Current:Home > NewsWhat’s the secret to growing strong, healthy nails?-InfoLens
What’s the secret to growing strong, healthy nails?
View Date:2024-12-23 10:18:31
Growing your nails takes time. From age, to chronic illnesses, to even the time of year, lots of factors can impact the speed in which your nails grow.
Whether you've broken a nail and are trying to grow it back, or you have an underlying condition that's causing brittle nails, unfortunately, there's no surefire way to achieve rapid nail growth overnight.
However, there are steps you can take to strengthen your nails, which in turn promotes nail growth. We asked the experts to weigh in with a few dermatologist-approved tips to help you grow strong, healthy nails.
How fast do nails grow?
Healthy fingernails grow approximately three and a half millimeters every month, says Dr. Soraya Azzawi, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and health sciences clinical instructor at UCLA.
Toenails grow slower than fingernails. On average, toenails grow around one and a half millimeters a month, says Dr. Chris Sayed, MD, a clinical professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Dermatology.
If you happen to lose a nail, you can expect it to take at least a few months to grow back. “A normal fingernail would take about six months to grow out, whereas a toenail would require [between] one to one and a half years,” Azzawi says.
What affects nail growth?
It’s not unusual for nail growth to differ from person to person. One of the primary factors to influence nail growth is age, says Sayed. “Older adults have much lower nail growth [rates] than a young child,” he says.
Hormones also play a role in determining how fast nails grow. For instance, “an estrogen and progesterone surge during pregnancy will lead to faster nail growth,” Azzawi notes.
Nails tend to grow faster on your dominant hand, Azzawi adds. Because you use it more, your dominant hand is more at risk for experiencing trauma. If you injure a nail, the body will flood the area with more blood and nutrients. This may potentially accelerate nail growth, according to Healthline.
The seasons can also impact nail growth. Nails usually grow faster during the warmer months, although the difference is quite subtle, says Sayed.
It’s possible for immunocompromised individuals to experience inhibited nail growth, Azzawi says. Chronic conditions that can affect the growth and appearance of your nails include: psoriasis, endocarditis, lupus, kidney disease, thyroid disease and liver disease, per Healthline.
How can I speed up my nail growth?
If you’re perfectly healthy and not immunocompromised or malnourished, “there's not really anything somebody can do to make their nails grow physically faster,” Azzawi says. However, there are steps you can take to strengthen your nails, which will reduce the possibility of breakage, and make sure your nails are growing properly.
Grooming your nails, and trimming them regularly, is an important part of nail health, per Healthline. To promote the growth of strong, healthy nails, Azzawi also suggests:
- Avoiding contact with allergens and irritants (including detergents or solvents)
- Using gloves for wet work and chores
- Moisturizing after washing hands or using alcohol sanitizers
- Minimizing how often you wear nail gels or acrylics, which can wear down the surface of the nails over time
For individuals with brittle nails, biotin (vitamin B7) supplements may offer nail strengthening benefits, Azzawi says. Small clinical trials have shown biotin supplementation may improve the firmness, thickness and hardness of brittle nails.
If you’re considering taking biotin supplements to help strengthen brittle nails, always be sure to consult your doctor first, says Sayed.
veryGood! (881)
Related
- Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
- Liverpool fans serenade team with 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rendition before Man City match
- ‘Kung Fu Panda 4' opens No. 1, while ‘Dune: Part Two’ stays strong
- Judge rejects Texas lawsuit against immigration policy central to Biden's border strategy
- Fate of Netflix Series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Revealed
- Hailee Steinfeld Proves All That Glitters Is Gold With Stunning 2024 Oscars Look
- TikTok's latest 'husband' test is going viral. Experts say something darker is going on.
- West Virginia bill letting teachers remove ‘threatening’ students from class heads to governor
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- States have hodgepodge of cumbersome rules for enforcing sunshine laws
Ranking
- Early Black Friday Deals: 70% Off Apple, Dyson, Tarte, Barefoot Dreams, Le Creuset & More + Free Shipping
- Report and letter signed by ‘Opie’ attract auction interest ahead of Oscars
- Gold ring found in Sweden about 500 years after unlucky person likely lost it
- You'll Crazy, Stupid, Love Emma Stone's Shell-Inspired 2024 Oscars Gown
- Love Is Blind’s Chelsea Blackwell Reacts to Megan Fox’s Baby News
- No. 8 Southern California tops No. 2 Stanford to win women's Pac-12 championship
- Vanessa Hudgens Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby with Husband Cole Tucker
- Princess of Wales appears in first photo since surgery amid wild speculation of her whereabouts
Recommendation
-
AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10
-
Becky G's Sultry 2024 Oscars Ensemble Is One You Need to See
-
Oscars 2024: Why Barbie Star Simu Liu Owes Margot Robbie for This Fantastic Favor
-
Oscars 2024: Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves Have a Stellar Date Night
-
Threat closes Spokane City Hall and cancels council meeting in Washington state
-
New Jersey infant killed, parents injured in apparent attack by family dog, police say
-
What to know about the SAVE plan, the income-driven plan to repay student loans
-
Little League isn't just for boys: How girls and their moms can get involved in baseball