Isla Bennett
Having long, healthy nails is a common beauty goal, but it can be challenging to achieve and maintain. Several factors can affect nail growth, including age, hormones, and nutritional deficiencies. While you can't make your nails grow faster, there are many things you can do to support their health and strength, such as taking supplements like biotin or prenatal vitamins, using nail hardeners, and maintaining a healthy diet. Additionally, proper nail care and grooming techniques, such as regular moisturization, avoiding nail biting, and using the right tools for trimming, can help prevent breakage and encourage stronger, longer nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | A well-balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, adequate carbohydrates, and healthy fats |
| Vitamins | Prenatal vitamins, hair, skin and nails vitamins, biotin, and complete multivitamins |
| Nail Care Products | Non-toxic nail polishes, cuticle oil, nail strengthener, base coat, top coat, nail hardeners |
| Nail Grooming | Keeping nails dry and clean, trimming nails straight and rounding the tips, moisturising hands and nails, wearing gloves when doing tasks involving water |
| Avoiding Nail Damage | Avoiding nail biting, cutting nails too short, and using nails for simple tasks |
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What You'll Learn
Maintain a healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for promoting nail growth and overall nail health. Here are some dietary tips to help you achieve stronger and healthier nails:
Firstly, ensure that you're consuming a well-balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. These provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote nail health and protect your nails from damage caused by free radicals. Aim for a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables to obtain a diverse range of nutrients.
In addition to a plant-based diet, include lean sources of protein in your meals. Protein is essential for nail growth and strength as it provides the structural building blocks for your nails. Choose lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts to get adequate high-quality protein.
Consuming healthy fats is also beneficial for nail growth. Incorporate foods like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fats help nourish your nails and keep them moisturised, reducing the likelihood of breakage.
Carbohydrates are another important component of a healthy diet for nail growth. Include an adequate amount of carbohydrates in your diet, such as whole grains, quinoa, and sweet potatoes. These foods provide energy and essential nutrients that support nail health.
Lastly, consider taking dietary supplements to boost your nail health. Multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, or specific hair, skin, and nail vitamins can help ensure you're getting all the necessary nutrients for nail growth. Biotin, in particular, is known to promote faster nail growth, although it may not necessarily make your nails stronger.
Remember, a healthy diet is a cornerstone of healthy nail growth. By incorporating these dietary tips and maintaining a balanced approach to nutrition, you'll be well on your way to achieving stronger and longer nails.
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Use non-toxic nail polish
Using non-toxic nail polish is a great way to promote nail growth while still achieving a polished look. Conventional nail polishes can be one of the most toxic beauty products, with a host of harmful chemicals that can enter the body through your nail beds. These chemicals include formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which have been linked to various health issues, including allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Toluene, for instance, is known to cause reproductive harm and dizziness and is also found in gasoline. Formaldehyde, on the other hand, is a known carcinogen used to preserve dead matter, and DBP has been banned in Europe due to its reputation for causing reproductive issues.
To avoid exposure to these toxins, opt for non-toxic nail polishes that are free from harmful chemicals. These polishes are often labelled as 3-free, 7-free, 10-free, or even up to 16-free, indicating the number of toxic chemicals they exclude. For instance, the brand Pacifica offers a 16-free vegan nail polish that is long-lasting and easy to apply, according to reviewers. Similarly, Sundays' 10-free polish is another vegan option that dries quickly and resists chipping.
Some non-toxic nail polishes are formulated with nourishing ingredients that promote nail health. Dr. Garshick notes that certain polishes contain vitamins, minerals, and strengthening agents, such as biotin, keratin, argan oil, and vitamin E, which can help strengthen nails, reduce brittleness, and promote growth. Essie's Good as New Nail Perfector, enriched with ceramides, is one such example that improves the appearance of damaged nails while providing a sheer pink finish. Ten Over Ten is another brand that incorporates essential oils, vitamin E, and aloe to nourish nails while offering a range of colours.
When choosing a non-toxic nail polish, be mindful of your specific needs and preferences. Some polishes are designed to be quick-drying and durable, like Nailtopia's lacquers, which can last up to 12 days on toenails and 7 days on fingernails. Other brands, like Poofy Organics, offer a wide range of colours—over 100 options—free of toxic chemicals. Acquarella is another non-toxic option with no strong smell, although some users have reported issues with the polish turning thick over time when not properly stored.
In addition to these options, there are other natural and cruelty-free brands to explore, such as ella+mila, which offers pretty colours and long-lasting wear. Kapa Nui, a small Hawaiian company, also provides a well-rated nail treatment and polish kit that promotes nail growth and lasts longer than some salon manicures. By opting for these non-toxic alternatives, you can support nail growth and maintain healthy nails without sacrificing style.
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Keep nails clean and dry
Keeping your nails clean and dry is an important step in maintaining nail health and encouraging growth. Here are some tips to keep your nails in top condition:
Firstly, it is essential to keep your nails dry. While washing your hands is important for hygiene, prolonged exposure to water can negatively impact your nails. Try to avoid soaking your hands or nails for extended periods. If you need to immerse your hands in water, consider wearing gloves to protect your nails from excessive moisture. This is especially important when doing household chores such as washing dishes or cleaning, as these activities can cause your nails to become weak and brittle over time.
Additionally, maintaining clean nails is crucial. Regularly washing your hands helps remove dirt and bacteria that can accumulate under your nails. Make sure to clean under your nails properly, as this is where bacteria are most likely to hide. Keeping your nails short and trimmed can also aid in maintaining cleanliness, as longer nails tend to trap more dirt and bacteria. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to trim your nails straight across, then gently round the tips into a soft curve.
It is also beneficial to incorporate nail care products into your routine. Nail and cuticle oils, such as jojoba oil, can help strengthen your nails and improve their overall health. Applying these oils regularly, especially before exposing your nails to water, can create a protective barrier that locks in moisture and prevents excessive dryness. Cuticle remover can also be used to soften and maintain healthy cuticles.
Finally, it is worth noting that while keeping your nails clean and dry is essential, it is equally crucial to ensure proper hydration. Nails that are too dry are more prone to breakage and splitting. Moisturize your hands and nails regularly with a hand lotion or cream, paying extra attention to the cuticle area. This will help keep your nails hydrated, flexible, and less likely to break.
By following these tips, you can effectively maintain the cleanliness and dryness of your nails while promoting their growth and overall health.
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Take vitamins and supplements
While consuming a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients through food is the best way to improve and maintain nail health, taking supplements may be beneficial in certain circumstances. Scientific research on the effectiveness of supplements is limited, and biotin supplements are the only type shown to have a possible positive effect on nail health. Biotin is most concentrated in organ meats such as liver, but it can also be found in egg yolk, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and even cauliflower. Biotin supplements may help restore brittle nails, and one study found that taking a biotin supplement for six months increased nail thickness by 25%.
Zinc is another important nutrient for nail health, as it is required for the healthy growth of nails and the replication of cells. Animal proteins are a great way to consume adequate zinc through your diet, and certain plant foods also pack this mineral. The biotic cultures, zinc, and selenium found in healthy gut supplements have been found to strengthen nails.
Folate, a B-vitamin, helps create healthy red blood cells, which means an increased ability to get oxygen and nutrients to nail beds. Deficiencies in folate can lead to nail discolourations or cause ridges in your nails. The recommended daily allowance for folate in adults is 400mcg daily, and it can be found in beef liver, spinach, black-eyed peas, fortified breakfast cereals, asparagus, and brussels sprouts.
Vitamin B12 plays a role in iron absorption and the development of red blood cells, both of which are necessary for keeping nails strong and healthy. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in nail discolouration.
Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, which lends nails their strength, shape, and resistance to breakage. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C in adults is 90mg daily for males or 75mg daily for females, with an additional 35mg if you are a smoker. Vitamin C can be found in red and green bell peppers, orange juice, oranges, grapefruit juice, kiwi, and broccoli.
If you are experiencing issues with nail growth or health, it is important to first address any vitamin deficiencies through diet or supplements. However, keep in mind that supplements are not a miracle cure, and if your brittle nails are caused by something other than a vitamin deficiency, you may not notice any change.
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Moisturise your hands and nails
Keeping your hands and nails moisturised is an important step in achieving healthy nails. The best way to do this is by using a lotion or cream, which you can carry with you and apply throughout the day. You can also use natural oils, such as jojoba oil, coconut oil or olive oil, to strengthen your nails and prevent them from becoming brittle.
It is recommended to use a lotion or oil that contains keratin, as this will help to improve the health of your nails. You can also buy or make your own lotions and oils with added scents if you prefer. When applying lotion, pay special attention to your fingernails, especially the cuticles, and make sure to rub it in well.
It is important to keep your nails hydrated, especially if you wash your hands frequently. You can also protect your nails by wearing gloves when doing tasks such as cleaning or washing dishes, as water can be damaging to your nails.
In addition to external moisture, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, which will benefit your overall health as well as your nails. Taking a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin can also help to improve nail growth and strength.
Frequently asked questions
Some home remedies to help nails grow include taking biotin supplements, using nail hardeners, and applying cuticle oil regularly.
Some good habits to grow your nails include keeping your nails dry and clean, using a glass nail file instead of clippers, and avoiding glue-on artificial nails.
A healthy and well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats can contribute to stronger and faster-growing nails.
Some products that can help nails grow include prenatal vitamins, hair, skin, and nail vitamins, and nail strengtheners.
