Are your nails growing slower than ever right now? Want them longer and stronger—yesterday? Trying to achieve that perfect length for a special occasion? Or maybe you’re just tired of brittle, annoying, slow-growing nail configurations. Whatever it is, you’re not the only one seeking the ideal nail growth and health. But there are ways to grow nails faster and stronger without some magic solution. According to experts—from dermatologists to nail techs—it’s easier than you’d think to implement quick fixes at home. Here, we discuss how to grow nails faster and stronger through the best insights about nailcare, dietary changes, and things to avoid for the growth you need. Let’s get those nails growing!
Why Are My Nails Growing So Slow?
To understand how to grow nails faster and stronger, it’s essential to figure out why they’re growing so slowly in the first place. Nails grow slowly due to a variety of reasons. While some are genetically blessed with accelerated nail growth, others are signs of what’s going on in your world. Stress, unhealthy diets, and mishandling nails with incorrect products can create weak nails that act as though they’re growing slower than average. If you have no gloves on and are scrubbing pots and pans all day or using your nails as a makeshift box cutter (we’ve all been there), it could be your fault—and almost always accidentally. Weak nails break with minimal effort which can prevent the length dimension you’re trying to achieve from happening. That’s why knowing what’s stopping you is the first step to getting you going. But how can you grow nails faster and stronger?
Keep Your Nails Clean and Moisturized
One simple way to create an environment for nails to grow faster is to keep them clean and moisturized. Every day, think about what people do with their hands—from washing hands with soap and water to getting dirty to touching anything and everything in between—nails get exposed to dirt, germs, remnants, etc. over time. Therefore, without cleaning, dirt can get stuck under the tips of the nails leading to infections and weak spots, and experts say that gently cleaning under the nail beds with a soft brush while washing hands is encouraged. But don’t go too crazy! Under the nails is skin, and it’s sensitive which can lead to injury.
Also, as amazing as moisturizing is—not moisturizing can ruin nails. When nails dry out, they become brittle and chip, which leads to slower growth. Therefore, after handwashing or during a bath, take time to dry off and apply a nice hand cream or cuticle oil. Look for shea butter or jojoba oil as ingredients—as they both retain moisture and keep nails hydrated. Apply the cream or oil with an emphasis on the cuticles and skin surrounding the nails, keeping that area moisturized also helps blood circulation in that area which can play a role in growth stimulation. Do this a few times a day, especially before bed, and watch those nails flourish.
Trim and File Your Nails Properly
How you cut/file your nails matters. According to experts, never trim nails too short, and never trim the corners—this invites painful ingrown nails, and nobody wants that. So, cut nails with precise, sanitary nail clippers and a straight-across method, round off only the edges, and file softly. This is important because jagged edges will catch on things and split.
When you file, for instance, it’s best to file in one direction; never back and forth. Experts say this creates micro-tears within the nail which makes it weaker. In addition, experts suggest you invest in a glass or crystal nail file rather than cheap metal; these are less harsh on the nails and provide a smoother finish. Try to file your nails about once a week to prevent splits and breaking longer nails are at greater risks of splits because they have longer to grow, too, when they’re at a comfortable working length.
Protect Your Nails from Damage
There is so much abuse people put their nails through on a daily basis, and protecting them is essential to helping your nails grow faster. Consider this for a moment; how do you abuse your nails? Do you bite your nails? Stressing in a conference call? Picking cuticles? Using your nail to pop a soda can or scrape off a sticker? Experts say these reduce the health of your nails and slow growth. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Eliminate these bad habits. If you’re a compulsive nail biter, keep your nails short and painted with a polish that tastes bitter.
Another way to keep nails from breaking and chipping is to wear gloves while cleaning. Whether washing dishes or scrubbing with chemicals or even gardening, hands are at risk for causing nails to weaken. By wearing rubber or latex gloves, one provides a barrier between the nails and whatever one might be doing. However, if someone gets a lot of manicures, be aware of gel or acrylic nails. While they can look lovely, if they’re not removed the right way, they take layers of natural nails underneath off, resulting in thin nails that aren’t strong. Always go to a professional to have them taken off or soak them off slowly at home to avoid any damage.
Eat Foods that Encourage Nail Growth
What you eat encourages how fast nails grow. Nails are made of keratin, which is a protein that needs nutrients for creation. If you’re on a poor diet, your nails will likely be born from the same flesh. That said, professionals suggest eating protein-based foods to encourage nails to grow—eggs, chicken, fish and beans all offer the necessary building blocks for the body to make great nails. Healthy fats are beneficial. Avocados, nuts and olive oil will help keep nails supple so they don’t break.
In addition, vitamins and minerals help make nails grow. Vitamin A exists in spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes which help keep the nails (and skin) healthy. Biotin exists in eggs and dairy; it is a water-soluble B vitamin sometimes associated with strong nails. Zinc and iron found in lean meats and dark leafy greens are also useful so the body has what it needs to promote fast nail growth. Finally, drink lots of water to stay hydrated; dehydration will lead to dry and brittle nails needing to be cut too often. A balanced diet with colors from fruits and vegetables will help the nails flourish.
Use Nail Strengtheners Wisely
If you have weak brittle nails, nail strengtheners are a good option, but they need to be applied correctly. Many professional sources recommend nail strengtheners that contain keratin, calcium or vitamins to help from the inside out. Essentially, nail strengtheners give a coating over the natural nails so that they do not break and peel; it’s recommended to use them as a base coat when wearing colored polish or as a clear polish on its own.
But this doesn’t mean you should apply too much of it. Adding too much nail strengthener or keeping it on longer than necessary will harden the nails so much that they will crack. Therefore, it’s recommended to follow instructions on the container and apply at necessary levels after consulting with a professional manicurist who knows your history. Proper nail strengtheners will suggest applying every few days, with a big take-off once a week, to allow the nails to breathe. A manicurist in skilled hands will know which to use since they know your history.
Be Gentle with Your Cuticles
Cuticles are not essential cuticles can harm your nails growth and integrity if they are abused. The cuticle is the layer of dead skin surrounding the nail bed that tears over time. Cuticles can become a problem if cut too roughly or pushed back too hard, resulting in injury to the nail bed, which can lead to slower growth and even infection. According to professional sources, cutting cuticles should never be done at home; gently pushing them back with a rubber or wooden cuticle pusher is only suggested after soaking in water/showering when the skin is soften.
Moisturizing your cuticles is just as important as moisturizing your nails. A daily cuticle cream or oil keeps the skin around the nails supple and healthy. If you go to a nail salon, be sure to tell the nail technician that the cuticles should not be cut—most times, it’s best that they’re only lightly pushed back. The cuticle is the skin surrounding your nail bed; if it’s healthy, it means your nail bed is healthy, and that’s where your nail grows from. You will find that your cuticles grow faster if you take care of them, and your nails will grow faster, as well, when bonded to healthy skin.
Avoid Harsh Nail Products
Not every product used on your nails is good for your nails. There are many polishes, removers, and treatments with chemicals in them that dehydrate your nails and weaken them. Experts say that using an acetone nail polish remover is an unwise choice per application; it strips moisture from the nails and brittle nails are liable to breaking. Therefore, it’s best to get an acetone-free nail polish remover. In addition, it’s good to give your nails a breather at least every few weeks with a week or two without polish to restore any overworked nails.
Furthermore, when buying polish, buy polishes that don’t include harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP. These formulations can weaken your nails over time. If you enjoy having your nails painted often, be sure to use a base coat—which acts as a defense against these chemicals—and a topcoat to prevent chipping. In addition, do not keep polish on for too long either; when polish chips, it allows moisture access to vulnerable areas, so make it a point to change your polish weekly—at least bi-weekly—for the sake of healthy nails.
Keep It Up for Long-Term Results
Getting your nails to grow faster and longer is not a one-time process, it’s a regimen to keep up with over time. “Consistency is key,” Schwartz explains. “You need to make the moisturizing, eating and protection of your nails part of your daily routine as opposed to every once in a while.” Remember to moisturize with cuticle oil every night before bed, wear gloves whenever cleaning or doing dishes and keep a nail file at the ready for an escaping hangnail before it has a chance to break.
You should also be prepared to wait. On average, nails grow about one-eighth of an inch per month, so even when you’re doing everything right, you’re not going to see results overnight. And don’t be discouraged if you don’t wake up with Michelle Maskaly or Selina Tedesco nails, but after a few weeks, you’ll start seeing the strength increase as well as the length.
When to See a Professional
No matter how much you love your nails and how well you treat them, there are still times when they won’t grow. If you’re finding a lot of splitting, peeling or discoloration, it may be time to visit a dermatologist or nail professional who can determine if a fungal infection or deficiency is the reason behind your nails not growing. They may have specific products or resolutions that can help.
If you have a trusty nail salon, let it be one of a good reputation. An expert nail technician understands how to best care for nails without damage. Ask what products are used, how they treat cuticles, how they remove gel polish when it’s time. That bit of professionalism can go a long way in getting nails to grow much faster.
Conclusion
Getting nails to grow faster isn’t as hard as it seems. With consistent cleaning and moisturizing, proper cutting and filing, and no damage, nails are well on their way to growing faster for healthy reasons. An intake of proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats associated with a balanced diet offer necessary nutrients; nail strengtheners and gentle care do the rest. Regular wear of harsh chemicals does the opposite, as does uneven care. It’s about small changes over a long period that allow for progress.
What are you waiting for? Start today with your nails! Whether you douse your nails in cuticle oil, wear rubber gloves when doing dishes, or add an extra serving of vegetables to your intake, everything helps. All you need is time and care, and soon enough, your nails will be transformed! That perfect manicure you’ve always wanted will be just around the corner once your nails are primed for growth—so make it happen!