Neatly manicured hands make a positive first impression. Fingernails that are filed and shaped convey a sense of neatness and professionalism. When your nail breaks and ruins an otherwise perfect manicure, it is tempting to search for products to speed the regrowth of your nail. Nails grow at varying rates depending on the season, your age and other factors. Little can be done to make nails grow faster.
The Nail
The nail plate, or the hard, visible surface, is made of keratin, explains cosmetologist and nail education specialist Marti Preuss. Keratin is a strong, flexible protein found in hair and skin cells that is produced from amino acids. The nail plate is formed from compressed layers of dead cells.
Nail Growth
Nail cells form in the matrix, says Preuss. The white crescent shape at the base of the nail, called the lunula, is the edge of the matrix. As the nail cells grow and push out through the lunula, they lose their inner contents and become flat and translucent. The cells harden as they age, resulting in a thicker nail plate. Connecting bands of protein fibers hold the nail cells together. Oils and moisture from the nail bed keep the nail plate flexible and able to bend under pressure, says Preuss. The nail plate is attached to the underlying skin by a series of rails and furrows. The nail rides along these grooves as it grows.
Influencing Factors
Nails grow faster in warm weather compared with cold, and fingernails grow faster than toenails, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Fingernails tend to grow faster on the dominant hand. Nails grow faster on men than women, except during pregnancy. Nails grow slower with age and become thicker and more susceptible to fungal infection. Fingernails grow an average of 2 cm to 3 cm per month, and toenails grow an average of 1 cm per month. Specific foods, creams or products claiming to be growth accelerators do not make nails grow faster, says Preuss. A balanced diet will lead to a healthier nail bed, which benefits nail growth.
Factors That Slow Growth
Damage to the matrix at the base of the nail affects the texture and thickness of the emerging nail, says Preuss. Nails grow slower for people who are paralyzed or otherwise immobile. Medical conditions that affect circulation, such as diabetes, also slow nail growth. Nails also grow slower in people with psoriasis, malnutrition and serious infections. Some medications may also affect nail growth.
Nail Care Tips
The condition of your nails may signal an underlying condition. The AAD advises consulting a dermatologist if you notice changes in the color or shape of your nails, or if the skin around the nail is swollen and tender. Small horizontal white lines are common and harmless, but dark lines or dents should be examined by your healthcare provider. Keep nails clean and dry, and always trim them with good-quality nail clippers or manicure scissors, says the AAD. Cut nails straight across and rounded slightly at the tip for maximum strength. Trim toenails regularly and soak feet in warm salt water for ten minutes to soften thick, hard toenails.
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