How To Grow Long Strong Nails
This article was co-authored by Lindsay Yoshitomi. Lindsay Yoshitomi is the nail artist behind the blog, Lacquered Lawyer. She was featured as one of Nail It! magazines Bloggers You Should Know, and has been on the cover of Nail Art Gallery Magazine. She has been practicing nail art for over 15 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 101 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,258,100 times.
Growing long and strong nails is a multi-step process. As long as you take good care of your nails, you can grow them to the length you desire. You need to start by making sure you stop bad nail habits. After that, taking appropriate vitamins and manicuring properly will help you grow long, strong nails.
Receive A Professional Treatment
When your nail is too far gone for any at-home hacks, Idehen recommends receiving a professional treatment like the IBX Nail Strengthening System.
“It’s like a Keratin treatment for your nails,” says Idehen. “It uses protein and hydrating oils fill in all the areas of damage on your nail, resulting in a much healthier nail even after one service!”
How Can I Make My Nails Grow Faster Using Home Remedies
Your nails can tell a lot about your overall health. Your doctor can diagnose several health conditions, such as anemia, lung diseases, liver diseases, psoriasis, heart failure, and kidney diseases by examining your nails. Your nails are made up of a protein called keratin that is also found in your hair and the outer layer of the skin. The nails are not mere external appendages, their growth starts deeper from a structure known as the nail root, which is present under the skin. The nail root derives its nourishment through the blood vessels present underneath. Hence, apart from external care, proper nutrition is essential for the adequate health and growth of the nails.
Your nails grow slowly at the rate of around 2.5 mm a month. There are no scientifically proven methods to cause faster nail growth. Several remedies, however, exist to enhance the health of your nails. If you feel your nails have become too brittle or have changed in some way, you must consult your doctor so that any possible underlying conditions may be ruled out. Always consult your doctor before trying any home remedies to enhance the growth of your nails. Some of the tips and home remedies that may help enhance the health of your nails and possibly help you keep them long include:
Although these home remedies may be tried, do not hesitate from seeking a doctorâs help if:
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Try A More Natural Nail Polish
Quashie recommends giving ‘free from’ varnishes a go, which purposefully exclude any potentially toxic chemicals. ‘In terms of natural credentials, the scale runs from “three-free” all the way up to “13-free”, which means that brand does not have any of the most commonly used chemicals that have been identified as potentially harmful in their varnishes.’
So, which brands to go for? ‘Some great ‘free-from’ brands are Kure Bazaar, Nailberry and Butter London some of the larger brands such as Nails Inc and Orly are bringing out similar formulas too.’
When To See A Doctor
Nail health generally can be improved with proper, constant care, but always consult a doctor if the problem persists as it may signify an underlying condition.
Consider consulting your doctor if you notice the following symptoms in your nails:
- Discoloration
- Dark streak under the nail
- Pink and white gradation of nails
- Yellowing
- Detachment from the surrounding skin
- Pain
- Pus
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Become A Nail Filing Master
Go with a soft nail file to keep the edges of your nails smooth, says Dr. Klein. With rougher grains, you run the risk of making tears in the nail, which can lead to peeling and hangnails.
File your nails in one direction, using long and swift strokes. Back and forth see-saw motions will cause the nail to splinter, says Dr. Solomon, who recommends using the Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator 4-Way Nail Buffer.
The micro-fiber material its made from is very gentle on the nails, but still manages to achieve a clean shape, she says.
Consider Popping Biotin Supplements
Its yet to be proven without a doubt, but biotin may help to strengthen hair and nails. Because its water-soluble, it isnt stored by the body, so you have to ensure that you consume it daily, says Dr. Solomon.
Generally, most adults should be getting 30 micrograms of biotin daily, according to the National Institutes of Health. The typical recommended supplemental dose is roughly up to 3,000 mcg daily for six months, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but your doctor may recommend less or more, depending on your personal health.
If theres no improvement in nail strength by that time, odds are biotin is unlikely to be helpful. But if your nails do become stronger and you decide to make biotin supplementation a regular thing, make sure you stop taking them a few days before getting any lab tests done, as large amounts of biotin in your system can skew test results.
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Change Your Daily Habits
Adjusting your daily habits can also help your nails grow stronger over time. “Be gentle with your nails and try to minimize using your nails as tools to open things,” says Dr. Garshick. “Try to keep your nails trimmed so they don’t snag on things which may make them more susceptible to breakage.” Another tip is to avoid exposing hands to water for a prolonged period of time. If you’re washing dishes, for example, she says to wear gloves.
Dr. Graf agrees and lists other habits such as eating a well-balanced diet , avoiding nail-biting, and taking breaks from using nail polish can also help the health of your nails. She adds that some abnormalities to the nail are harmless texture and color can change temporarily if you’ve been wearing fake nails or polish for a while. But if areas around the nail start to hurt, change in color for a long period of time, bleed, swell, or separate from the skin, then consult a professional.
Use A Cuticle Oil Daily
According to Ama Quashie, session manicurist and founder of Ama salon, the secret to growing your best nails is: hydration, hydration, hydration. ‘To have strong nails, they need to be healthy and to be healthy, they need to be hydrated,’ she says. ‘Cuticle oil works by hydrating the cuticle and nail bed, which is why it’s such an important step in nail care, whether you’re growing your nails or simply want them to look their best.’
Her favourites? Skip the pricey branded bottles and opt instead for organic Dadi oil or a simple jojoba: they’ll do the job just as well and don’t cost the earth.
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Treat Hangnails With Care
We’ve all been there: a little hangnail we think will tear away easily ends up taking half of our nail off with it, leaving it half the size it was before. Not only does this process shorten your nail, but it will damage the delicate layers it’s composed of too.
We know it can be tempting to pull these annoying tears straight off, but you’ll do much more damage than good in the process.
If you’re committed to getting long nails, be sure to carry a nail file in your handbag at all times, and you’ll never have to deal with the mess – or pain – of a torn hangnail again.
Eat More Foods That Promote Strong Nails
Avoid yo-yo dieting, which can lead to vitamin deficiencies that may put the strength of your nails in jeopardy. Make sure you eat enough protein and calcium too, which are thought to promote nail health, says Robin Evans, MD, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Loading up on biotin-rich foods, such as veggies, eggs, and nuts, may also help.
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Avoid Harsh Soaps And Cleansers
While you should be washing your hands more often than usual now, Gohara recommends staying away from harsh soaps and cleansers as they can further weaken and irritate nails. Gohara, who has a partnership with Dove, loves using the brand’s Foaming Hand Wash as a gentle option. We also love Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, which smells like freshly squeezed lemonade.
Pick The Right Emery Board
Regular filing is essential to keep nails strong, prevent tears, and promote growth.
An ideal emery board shouldn’t be too rough, as this can lead to small fissures and cracks that cause your nail to tear. Instead, go for something semi-smooth that can be used to gently and slowly file your nail down into the desired shape.
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Use Nail Hardeners Periodically
You can also use nail lacquers known as nail strengtheners, nail hardeners, and fortifying nail builders to help restructure and strengthen your nails. These strengthening varnishes contain jojoba oil, camellia oil, or kukui nut oil and form a hard, thick, shiny coat on your nails to help prevent nail damage.
You can also use serum strengtheners containing lactic acid, cationic hyaluronic acid, silicone, calcium, methylsulfonylmethane, bamboo extracts, wheat protein, saccharide isomerate, celery seed extract, and urea. These ingredients are absorbed by the nail, providing moisturization.
Also, the application of hydroxypropyl chitosan nail lacquer has been shown to improve nail structures and protect them from physical nail injuries.
Avoid the use of nail hardeners that contain parabens and formaldehyde as they can harm your nails, often causing conditions such as chromonychia, onycholysis, hyperkeratosis, and subungual hemorrhage.
In addition, make sure to use the OTC nail-strengthening hardeners for only a short time and sparingly. If you need nail hardeners for long-term use, consult your doctor for prescription solutions that moisturize the nails while strengthening them.
Apply Cuticle Oil Daily
Cuticle care is always a good idea, problem nails or not. That’s because dehydrated, frayed cuticles can lead to damaged nailbeds and infection if they’re left untreated rehydrating and moisturizing that surrounding skin is key for top-notch nail care. Add a cuticle oil to your daily routine: Many options include fatty acids and vitamins that nourish the nails and fill in any micro-cracks in the skin.
While using the dropper daily is enough to keep nails healthy, chief educator of Paintbox Evelyn Lim says you can use a cuticle oil up to three times a day if your tips are feeling especially dehydrated . “Apply cuticle oil at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Why not?”
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Easy Ways To Strengthen Your Nails
In this article:
Strong, healthy nails not only can make your hands look good but also can indicate good health and prevent discomfort. They are characterized by a smooth texture and uniform color, devoid of any pits and discoloration.
However, dryness, dullness, pits, dents, vertical ridges, discoloration, and weakness in the nails are common problems. Unhealthy nails break easily and it is difficult to grow them. Neglected nails also may turn yellow due to vitamin deficiencies or fungal infections.
Poor nail strength is often a result of aging, as with time, the production of keratin slows down. Since keratin is a major protein in nails , a lack of it can make your nails weak, dry, and dull.
Weak nails may also result from medical conditions such as psoriasis, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, and Raynauds syndrome. In addition, nail care is often overlooked, which, when combined with constant exposure to extreme weather, chemicals, and excessive hand washing, can increase the problem of weak nails.
Keep Them On The Shorter Side
If youre having trouble with weak nails, consider cutting down the length while you build up their strength, suggests Dr. Solomon. Shorter nails are less prone to breaking because there are fewer exposed edges to tear, and less surface area where water and chemicals can be absorbed. Once trimmed, prevent snags by gently rounding the edges with a nail file.
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How To Grow Your Nails
A set of natural-looking nails are something most women dream of…and today we’re going to help you make this dream a reality!
Learning how to grow your nails goes way beyond polishes and filing. The nail is a complex thing and in order for it to grow and strengthen, it must be cared for and nourished correctly.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally posted in August 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2019.
What Are The Parts Of A Nail
Knowledge equals power and nails are no different. A better understanding of the different parts of your nail means a better understanding of what they require to grow and long and strong.
Your nail might look like one solid sheet, but it’s actually made up of several different parts and layers. The layers are made of a protein called Keratin, which is also a component of hair and skin. The half-moon at the base of your nail is called the Lunula, and the slither of white that lines the top of your nail is the free edge.
We’ll discuss the matrix and cuticle in more detail later on.
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How Can I Make My Nails Stronger Naturally
Beautiful woman hands are on a towel
How can I make my nails stronger naturally?
Nails are among the thinnest tissues in the body. They do not contain nerves and blood vessels, so they get their nutrients from the tissues surrounding them. Daily use of nail polish can make nails weak, brittle and thin. To strengthen your nails naturally, avoid using nail polish as much as possible and use a base coat before applying your polish. For those who must clean their nails, removing the old polish every two to three days, applying a nourishing cuticle oil or hand lotion to nails before bed, and wearing gloves during house chores that involve water will all help keep nails strong and healthy.
To strengthen your nails further, try these at-home remedies:
Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice and three teaspoons of olive oil. Apply the mixture to nails and leave it on for 10 minutes. Repeat daily until you see results .
For severely weak or damaged nails, apply 100% pure castor oil to nails after soaking in warm water for 5 minutes. Leave the oil on for an hour or overnight. Wash off with soap and water. You can repeat this treatment several times a week until you see results.
After soaking your nails in warm water for five minutes, massage fingernails and cuticles with a mixture of castor oil and lemon juice.
Boil two tablespoons of chamomile tea in two cups of water. Allow it to cool, then soak nails in the solution for several minutes. Repeat daily until you see results.
Invest In A ‘soft’ Nail File
You might have heard that glass nail files are better for filing with, but while they’re pretty, longer-wearing and easy to clean, it pays to invest in a ‘soft’ file, according to Session Manicurist, Ami Streets.
‘To get the best finish from your filing, always opt for a soft file to prevent tearing or splitting your nails,’ she says. Her top picks? ‘Orly’s nail file is probably one of best I’ve used because of the durability and the way it gives the smoothest finish really fast.’
‘Pro products are always best and usually more hard wearing. I really like the Natural Nail Company because you can choose a file depending on whether your nails are soft or hard, and there are even options for acrylics.’
What’s more, you really need to nail your filing technique. Back and forth see-saw motions will only cause the nail to splinter, so always file in one direction, using long, swift but gentle strokes.
Pro Tip: ‘Start from the outside edge and move into the centre,’ advises Streets. ‘This technique will give you a smooth finish and more control over the shape you’re trying to achieve.’
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Don’t Cut Or Manipulate Cuticles
Whether you have your nails professionally groomed or do them yourself, the No. 1 recommendation is leave your cuticles alone, says Dana Stern, MD, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
“The cuticle is the natural barrier to fungus and bacteria — and once you breach that, protection is lost,” she says. This will not only make cuticles look worse — red, swollen, and ragged — but may also land you a nasty infection that harms the nail bed and leads to permanent nail damage. And while cutting cuticles holds the most potential for harm, pushing them back can cause problems as well.
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