We’ve always wanted to take care of our health, skin, hair or nails. Health, skin and hair care solutions have been shared throughout generations. But what about nails? In our routine rush of life, nails always remain neglected and it’s rare to bother about them. We forget that our nails require continuous upkeep too. Maintaining your nails makes a great impression. So here’s a perfect guide of home remedies for your nail growth and a few tips on how to grow nails fast!
You must have wondered how to grow nails and keep them from breaking.
7 Major Reasons For Slow Nail Growth
Before you get into how to grow nails stronger and faster, let’s see a few reasons why your nails aren’t growing fast.
1. Biting Nails
Biting nails not only make them look shabby but cause digestion and infection issues too. A quick distractive trick you can use to avoid biting those nails is keeping your nails coloured with nail polish. When you do remove your nail polish, you can apply a nail strengthening polish to cover your nails and stop you from biting them.
2. Eating Habits
You may not realise but your eating habits play a very important role in nail growth. A few alterations in your diet will surely make you realise how to make your nails grow faster and stronger. Certain dietary inclusions can be made such as chicken. If you are a vegetarian you should definitely include strawberries, grapes and blueberries. These fruits are a powerhouse of antioxidants that allow better nail growth.
3. Constant Cover-Ups
Letting your nails be bare and clean without any nail polish for a day one or two every week gives your nails a chance to breathe. Most of the time we apply different nail polishes every week, not allowing our nails to be bare and grow. This causes growth issues and is visible most of the times when nails appear yellow and chipped.
4. Sub-Standard Nail Products
Choosing good quality nail polishes and products is important. A nail polish with low quality causes further weakening of your nails. Most of the time the low-quality nail polishes make the nails dry and chipped.
5. Gel & Acrylic Usage
Nail art, gel and acrylic nails look attractive. However, these acrylic and gel nails prevent the strengthening and growth of your nails. Getting your nails done with gel or acrylics once in a while is okay. But regularly using nail art, acrylics and gels deteriorate the quality and growth of your nails.
6. Lack Of Biotin
Biotin is the powerhouse vitamin for nail and hair growth. You can choose to include biotin-rich food into your diet such as bananas or avocados along with which you can also take biotin supplements. Before you begin taking biotin supplements, do consult a doctor.
7. Insufficient Greens
Leafy vegetables, especially spinach, are packed with high levels of folic acid or vitamin B9 which supplement the growth of nails and make them strong. A helping of greens once a day will help you get stronger and longer nails.
10 Effective Home Remedies For Faster Nail Growth
Wondering how to grow nails faster at home? Here are a few home remedies for nail growth.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is packed with vitamin C that will help to increase the length and strength of your nails.
How To Apply?
- Take a bowl and add one tablespoon of lemon juice along with two or three spoons of olive oil.
- Heat this on the stove or in the microwave and dip your fingers into the mixture.
- Remember to remove your nail polishes before you use this.
- Alternatively, you can also rub a lemon slice on your nails, keep it for 10 mins and later wash it off with warm water.
- You can do this every day or thrice a week.
2. Vaseline Or Petroleum Jelly
If you are lost about how to grow nails fast, use this technique. The best way to smoothen your nails and make them strong is using petroleum jelly.
How To Apply?
- Wash your hands and then apply petroleum jelly for 10 minutes.
- Wash it after ten minutes.
- You can do this every day or thrice a week.
3. Coconut Oil
Another great nail growth supplement, coconut oil does wonders to nail growth and strength. If the question, how to grow nails, is on your mind, here’s an age-old solution.
How To Apply?
- Warm up the coconut oil.
- Dip your fingers into the oil and massage it in a circular motion to allow blood circulation. Rinse your hands after 10 minutes.
- Do this every night for better results.
4. Salt Bath
Common salt is a great scrub and cleanser for your nails.
How To Apply?
- Take a bowl of warm water and add one tablespoon of salt and two tablespoons of olive oil.
- Dip your fingers into this mini spa.
- Then rinse your hands after a good period of 15-20 minutes.
- Try doing this thrice a week.
5. Egg Shells
The extra calcium in eggshells helps strengthen your nails. It is a great answer to how to grow nails fast!
How To Apply?
- Take a couple of clean eggshells.
- Run them through a grinder to get a fine powder.
- Mix this powder with clear nail polish and apply on your nails.
- You can do this overnight once a week.
6. Orange Juice
Vitamin C in the orange juice can help in the production of collagen that keep your nails strong and healthy.
How To Apply?
- Squeeze the juice of an orange into a bowl.
- Soak your nails in it for 10 minutes and wash them.
- Remember to moisturise your nails.
- Use this remedy once a week.
7. Olive Oil
Olive oil contains Vitamin E, which improves blood circulation and facilitates nail growth.
How To Apply?
- Heat up some olive oil and massage it into your nails and cuticles for about five minutes.
- Wear gloves and let it sit overnight.
- Alternatively, you can soak your nails in warm olive oil for 15 to 20minutes.
- Do this once a day for best results.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic, which works by neutralising the alkaline environment that encourages fungal growth.
How To Apply?
- Fill a foot bath or large bowl with equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water.
- Soak your feet for at least 20 minutes.
- Pat dry with a clean towel.
- Use this remedy twice a week.
9. Honey
Honey helps fight bacterial and fungal growth and can help keep your nails and cuticles nourished and supple.
How To Apply?
- Create a honey and lemon nail mask by mixing 2 teaspoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice.
- Massage this into your nails and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse off thoroughly.
10. Garlic Oil
Garlic is rich in selenium, which helps promote nail growth.
How To Apply?
- Rub your fingernails with a sliced piece of garlic.
- If that is too pungent for you, you could make your own garlic oil.
- Use this garlic oil as a nail mask.
- Try this once a week.
6 Key Takeaways
- To prevent nails from breaking, use nail hardeners sparingly
- Avoid glue-on nails and toxic polishes as regular use of glue-on artificial nails can weaken real nails and make them more prone to breaking
- Regular nail grooming can also help boost the strength of your nails, encouraging growth and reducing breakage
- Keep your nails dry and clean, which keeps bacteria from growing beneath them
- Moisturise your hands and nails with lotion, making sure to rub it into your fingernails and cuticles
- Eat a well-balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of proteins, an adequate amount of carbohydrates and plenty of healthy fats
Everyone loves long and strong nails. The key to the question, how to grow nails, is to maintain hygiene and pamper your nails. Remember, you can’t get your nails to magically grow faster. But if you take care of them, they’ll grow stronger and last longer, making them less prone to breakage. Use these home remedies for nail growth and get fabulous nails!
