How To Make Your Nails Grow Stronger And Faster
Always dreamed and longed for stronger nails? Whether youre looking to try out new nail art or a classic manicure, extra length is key but you want to make sure that you have a strong foundation first. Its time to say bye to dry brittle nails. Read our expert tips to find out how to make your nails grow faster, stronger, and healthier for good.
Take Care Of Your Nails
It’s simple, to make your nails grow faster, you need to take care of them. First stop any picking, pushing, and biting as soon as you can. Fingernails tend to grow between 3-4mm a month on average, so make sure to trim and file them regularly to promote healthy growth and prevent snags. When you file we recommend always going in one direction with smooth strokes. Going back and forth can cause fraying and can lead to breaking. You may want to schedule a routine manicure to help with this if you feel as if your filing skills are not up to par.
Love Your Cuticles
Remember this: healthy cuticles equal healthy nails. If your cuticles are dry, it can lead to breakage. Look for cuticle oil rich in moisturizing lightweight oils such as grape seed, almond, or sunflower oils. Luckily, Digits And Spikes Nail Studio has you covered. We carry standard and mini size cuticle oils thatlock in moisture, preserves the cuticle seal, and strengthens the nail itself. Pro tip: massage in the oil in your cuticles at the matrix to stimulate blood flow and help your nails grow faster.
Eat Right
Try Our Healthy Nail Transformation
Strengthen From The Inside Out
Along with addressing nails from the outside, all the experts we spoke with agreed that the right supplements can help strengthen your tips from the inside, out. One good option? Collagen. An essential protein for hair, skin, and nails, ingestible collagen peptides are easily incorporated into your daily routine and can help promote healthy nails.
“Collagen has really made a difference in the health of my nails. They feel resilient and stronger,” says Holford. Try: NeoCell Super Collagen;Powder. Another good option? Biotin. The B vitamin is one of Tuttle’s top picks for strengthening nails. Choi adds that along with supplements, you can also get these internal benefits by focusing on incorporating biotin-rich and collagen-synthesizing foods in your diet, such as salmon, avocados, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and nuts and seeds.
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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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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.
Be Mindful Of Your Polish Choices
Make sure the polishes you use contain nourishing, conditioning ingredients rather than drying additives like formaldehyde, camphor, and toluene. Since the polishes are sitting on your nail for a week at a time, it’s vital that they’re not actively weakening the proteins while doing so. And if you have a favorite shade that isn’t 7-free or higher? Well, at the very least make sure you are using a clean base coat as that’s what’s touching the nail. Try sundays’ B.01 Hydrating Base Coat.;
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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.
Keep Them Short And Sweet
Round-shaped edges are less likely to break or suffer a trauma that results in cracking or peeling. So are shorter nails. It may seem counterintuitive to keep them short-ish if youre looking to have them grow quickly, but it works.;If your nails are brittle, we recommend switching to a crystal nail file to maintain shape.
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Invest In A Soft Nail File
You might have heard that glass nail files are better for filing with, but while theyre 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? Orlys nail file;is probably one of best Ive 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.
Whats 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 youre trying to achieve.
COLOURED EMERY BOARDS
QUATRO 4 IN 1 NAIL FILE & BUFFER
Leighton Denny
NEON FILEMATES
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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.
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Add Vitamins To Your Diet
Your fingernails often reflect your diet, says Gray. Dietary deficiencies not only prevent nails from growing normally, but also can cause weakness and brittleness, which are two of the main nail problems.
But there are certain types of foods you can add to your diet to help strengthen your nails. Anything with plenty of vitamins, such as vitamin E and B, and zinc, fruit, vegetable and nuts , explains Draper. Eggs are full of protein which is exactly what your nails need. Also, good fats such as those found in oily fish and avocados. But the most simple thing you can do is drink plenty of water for essential moisture.
Seven Home Remedies For Stronger Nails
As we get older, well start to notice that our nails become increasingly brittle. Thats because brittle nails are caused by ageing, long-term use of nail polish and nail polish remover, frequent exposure to water, exposure to chemicals, dehydration, excessively dry environment, nutritional deficiencies and some kind of trauma.
Imagine what our body has gone through and what weve subjected our nails to all these years.
There are plenty of products that can help you but if DIY is more your style, here are seven home remedies for stronger nails ;you can try
1. Coconut Oil
The saturated fat in coconut oil is very nourishing for weak and brittle nails. It will also prevent many kinds of nail infections.;
How: Slightly warm some coconut oil and apply it on each nail. Massage gently and thoroughly for five minutes. Follow this remedy two to three times daily.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is loaded with nutrients that are healthy for your nails, such as vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Plus, it has malic acid and acetic acid that can help fight nail infections.;
How: Mix equal amounts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water in a small bowl.;Soak your nails in this solution for a few minutes.;Immediately after, gently push down the cuticles.;Do this once daily and within a few days your nails will become much stronger.;
3. Vitamin E Oil
4. Tea Tree Oil
5. Sea Salt
6. Lemon Juice
7. Beer
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Regular Grooming Of Nails Can Help
Regular grooming involves keeping the nails regularly cut and filed and in shape. Keeping the nails in proper shape will prevent them from breaking while you are trying to grow them. Along with grooming, keeping the nails dry is also of prime importance in growing them long. The nails should be thoroughly dried after you have taken a shower or a bath, as wet nails have a tendency to break and chip more often than dry nails.
Choose Your Nail Products Wisely
The use of different nail polishes to increase the appeal of your nails is a common practice. However, nail polishes that contain toxic chemicals must be avoided as they can weaken your nails and make them brittle. These chemicals include camphor, formaldehyde resin, TPHP, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and xylene.
Moreover, the use of nail polishes is often coupled with the frequent use of nail polish removers such as acetone. These products can strip the natural oils from your nails, leading to weak and brittle nails. The chemical-laden nail polish removers can also dehydrate your nails and cause discoloration, keratin granulations, splitting, and peeling.
It is suggested to use alternate products such as acetone-free nail polish remover pads for this purpose. This also eliminates the risk of gamma-butyrolactone poisoning, which usually happens when children accidentally ingest acetone-based nail polish removers that contain this harmful compound.
Another common nail beauty product to stay wary of is acrylic nails and acrylic gel manicures, especially from unlicensed salons. This artificial nail technique can increase the risk of nail and cuticle infections and conditions such as contact dermatitis.
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Home Remedies To Make Your Nails Grow Faster
In this article:
Nails are composed of a fibrous protein called keratin, which also makes up the hair and skin. Nails grow rather slowly, usually up to 23 mm a month.
Fingernails are relatively faster to develop than toenails and, therefore, need to be filed more regularly, unless you want to keep them long for cosmetic appeal. However, maintaining long nails can be a difficult task as they accumulate dirt easily and are prone to cracking, splitting, or breakage. ;
Keeping your nails in good condition makes a great impression. Conversely, unclean, discolored, or chipped nails tend to reflect poorly on your hygiene and overall personality. Plus, this kind of negligence can further slow nail growth.
This article will discuss the various causes of slow nail growth and how to address it through nail care, remedies, and lifestyle choices.
Learn How To Fix Broken Nails
There’s something just so disappointing about getting the length you’re after, only to snag one little nail. What do you do in this case? Trim the lot of them to match? Live with the fact that you’ll have one awkward tip out of place?;
Skip all that and learn to fix it: Yes, you can salvage a break and keep on track with your nail goalsand here are three easy ways to do so.
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Consider Upping Your Biotin Intake
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin B coenzyme that you can find in supplement form at health food stores. Dermatologist and NYC-based nail health specialist Dr. Dana Stern told INSIDER that an amount between 2000 mcg and 3000 mcg is the recommended daily dosage for biotin in supplement form. She also advises that since nails grow slowly, you should expect to see biotin benefits in 4 months for fingernails and 9 months for toenails.
What about other dietary sources? Dr. Stern says that its an extreme rarity to see biotin deficiency in this country, but trends like juicing can sometimes lead down that path. Naturally, biotin-rich foods include cold-water fish such as salmon, almonds, peanuts, Swiss chard, and eggs. Its definitely a plus when foods;are good for us AND good for our nails.
It’s worth noting that not all experts are unanimous about whether biotin can actually improve your nail strength, so proceed with caution.;
Virtually everyone has heard that acetone-based nail polish removers are bad for your nails. But Dr. Stern said that even ethyl acetate ones are still solvents. Its true that non-acetone removers are less drying, but all nail polish removers still dry out your nails to some degree.
If you must use them, Dr. Stern advises not using them more than once a week. If possible, take a 2-4 week break in between polish removals, because that step is far more damaging to your nail than the actual polish.
The Damage Acrylic Nails Can Cause
You’re not guaranteed to see damage after a set of acrylics – there are many different factors at play – but it can happen. “The condition of the natural nail after acrylic nail removal varies greatly depending on the skill level of the technician who’s applied it, as well as the quality of product used,” notes Fleury Rose, the a celebrity stylist and the in-house creative director at Wild Oleander Beauty Bar in Brooklyn, New York.
If a nail technician doesn’t know what they’re doing, they may file your nails improperly creating thin and brittle nail beds, according to Candice Idehen, celebrity nail artist and owner of New York City-based nail bar, Bed of Nails.
“Usually your nails hurt to the touch and are visibly damaged,” Idehen tells us. “They may be extremely thin and flexible in a way that they bend under. Another sign is if they begin to break easily or tear.”
Rose agrees adding that in worst cases you may see “‘rings of fire’ caused by improper e-filing, and even nail fungus!” Chipping, flaking, and indentations or grooves are also results of improper nail technique.
But damage can’t always be blamed on the salon. It can also be a result of peeling off your own acrylics, which Idehen strongly urges you to resist doing.”When you peel off acrylic or any other enhancement, for that matter, you take off several layers of your natural nail with it.”
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Moisturizers Help Maintain Nail Length: True
Keeping your nails moist won’t help them grow quicker, but it can keep them from breaking sooner.
“As we get into fall and winter when the air is much drier, nails crack and split more easily and therefore stay short,” Kleinsmith says. “Our nails need lubrication, just like our hands and skin, during the winter months. Every time you wash your hands, put a little hand cream on; it’s much richer and thicker than just a body lotion.”
Wear gloves or mittens outdoors in cold weather, and use rubber gloves when you’re doing chores around the house.
“Once nails come out from under the cuticle, they’re dead tissue, so there’s no way to repair it,” Robinson says. “Detergents and dish soap can make the nails dry and split. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves around any soaps or cleansers, even if you’re only washing one dish or one window.”
Does Nail Polish Help Or Hurt Nail Growth
There’s nothing quite like the experience of kicking back at the nail salon and getting a colorful mani. But does nail polish help or hurt nail growth in any way?
As it turns out, lacquer doesn’t play a role in nail growth, but it can assist with overall nail health:
- It shields them: “Nail polish can act as a barrier against nails splitting or cracking. It makes the nail a little bit thicker and protects them with a coating,” Jaliman said.
- It discourages picking: “It can help you from picking or biting at your nails so they can grow,” Bank said.
Then again, using certain types of nail polish too frequently can do more harm than good:
- Too much red polish: “Nail polish can be the cause of brittle nails and discoloration, which is more common with red nail polishes and can cause a yellowish discoloration of the nail,” Gonzalez explained.
- Go slow on the gels: “Shellacs or gel nail polishes can sometimes be the cause of brittle and unhealthy nails,” Gonzalez said. Acrylics can also cause damage when used too often.
- Choose your polish remover wisely: “Using nail polish remover too frequently can be too drying for the nails, therefore causing damage to the nail. When using nail polish remover opt to use a non-acetone remover and apply cuticle oil afterward,” Bank said.
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