The average rate at which your fingernails grow is 3.5 mm a month. And at that rate, you’d better start taking care of those little darlings. Here are some tips to promote healthy nail growth.
A quick anatomy lesson
The nail comprises of the matrix, nail bed, root, lunula, cuticle and nail. It’s like a little layer cake made of superimposed visible and invisible layers. Nail growth starts at the matrix, which is your nail’s factory for keratin, the protein that makes up your nails and gives them strength and solidity. Nail growth actually starts inside your finger, with a growth rate of about 0.01 mm per day. It takes about four to six months before a fingernail completely regenerates itself, and 12 to 18 months for your toenails.
Eat healthy food
Your nails are like a record book of your overall health and eating habits. The good news is it may be possible for you to accelerate nail growth by improving your eating habits, because certain nutrients act as veritable fingernail fertilizers.
- Complete proteins are essential for the formation of keratin. You’ll find protein in eggs, fish, meat, dairy products and in some combinations of vegetables, such as dried tomatoes, beans and lentils.
- Essential fatty acids found in animal, nut and vegetable oils also promote nail growth.
- Iron (found in pulses and meats) and magnesium (found in green vegetables and seafood) strengthen the nails.
- A slew of vitamins, including vitamin B, play a role in keeping your nails from becoming brittle and fragile.
- Beer yeast can increase your nails’ resistance to damage.
Daily care
You feel stressed out? That’s no reason for you to neglect your nails. Wear cotton gloves during the times you’re most likely to gnaw your nails. They’ll love the chance to grow a little bit. Moisturize your nails and cuticles with olive oil or almond oil -- any of them will do wonders for the driest of hands. Banish acetone-based nail polish remover from your makeup case and wear rubber gloves when you use strong cleaning products.
When it comes to nail care, healthy habits come in all forms. If you constantly smother your nails with nail polish, you may be slowing down your nail growth. Give them a chance to grow in the best conditions by taking a break from the polish once in a while. Remember that fake nails and nail polish are fine once in a while, if you let your nails go natural in between manicures.
