How To Make Nails Grow Faster: A Detailed Guide

Want beautifully long, healthy nails? Who doesn’t! Having gorgeous nails can make you feel confident and put-together. But what if your nails seem stuck at a stubby length or take forever to grow out? Don’t worry – with the right care and techniques, you can get your nails to grow much faster.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Soak nails in warm olive oil, massage cuticle oil into nails and cuticles daily, file nails correctly, drink more water and nutrients like biotin, and avoid nail damage from chemicals or biting.

Proper Nail Care Routines

Soak Nails in Natural Oils

Soaking nails in natural oils is an easy and effective way to keep nails hydrated and promote growth. Oils like olive, coconut, and jojoba contain nutrients that nourish nails and cuticles. Here are some tips for an at-home nail soak:

• Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of oil. Olive and coconut oil work well. Don’t forget to wash your hands first!
• Soak nails for 10-15 minutes. This gives the oil time to penetrate and soften cuticles.
• Gently push back cuticles with a towel or soft tool after soaking. This removes dead cuticle skin.
• Rinse and pat hands dry. Moisturize with a rich hand cream.
• Do this nail soak 2-3 times a week for healthy, growing nails.

Massage Cuticle Oil into Nails and Cuticles

Massaging oil into nails and cuticles is an easy daily nail care habit. The massage action improves circulation, while the oil moisturizes and nourishes. Try these tips:

• Apply a drop of cuticle oil onto each nail and cuticle area.
• Gently massage for 2-3 minutes using small circular motions. This boosts blood flow.
• Push back cuticles lightly with a towel. Never cut cuticles, as this can damage nails.
• Rinse and pat hands dry.
• Do this daily after washing hands to keep nails and cuticles supple.

File Nails Properly

Proper filing technique is key for growing long, strong nails. Here are some filing tips:

• File nails once a week after showering, when they are soft. Use a fine-grain emery board.
• File in one direction only, usually from the outside edge to the center. No back-and-forth sawing.
• File gently and avoid over-filing at the sides. This can weaken nails.
• Round nail tips slightly for a smooth edge that won’t catch and tear.
• Don’t file off surface ridges on natural nails. Buff gently if needed.
• Disinfect metal nail files with alcohol between uses to avoid spreading germs.

With some diligent home care and these nail TLC tips, you’ll see your natural nails transform. Healthy nails can grow around 1/8″ per month. Be patient, and avoid excessive filing. With proper care, your nails will be long, strong, and beautiful! 💅

Nutrition for Fast Nail Growth

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is crucial for fast and healthy nail growth. Water makes up over 70% of our nails, so staying hydrated allows them to grow faster and stronger. Experts recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily for optimal nail health.

Dehydration can lead to brittle, dry nails that crack and split easily. Making sure you are properly hydrated will help your nails retain moisture and grow quickly.

Consume Biotin and Other B Vitamins

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an essential nutrient that plays a major role in nail growth and health. Several studies have found that getting adequate biotin can significantly increase nail thickness and hardness. Foods high in biotin include eggs, salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds.

You can also take a biotin supplement, with experts recommending 2.5mg per day for improved nail growth. Other B vitamins like B12 and folic acid are also important for optimal nail health.

Eat More Protein

Protein is the building block of nails, so getting enough in your diet is crucial. Aim for 20-30 grams of protein at each meal by eating foods like fish, poultry, eggs, beans, lentils and Greek yogurt.

One study found that increasing protein intake to 100 grams daily can help nails grow 3-5 times faster over 6 months. Protein provides the amino acids that build keratin, the protein that makes up the main structure of nails. Make sure to eat a variety of protein sources for maximum nail growth.

Avoid Damaging Nails

Use Protective Gloves

Wearing gloves while doing housework, gardening, or other manual labor is one of the best ways to prevent nail damage. The gloves create a protective barrier between your nails and harsh chemicals or abrasive surfaces that can cause chipping, peeling, and breakage.

Opt for heavy-duty rubber gloves when using strong cleaners or handling rough materials. For more delicate tasks like gardening, lightweight cotton gloves are a good choice.

Make it a habit to slip on gloves before tackling dirty chores. Your nails will look healthier and grow faster when shielded from damage. An added bonus – gloves also keep your hands clean! Protect those nails and avoid the scrubbing to remove ground-in dirt.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Harsh chemicals found in nail polish remover, cleaning solutions, and other products can dry out and weaken your nails. Limit exposure to substances containing acetone, formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and other nail-damaging ingredients.

When possible, opt for gentler, nourishing nail polish removers that contain oils, vitamins, and moisturizers. For household cleaning and other tasks, choose more natural solutions without toxic chemicals.

White vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and other pantry staples often work just as well as commercial cleaners.

Handling nail-harming chemicals? Be sure to wear gloves and thoroughly wash hands afterward. Reducing contact with these substances helps nails stay strong and encourages growth.

Stop Nail Biting

One of the worst nail-biting dangers? It can severely hamper growth. Nibbling away at nails destroys the matrix, or base of the nail bed where new nail cells are formed. This can slow growth to a crawl.

On top of that, nail biting leaves nails ragged and prone to splitting and peeling. It also opens the door to infection as germs easily enter through small tears in the skin surrounding the nails.

To quit biting:

• Keep nails neatly trimmed to eliminate snaggy edges that tempt nibbling
• Apply a bitter-tasting polish or spray designed to curb the habit
• Identify when you tend to bite – when nervous? bored? – and find activities to occupy your mouth and hands like chewing gum or squeezing a stress ball

Kicking the nail biting habit allows nails to grow to their full potential. With nails protected from damage, you could gain up to 3-5 mm or more of growth per month!

Conclusion

Growing long, strong nails quickly is possible with the right routine. Focus on hydrating, massaging and protecting your nails daily while getting enough nutrients. In just a few weeks, you should notice a significant difference in nail length and resilience.

Be patient and stick to helpful nail tips, and you’ll have the elegant nails you want.