying hand lotion regularly can help keep moisture loss to a minimum.
There are many lotions on the market that are designed to strengthen your nails and moisturise your hands and cuticles. Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hands & Stronger Nails lotion, for example, is a non-greasy lotion that contains keratin and vitamin E to moisturise skin and cuticles.
You can also use natural products like coconut oil, which is recommended by Rachel Apfel Glass, the owner of GLOSSLAB salon, to moisturise your hands and cuticles. Glass suggests applying coconut oil once or twice a day to reap its moisturising benefits.
Another natural option is jojoba oil, which can be used to nourish and strengthen nails. If you're looking for a product that contains both hydrating and exfoliating properties, you might want to consider a lotion that contains hyaluronic acid and fruit extracts with AHAs.
In addition to lotion, you can also use cuticle oil or cuticle cream to keep your cuticles from drying and peeling. This also stimulates blood circulation in the nail matrix, which helps promote healthy nail growth.
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Avoid water: Keep nails dry, take shorter showers, avoid baths
Keeping your hands and nails dry is an important step in maintaining nail health and encouraging growth. Water can be damaging to your nails, especially when they are immersed for long periods. The nails will absorb water, and over time, this can weaken the nail structure, making them more prone to breakage.
Hot water is particularly drying, and it is best to avoid long soaks in the bath or hot tub. If you do take a bath, try to keep your hands out of the water as much as possible. Shorter showers are also recommended, and if you are washing the dishes, wear gloves to protect your nails.
The glue used for nail wraps is water-soluble, so if you have these treatments, be aware that swimming, steam rooms, and even cooking can cause the glue to loosen. Even with daily showers and hand washing, the glue may not last, and you will need to have the wraps glued back down regularly.
To keep your nails strong and healthy, it is also important to moisturize your cuticles and nails. Applying cuticle oil can help to keep the natural moisture in your nail plate, and prevent dryness and brittleness.
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File and shape: Rounded edges are best
When it comes to nail health, short and rounded is the way to go. Rounded nails are less prone to breakage than oval or pointed nails. They also don't have the same issues with snagging or hangnails. Rounded edges are complementary and can make shorter fingers look longer. This shape is also a good option for those who are active, as they are less likely to break.
Rounded nails are a classic choice and can be used with any nail polish shade. They are a good option for those who want to go bold with colour but are unsure about the shape. The sides of round nails are straight, but the edges curve to follow the natural shape of the fingertip.
If you have wider, longer nail beds, a square-oval or "squoval" shape might be a better option. This shape combines the best parts of square and oval nails, with flat edges and rounded corners. It is a universally flattering shape that helps to balance out the look of wide nails.
No matter the shape you choose, keeping your nails healthy is most important. This includes moisturising your nails and cuticles daily with products specifically designed for this purpose, as well as eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of biotin, a B vitamin that helps strengthen nails.
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Artificial nails: Acrylics, gels, and wraps can strengthen nails
Artificial nails are a great way to get long, attractive nails. The three most common types of artificial nails are acrylics, gels, and wraps. While they may not improve the health of your nails, if you take the proper precautions, no permanent harm should be done.
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are a mix of polymer and monomer. When combined, these ingredients create a gummy paste that is painted onto the nail with a brush. It is primarily used to strengthen and shape the natural nail, and nail polish is usually painted on top to impart colour. Acrylics allow a lot of freedom in terms of nail art, as you can play with length, shape, and endless designs.
Gel Nails
Gel nails are made from an acrylic substance, but there is no liquid-and-powder mixing required, and they can easily be brushed on in a thin coating. This type of manicure uses a specific type of nail polish—gel nail polish—that is cured with a UV nail lamp to create a shiny, long-lasting manicure that doesn’t require extensive time to dry. Gel nails can be applied to natural nails, acrylic nails, and nail extensions.
Wraps
Wraps are a great option for those who keep their nails short but want a little extra strength. They can be used to patch up a tear in an individual nail until it grows out. The manicurist will glue tips onto the nails and then glue the wrap on top. Wraps are often made of silk, fiberglass, paper, or linen. The bad news is that the glue that attaches wraps to the nails is water-soluble, so this technique isn't ideal for those who swim, lounge in steam rooms, or cook a lot.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take supplements like biotin, collagen, folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin C to support nail health and growth. Eating a well-balanced diet with whole grains, fish, red meat, and cheese, and fruits and vegetables can also help.
Keep your nails clean, dry, and shaped with a basic, round file. Moisturize your hands and nails with lotion, especially at the cuticle area. Avoid biting your nails, using them to open or peel things, and prolonged exposure to water.
Yes, some people have reported success with applying garlic to the top coat of their nails or using coconut oil daily.
Use nail polishes with minimal toxic chemicals, opting for water-based, non-toxic formulas. Always apply a clear base coat to protect your natural nails, followed by a strengthening top coat.
You can get a soak-off gel manicure or use acrylic nails to achieve longer nails. However, be cautious as these treatments may weaken your natural nails over time.
