In order to see your nails grow you need a daily nail care regimen that will promote strengthening. For optimal results you need to treat your hands with the same tender, loving care that you would give other parts of your body. Providing the right conditions for your nails will prevent breakage, which is important in meeting your nail growth goals.
Facts
Nails are mostly made of the protein keratin, which is also the same protein found in your hair and skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nails average a growth rate of 2 to 3 mm per month with nails growing their fastest in the summer and on the hand you use dominantly.
Strength
Your nails must be healthy and free of bacterial infections in order for them to be strong. The overall health of nails can be determined by observation. A person with healthy nails will not have visible ridges, pealing, grooves or discoloration.
The most important thing you can do for your nails is keep them dry and clean. Tears can occur in nails that are submerged in water for a long period of time because the nail becomes soft and excessively flexible.
Instead of clipping your nails, use a file to shape and groom them. Filing your nails will prevent cracking if it is done correctly. While filing your nails, make sure to file in one direction only. Do not file side-to-side.
Biotin
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, biotin is vitamin H, which is a part of the B complex vitamins. Taking a biotin supplement can improve your nails by keeping them from splitting and thinning.
You can get sufficient amounts of biotin through your diet. Some sources of biotin are egg yolk, sardines, nuts, soy beans, legumes, whole grains, cauliflower, bananas and mushrooms.
Avoid
Other than not biting your nails, there are a variety of ways to avoid damage.
Do not take long showers or baths. In addition, make sure to wear rubber gloves while cleaning and doing the dishes. These steps will keep your fingernails dry to prevent breaks. Refrain from using your nails as a tool since this can cause breaking and cracking in even the strongest nails. Do not remove or push back your cuticles because you increase your chance of an infection. Your cuticles are there to keep bacteria from entering the area between your nails and skin. Do not use nail polish. Nail polish will harden your nails making them more prone to break since they're unable to bend naturally. If you must wear nail polish, avoid using removers with acetone since these removers are the most harmful.
Misconceptions
There is no evidence that taking a prenatal vitamin will strengthen your nails and help with nail growth. This goes for regular multi-vitamins as well. However, if the vitamin has biotin as an ingredient, the biotin will benefit your nails.The white spots that get under your nails are not caused by a calcium deficiency. The spots are caused by an injury. If these spots do not grow out or go away on their own, contact a dermatologist because you may have an infection. Artificial nails do not damage your real nails if cared for properly. However, if moisture gets between the artificial nail and your real nail, it's a harvesting ground for bacteria that will damage your real nails and require professional treatment. Always have a nail technician remove artificial nails because doing it yourself will cause damage, such as tears and ripping away top layers of your nail.
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