Liam Carter
Nails are made of keratin, a tough protein that protects the soft tissue beneath them. They grow from the nail matrix, which is the root of the nail, and injuries or health conditions can damage this matrix, affecting how nails look or grow. If the nail matrix is not damaged, the nail will typically regrow, but the entire nail needs to grow out. Fingernails can take 3-6 months to regrow, while toenails can take 6 months to 2 years. In cases of severe damage to the nail matrix, some or all of the nail may not grow back, and surgery may be required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail regeneration capacity | Good |
| Fingernail regrowth time | 3-6 months |
| Toenail regrowth time | 6 months to 2 years |
| Factors affecting regrowth speed | Age, climate, hand dominance, health, hormones, injury, trauma, nutrition |
| Nail composition | Protein, fat |
| Nail growth site | Nail matrix (root of the nail) |
| Nail matrix composition | Keratinocytes |
| Nail matrix damage | Treatable, rarely permanent |
| Nail bed damage | Treatable, surgery may be required |
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What You'll Learn
Nail matrix damage can prevent regrowth
The nail matrix is the "factory" where your body makes new fingernails and toenails. It is responsible for nail growth and regeneration of the nail bed. The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. About 90% of your nail growth comes from your germinal matrix, which is located under the base of your nail. The remaining 10% of cells that make up your nails come from the sterile matrix, which lies underneath your nail and is responsible for keeping your nail attached to the underlying skin.
A healthy nail matrix is essential for healthy nails. However, injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow. Mechanical injuries are a common cause of nail matrix damage, such as a strong blow or crushing injury to the fingertip. Improper nail care procedures, such as cuticle picking or cutting, can also lead to matrix damage. In some cases, severe nail matrix damage may result in permanent damage, preventing some or all of the nail from growing back.
Proper medical care can help treat nail matrix injuries and promote healing. With the right treatment, healthy nails can often grow back. It is important to seek prompt treatment for nail injuries to ensure the broken nail grows back smoothly and to prevent infection. In severe cases of nail bed damage, surgery may be necessary to repair the nail bed and aid in nail regrowth.
While it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, it is possible to live an active life without a fingernail or toenail. If nail matrix damage occurs, it is important to protect the affected finger or toe during physical activity and to be cautious when performing activities that could further injure the nails.
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Fingernails and toenails are made of protein and fat
The nail matrix, located under the base of the nail, is the "factory" where new fingernails and toenails are made. It consists of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix. The nail matrix produces 196 layers of cells that combine to form each fingernail and toenail.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix, affecting nail growth. However, with proper treatment, healthy nails can grow back. If a nail falls off, it usually grows back with proper medical care. Severe damage to the nail matrix may prevent the nail from growing back, but this is rare.
It is important to note that the entire nail needs to grow out if a layer is damaged. Taking care of your nails by trimming and filing them regularly can help prevent injuries. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet with sufficient protein, biotin, and antioxidants like vitamin C can contribute to strong nails.
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Nails grow at different rates
The exact mechanisms that control the speed of nail growth are unknown. However, it is established that several factors influence the rate at which nails grow. These include which finger the nail is on, handedness, age, width of the nail, overall health, and hormone levels.
Finger
The 2007 study found that the fingernail on the little finger grows slower than other fingernails. Similarly, a user on Reddit reported that their thumbs grow twice as fast as their other fingers.
Handedness
The nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster. This may be because the thumb and index finger on the non-dominant hand are naturally filed down due to use.
Age
Nail growth is said to peak during puberty and decline as hormone levels balance out with age. Dr. William Bean observed that his left thumbnail grew at a rate of 0.123 mm per day when he was 23 years old. By the time he was 67, this rate had dropped to 0.095 mm per day.
Width of the nail
A user on Reddit mentioned that the width of the nail is correlated with the growth rate. They observed that their thumb, with the largest width, grew the fastest, followed by the pointer, middle, index, and then pinky fingers.
Overall health
Certain injuries and illnesses can damage the nail matrix and affect how nails grow. However, with proper treatment, healthy nails can grow back.
Hormone levels
Hormones can also affect nail growth rates. For example, pregnancy has been associated with rapid nail growth.
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Nails can be permanently deformed
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow. For example, dystrophic nails are deformed, thickened, or discolored nails that can result from toenail fungus, skin conditions, or trauma to the nail or nail bed. Similarly, nail bed injuries are common and can result in deformities if not properly managed. The most common cause of acute and chronic nail bed deformity is trauma, which can occur from industrial injuries, road traffic accidents, or sports-related incidents.
In less severe cases, proper treatment can help restore healthy nail growth. If only the top layer of the nail bed is damaged, it will likely grow back on its own. However, more severe damage may require surgery or the use of artificial nail beds to aid in nail regrowth. With proper medical care, even if a nail falls off, it usually grows back.
It is important to note that any changes in the appearance of your nails, such as discoloration or nail separation, may indicate an underlying health condition. While nail abnormalities can be caused by injury, infection, or other factors, consulting a doctor is advisable to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Nail bed damage can be repaired with surgery
The nail bed is the fleshy area located beneath the nail plate. It is composed of tightly packed cells called keratinocytes, which are constantly shed and replaced. The nail bed provides nutrients and support for the nail plate and helps to protect the sensitive tissue beneath.
Injuries to the nail bed can often result in damage to the nail plate, causing it to become misshapen or discoloured. Nail bed injuries are usually caused when a fingertip is crushed in a closing door or when the digits get crushed between heavy objects. They are the most common hand injury in children, and more than 10,000 nail bed repairs are performed in the UK each year.
Whether or not a nail bed can grow back after being damaged depends on the extent of the damage. If only the top layer of the nail bed is damaged, it is likely that it will grow back on its own. However, if the damage is more severe, such as a complete loss of the nail bed, surgery may be necessary to repair it. In some cases, doctors may use artificial nail beds to help the nails grow back.
Nail bed repair surgery involves numbing the whole finger and removing the nail to provide access to the nail bed, followed by repair with dissolvable stitches. In adults, this can be done under local anaesthesia, but young children will typically require general anaesthesia. Nearly all (96%) surgeons remove the nail, stitch the cut beneath it, and put the dead nail back on. This is thought to protect the repair, reduce infections, and reduce pain when dressings are changed. However, recent research suggests that discarding the fingernail during nail bed repair surgery may be as good as replacing the dead nail and could save money. The average cost in the 4–12 months after surgery was £75 more for the nail replacement group than the nail discard group, mostly due to additional stitches and longer operating times.
It typically takes a long time for the nail to recover after nail bed repair surgery. You can expect a new but abnormal nail by 3 months, and the return of a normal nail can take around 9 months.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails do not grow back in layers. Instead, the whole nail needs to grow out. The nail matrix, the "factory" where your body makes new nails, will regenerate the nail as long as it is not permanently damaged.
It takes about 3-6 months for fingernails to grow back and 6 months to 2 years for toenails. The rate of regrowth depends on various factors, such as age, overall health, and the reason for nail loss.
To aid in the regrowth of your nails, it is recommended to maintain a well-rounded diet and good general health. Additionally, you can protect your nails by wearing gloves during activities that may cause nail injuries, such as gardening or housework.
