Isla Bennett
While there is no scientifically proven method to make nails grow faster, there are several ways to strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking, which gives them the best chance of healthy growth. This includes maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, as well as keeping nails moisturized and groomed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins can contribute to healthier nail growth. Focus on whole fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, leafy greens, and healthy fats via eggs, lean meats, nuts, and salmon. |
| Nail grooming | Keep nails dry and clean, trim nails straight across, and then round the tips into a soft curve. |
| Moisturizing | Moisturize hands and nails with a lotion, especially after washing hands and during winter. |
| Biotin | Biotin is a type of B vitamin that can be consumed as a supplement or through food. It helps strengthen nails. |
| Collagen | Collagen supplements, especially in powder form, can improve nail hydration and elasticity. |
| Oils | Massaging nails and cuticles with nourishing oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil can promote growth and strengthen nails. |
| Filing | Keep nails filed into a slightly rounded or squared shape to prevent snagging and breaking. |
| Gloves | Wear gloves when washing dishes, clothes, and surfaces to protect nails from water and cleaning products. |
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What You'll Learn
Consume vitamins A, E, D, protein, iron, and healthy fats
While there is no scientifically proven method to make your nails grow faster, taking good care of your body through proper nutrition can help them grow strong and long over time. Nails are made of a hard protein called keratin, so it is important to ensure you are consuming enough protein.
Protein can be found in animal sources such as beef, poultry, fish, and eggs, which are also rich sources of zinc, a mineral required for the healthy growth of nails. Certain plant foods also pack a good amount of protein and zinc, including soy, chickpeas, black beans, nuts (almonds and cashews), and seeds.
Iron is another important nutrient for nail health, as it provides cells with adequate oxygen, which is necessary for healthy nails. You can obtain heme iron from animal sources such as meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Non-heme iron, on the other hand, is found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Consuming vitamin C-rich foods alongside plant-based iron sources improves absorption. For example, consider eating oranges and strawberries with a spinach salad that includes beans and seeds.
Vitamin A is another critical fat-soluble vitamin that helps maintain vision, body growth, immune function, and reproductive health. Good sources of vitamin A include vegetables such as carrots and squash, fruits like apricots and watermelon, and animal products like beef, chicken, clams, and butter.
Vitamin E, found in nuts and legumes, is another important vitamin that may offer benefits for certain subgroups of the general population. For instance, a trial of high-dose vitamin E in Israel showed a marked reduction in heart disease among people with type 2 diabetes who had a common genetic predisposition for greater oxidative stress.
Vitamin D is important for strong bones and overall health. While it can be hard to obtain sufficient vitamin D from natural food sources, certain foods like mushrooms, seafood, and dairy products are good sources of this vitamin.
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Moisturise hands and nails
While there is no proven way to make nails grow faster, moisturising your hands and nails can improve their appearance and ensure the nail and surrounding skin stays healthy. This is especially important during the winter months, after washing your hands, and after swimming or showering.
The nail is 1000 times more permeable to water than the skin, so water exposure can weaken the nail's structure and compromise its ability to retain hydration. Therefore, it is important to wear gloves when washing dishes, clothes, and surfaces to prevent water or cleaning products from sitting on top of your nails.
When choosing a moisturiser, you can use your regular hand cream, or opt for nail- and cuticle-specific creams and oils. Dermatologists recommend rubbing petroleum jelly, vitamin E, or cuticle cream into your cuticles at night. Oils, especially those with sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil, absorb into the nail better than creams and increase nail flexibility while combating dryness. Moisturisers with urea, phospholipids, or lactic acid will help prevent cracking.
In addition to your choice of moisturiser, your diet can also play a role in nail health. To prevent dry and brittle nails, eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, soy, eggs, and seeds.
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Avoid harsh nail products
While there is no proven way to make your nails grow faster, you can take good care of them to help them grow stronger and longer over time. This involves avoiding harsh nail products that can damage your nails and skin.
Acrylic nails, for example, often contain harsh chemicals like acrylates, which can cause allergic reactions such as redness, itching, and swelling. Repeated use of these products can lead to contact dermatitis, a common skin irritation caused by certain chemicals in nail products. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor and consider switching to hypoallergenic nail products or alternative methods like gel nails, dip powders, or press-ons with gentler adhesives.
Glue-on artificial nails should also be avoided as they can weaken real nails and make them more prone to breaking. Instead, opt for nail polishes with little to no toxic chemicals, such as water-based, non-toxic formulations that are toxin-free. Some popular non-toxic nail polish brands include Acquarella and Suncoat.
Additionally, limit the use of harsh nail polish removers like acetone, as they can be drying and damaging to your nails, skin, and cuticles. If acetone is your only option, avoid soaking your nails in it. Instead, gently rub it onto your nails, then thoroughly wash and moisturize your hands afterward.
Remember, the key to promoting nail growth is to focus on limiting damage rather than expecting faster growth. By avoiding harsh nail products and maintaining a well-balanced diet, you can improve the health and appearance of your nails, making them stronger and less prone to breakage.
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Take biotin supplements
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an essential nutrient that supports your metabolism by helping your body convert food into energy. It may also help keep your skin, nails, and hair healthy. While there is little evidence that biotin supplements will help nails grow faster, some people claim that taking a biotin supplement helps boost nail growth and strengthen brittle nails.
Several human studies suggest that taking a daily biotin supplement can help strengthen nails. For example, a recent Swiss study demonstrated a 25% increase in nail plate thickness in patients with brittle nails who received biotin supplementation. Of the patients who took daily supplementation, 63% showed clinical improvement, while 37% reported no change in their condition.
If you are considering taking any kind of supplement for nail health, always consult your dermatologist first. Biotin supplements should always be taken under medical supervision. The adequate intake of biotin for adults is 30 micrograms per day, but dosages will vary depending on the patient and the severity of their biotin deficiency. For instance, in certain cases, treatment could require taking a dosage of biotin supplements as high as 10 mg per day.
It's important to note that most people get adequate biotin through a healthy diet. Biotin-rich foods include eggs, seeds, nuts, meat, and fish. Adult daily multivitamins and prenatal vitamins typically contain 100% of the recommended daily value for biotin.
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File nails correctly
While there is no scientifically proven method for making nails grow faster, taking good care of your nails can help them grow stronger and longer over time. One way to do this is by filing your nails correctly. Filing your nails helps to prevent them from snagging and breaking, which can impact nail growth.
To file your nails correctly, use a glass nail file if possible, as this will give you a very smooth file. Move the nail file in one direction as you smooth the nail to the desired shape, such as oval, almond, square, or squoval. Start at the edges and file towards the centre. Avoid "sawing" the file back and forth, as this will cause snags and tears. When you have finished filing, buff your nails with a nail buffer to smooth out the edges.
It is recommended that you keep your nails filed into a slightly rounded or squared shape. This will help prevent them from snagging and breaking. Filing your nails correctly can also discourage nail biting and picking, which can also impact nail growth.
In addition to filing your nails correctly, it is important to keep your nails moisturized. Nails can become dry and brittle when they lack moisture, so be sure to moisturize your hands and nails regularly, especially during the winter months and after washing your hands.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no proven way to make nails grow faster. However, you can strengthen your nails to prevent them from breaking, giving them the best chance of healthy growth. You can try massaging your nails and cuticles with oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil. Keeping your hands and nails moisturized is also important, especially during the winter months or after washing your hands.
Nail grooming can help boost the strength of your nails and reduce breakage. Keep your nails clean, dry, and filed into a rounded or slightly squared shape. Trim your nails straight across and then round the tips into a soft curve.
Yes, a well-balanced diet will make the skin and nails strong. Eating whole fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, leafy greens, and healthy fats like eggs, lean meats, nuts, and salmon can contribute to stronger nails. You should also focus on ingesting nutrients such as vitamins A, E, and D, protein, biotin, omega-3s, iron, and zinc.
Artificial nails can weaken real nails and make them more prone to breaking. This is due to the glue and adhesive used to apply them. Gel nails are a better option as they are less durable and less prone to breaking. If you do opt for artificial nails, make sure to have them removed by a professional.
