Caleb Foster
Long, healthy nails are often seen as a beauty standard, but achieving this can be challenging. Nails can be an indicator of our overall health, with nutritional deficiencies, chemical exposure, and chronic conditions potentially causing weak or brittle nails. While there is no proven way to help nails grow, certain home remedies can strengthen nails and prevent breakage, giving them the best chance of healthy growth. These include maintaining a healthy diet, keeping nails moisturized, and using non-toxic nail polishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | A well-balanced diet with high-quality protein, fruits, vegetables, iron, calcium, and vitamins A, D, and B |
| Supplements | Biotin |
| Water Intake | Drink enough water throughout the day |
| Moisturizing | Use hand cream or nail lotions and oils |
| Filing | File nails in one direction, avoiding the sides |
| Manicures | Skip manicures or go to a salon with sanitized equipment |
| Medical Conditions | Address any underlying conditions, such as diabetes or nutritional deficiencies |
| Massage | Promote circulation to the nails through gentle massage |
| Natural Remedies | Soak nails in apple cider vinegar, use garlic oil, or apply vitamin E |
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What You'll Learn
- Consume a well-balanced diet with high-quality protein, fruits, vegetables, and vitamins
- Take biotin supplements to strengthen nails and prevent breakage
- Moisturize nails and cuticles with hand cream, oils, or lotions
- Avoid manicures, harsh nail polishes, and toxic chemicals that can weaken nails
- Massage nails with garlic oil or soak in apple cider vinegar to treat fungal infections
Consume a well-balanced diet with high-quality protein, fruits, vegetables, and vitamins
Consuming a well-balanced diet with high-quality protein, fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals is essential for maintaining healthy nails. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, so ensuring adequate protein intake is crucial for nail growth. Aim for a variety of protein sources such as lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, and nuts.
Fruits and vegetables provide the necessary vitamins and minerals that support nail health. Focus on colourful options, as these tend to be rich in nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. For example, citrus fruits like oranges and strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which promotes collagen production and strengthens nails.
Vitamin A, found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens, helps with cell growth and keeps nails strong and healthy. Dark leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, also provide iron, which is essential for nail health.
Nails that are brittle or weak may indicate a biotin (vitamin B7) deficiency. Taking a biotin supplement or eating biotin-rich foods like eggs, nuts, and seeds can help strengthen nails and promote growth.
In addition to diet, maintaining overall health is crucial for nail growth. This includes staying hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day and moisturising your nails and cuticles regularly. Gentle massage can also promote circulation to the nails, keeping them healthy and strong.
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Take biotin supplements to strengthen nails and prevent breakage
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is an essential vitamin that helps regulate energy metabolism and cellular function. It is a key ingredient in many hair, skin, and nails supplements. While most people don't need to take biotin supplements, certain groups may benefit from them, including those with alcohol use disorder, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with a biotinidase deficiency. Additionally, those taking certain medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, may be at risk of a relative biotin deficiency.
Biotin is essential for nail growth, and a deficiency can lead to brittle nails. However, it's important to note that biotin deficiencies are rare, and there is limited evidence to support the use of biotin supplements for nail health in individuals who are not deficient. Nevertheless, for those who want to try biotin supplements, there are a variety of options available, including softgels, gummies, and liquids. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements, especially if you have a chronic condition or are taking medications.
When choosing a biotin supplement, it is essential to consider the dosage and complementary ingredients that align with your health goals. Some supplements may include additional ingredients like collagen, keratin, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, which are also believed to promote nail health. It is advisable to look for products produced by reputable manufacturers with third-party testing and clinical research to back their claims.
While taking biotin supplements, it is important to be mindful of potential interactions and side effects. In some cases, excessive biotin intake can interfere with vitamin B5 production, leading to oily skin and breakouts. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to your body's individual needs and make informed decisions about supplement usage. Additionally, ensure that you are purchasing from a reputable source to guarantee the accuracy and purity of the product.
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Moisturize nails and cuticles with hand cream, oils, or lotions
Healthy nails are an indicator of good health. However, sometimes our nails aren't as strong as we'd like them to be. Brittle nails may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, chemical exposure, or chronic conditions. To strengthen your nails, you can try various home remedies, such as moisturising your nails and cuticles with hand cream, oils, or lotions.
Moisturising Nails and Cuticles with Hand Cream, Oils, or Lotions
Moisturising your nails and cuticles is essential, especially during the cold winter months when the air is dry and can cause your skin, nails, and cuticles to become dry and cracked. Cuticles, in particular, are living parts of the skin that protect your nails from bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, keeping them moisturised and healthy is crucial.
Before moisturising, prepare your cuticles by soaking your fingers in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes to make them soft and pliable. Then, gently push back your cuticles if they look overgrown or thick, but never use a metal tool to do so. Once your cuticles are prepped, you can choose from a variety of products to moisturise them, such as cuticle cream, oil, or hand cream.
For the best results, opt for cuticle creams containing citric acids, which are effective moisturisers. You can also look for ingredients like petroleum, glycerin, shea butter, or safflower seed oil. These natural moisturisers will nourish your cuticles and hands. If your cuticles are detached, cuticle oil may be a better option as it provides intense hydration, allowing the cuticle to repair itself and reattach to the nail. Cuticle oils are usually made from enriched vegetable oils, flaxseed oil, or citric acids. However, use these oils sparingly, as your cuticles can become accustomed to the deep hydration, making it challenging to switch products in the future.
If your cuticles are cracked, try a more intensive treatment with vitamin E oil or shea butter, which can be found in most drug stores. Additionally, you can use a standard hand cream for quick and easy moisturisation. Look for creams that last through handwashing and suit your preferences, such as those with pleasant scents or non-greasy formulas.
To deeply moisturise your nails and cuticles, you can also apply a thick, heavy cream to your hands and cover them with 100% cotton gloves while you sleep. This routine will ensure that your hands stay moisturised overnight, and you'll wake up to softer hands and cuticles.
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Avoid manicures, harsh nail polishes, and toxic chemicals that can weaken nails
Manicures, certain nail polishes, and exposure to toxic chemicals can all have detrimental effects on your nails, hindering their growth and overall health. Here are some ways in which you can avoid these negative impacts:
Manicures:
While manicures can give your nails a well-groomed appearance, certain practices during a manicure can weaken your nails. For instance, aggressive buffing, especially with electric buffers, can be harmful. Forcefully scraping the nail plate should also be avoided, as it can damage the nail. Additionally, if you opt for gel manicures, never peel or pick at the polish, as this can result in layers of your nail plate peeling off along with the polish, leading to brittle nails.
Nail Polishes:
Different types of nail polishes can have varying effects on your nails due to the chemicals they contain. Some polishes contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. Formaldehyde is a potential cancer-causing agent and can also cause allergic contact dermatitis. The other chemicals mentioned can also lead to allergic contact dermatitis. Moreover, acetone-based nail polish removers can be harsh, drying, and damaging to your nails, skin, and cuticles. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for "five-free" nail polishes that exclude these harmful substances.
Toxic Chemicals:
Studies have shown that chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed into the body. While the exact amount absorbed and its potential negative health effects are not yet fully understood, it underscores the importance of being cautious about what you put on your nails. Additionally, the UV light used to cure gel polish during manicures can contribute to cellular damage, aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. To mitigate this risk, apply sunscreen 20 minutes before the UV treatment or wear fingerless gloves during the process.
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Massage nails with garlic oil or soak in apple cider vinegar to treat fungal infections
Home remedies for nail fungus include garlic oil and apple cider vinegar. While these treatments may not be scientifically proven to cure nail fungus, they are still worth trying due to their lack of side effects.
Garlic is famous for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. To make garlic oil, crush three cloves of garlic into a tablespoon of local raw honey and let the mixture sit for an hour or so before using it. Massage this mixture onto your nails two to three times daily.
Alternatively, you can try apple cider vinegar soaks. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts warm water and soak your nails for at least 30 minutes every day. Apple cider vinegar can also be taken internally to promote overall health and healing from the inside out.
While treating nail fungus, it is important to keep your nails trimmed and the nail bed filed down to reduce pressure and pain. You can also try other essential oils such as tea tree, manuka, lemon balm, and lemon myrtle, which can be applied to the nails using a cotton bud or pad.
If home remedies do not work, it is recommended to consult a doctor or podiatrist, as there may be an underlying condition or infection that requires professional treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no proven way to help nails grow, but there are some home remedies that can strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking, giving them a better chance of healthy growth. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of protein, fruits, and vegetables
- Taking a biotin supplement
- Drinking enough water
- Moisturising your nails with hand cream or oils
- Avoiding manicures, as some techniques can weaken nails
- Gently massaging your nails to promote circulation
To prevent your nails from breaking, you should avoid using them as tools. You should also be careful when filing your nails, as filing in a back-and-forth motion can weaken them. Instead, file them in one direction and be gentle on the sides.
No, applying vitamins directly to your nails is unlikely to help them grow. At best, they will strengthen your nails and prevent them from breaking.
It's important to take care of your nails and maintain their health. You can do this by keeping your nails dry and clean to prevent bacteria from growing beneath them, and by trimming your nails regularly with sharp manicure scissors or clippers.
