Grow Your Nails Faster and Stronger with These Simple Tips
Dry, soft, weak and unsightly nails are issues with a long list of potential causes. Skin conditions, nutritional deficiencies and fungal infections are the usual culprits. Sometimes, the simple fact that the season has changed and the air has become drier can also cause brittle nails. But don’t fret, as there are multiple ways to address your annoying nail issues.
Having long and healthy nails is possible—it just takes a whole lot of TLC. Like growing out your hair, the best approach is twofold: first, improve your diet to boost healthy nail growth; next, elevate your nail care regimen to protect your nails from breaking.
Whether you’re genetically prone to have short and brittle nails or trying to help your nails recover from too many acrylics, here are some helpful tips to make your nails grow faster.
Boost Healthy Nail Growth Internally
Your food intake is a potential contributing factor to whether your nails grow faster. Make sure to eat a balanced diet and take the necessary supplements for healthy nail growth.
Eat a balanced diet.
The normal growth rate is about three millimetres per month. One thing you can do to accelerate that growth or, at least, keep steady progress is to have a proper daily diet.
For starters, focus on food rich in nutrients that can support nail growth:
- Vitamin A: carrots, pumpkin, mangoes
- Vitamin C: citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers
- Zinc: beef, crab, nuts, beans, oysters
- Folate: avocado, asparagus, spinach
- Cysteine: yogurt, chicken, legumes
- Biotin: salmon, nuts, broccoli, egg yolks
Take biotin or collagen supplements.
Like your hair, your nails consist of the protein keratin. So, if you want your nails to grow faster, be sure to get your constant fill of keratin-building amino acids. But let’s face it—there are days when it’s impossible to prep and cook protein-rich food. Fortunately, there’s a steady way to increase your body’s keratin level: take biotin or collagen supplements.
Studies have shown that a daily dose of oral biotin promotes thickness and firmness of nails. That can help, especially those who have worn-down nails and nail tic disorders. Collagen supplements have a similar effect, too. They may be known for improving skin health and muscle mass, but they’re also beneficial for improving brittle nails and reducing breakage.
Elevate Nail Care Regimen to Protect Nails Externally
Your body’s natural production of keratin can only do so much. So, it’s also best to elevate your nail care regimen to keep your nails protected against brittleness, splitting and damage.
Skip harsh soaps or wear gloves when cleaning.
Harsh cleaning solutions can pull natural oil from your nails and eventually damage the keratin protein. What happens next is your nails would start to fray on edges. Eventually, the layers would split and leave you with broken, unsightly nails. So, skip using harsh soaps. Or at least wear a pair of gloves when you’re using them during house chores. This simple habit can go a long way when it comes to making your nails grow faster, healthier and stronger.
Keep your talons neatly filed.
Neatly filed nails are free of snags that may eventually cause unsightly splitting. So even though you want your nails to grow long, you should never skip filing them. If possible, use a glass file and do the filing in a single direction with swift, smooth strokes. That way, your nails will be smoothly and neatly filed. Also, make it a habit to dampen your nails before filing. That can soften the nail structure and ensure you’re not being too harsh on your nails.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise.
Like your skin and hair, your nails need to be hydrated. Make it a habit to use hand cream after washing your hands. Jojoba oil and other natural oils can help, too. These oils can lock in moisture, preserve the cuticle seal and prevent your nailbeds from being damaged.
Another great product to use is our Magic Pen Repair & Growth Nail Cream. Specially formulated to strengthen your nails, this cream can revitalise and add an extra layer of protection to your cuticles. It has a high absorption rate; it can penetrate your talons even if you have nail polish. That makes this cream convenient to use, elevating your daily nail care.
The right moisturiser, supplement and diet could make all the difference for your soft, weak and brittle nails. Follow the tips above, and you’ll notice your nails growing faster and stronger than before. And if you need a boost for your nail care, try our Magic Pen today.