How To Make Your Nails Grow Faster: Our Ultimate Guide
On a mission to obtain long, gorgeous nails? While there’s no magical lotion, potion, or serum that’ll make them grow instantly, it’s certainly not impossible to achieve healthy, fast nail growth — it just takes a bit of upkeep and TLC.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Read on to discover the best tips and tricks to help make your nails grow faster. Are you ready?
Let’s dive in!
1. Eat a Nail-Friendly Diet
Your overall health and wellness can have a pretty substantial impact on your nails. If you’re looking to grow your nails sooner rather than later, make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that incorporates plenty of protein and a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies.
To take things up a notch, add in healthy foods that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as kombucha, kimchi, miso, and kefir, or consider adding a great probiotic to your daily supplement line-up like Gut Feelings Probiotics.
2. Hydration
To grow long, thick nails, they need to be healthy — and to be healthy, they need to be hydrated. What’s the best way to hydrate them, you ask? With cuticle oil.
Cuticle oil is a nutrient-rich oil used to moisturize and hydrate the cuticle and nail bed, which is why it’s such a crucial step in nail care — whether you’re hoping for fast growth or just want your nails to look their best.
Pro Tip: Can’t get your hands on a fancy-schmancy cuticle oil? Natural oils like olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, or shea butter can work, too!
3. Don’t Remove Your Cuticles
Most dermatologists agree that there’s no good reason to remove the cuticles.
Sure, it may make your nails look a little longer, but cutting them could open the door to nail problems (such as white spots or ridges), irritation, and even infection. And if you happen to get an infection in that area, it can damage that fingernail’s ability to grow.
In other words, don’t ever remove your cuticles — especially if you’re striving for long, thick nails.
4. Nourish Your Nail Beds
If a bumpy, rigid nail bed is wreaking havoc on your #NailGoals, you might need to bump up your folic acid intake.
Otherwise known as vitamin B9, this essential nutrient repairs and strengthens the cells that make up nails — which hastens growth and promotes overall nail health. Biotin may also support nail strength and ultimately prevent peeling and breakage.
To grow your nails quickly, keep your nail beds nourished by making sure you’re getting plenty of folic acid in your diet. Foods that are rich in folic acid include:
- Fruits and fruit juices
- Dark leafy vegetables
- Beans
- Nuts
- Peas
- Seafood
- Meat
- Eggs
- Poultry
- Grains
5. Put the Acetone Down
When your mani starts to chip, it’s too easy to grab any bottle of nail polish remover. But the bottles containing high concentrations of acetone (the potent solvent responsible for dissolving nail polish faster than the speed of light) are insanely harsh on nails and can dry them out almost instantly — cue flaking, peeling, cracking, and stunted nail growth. So, if you want stronger nails that grow faster too, it may be best to avoid the acetone.
Note: If you have gel nails or dip nails, be aware that acetone-free nail polish remover won’t remove them. Only 100% pure acetone is strong enough to dissolve these types of polish, so if you’re trying to make your nails grow post-haste, it’s best to steer clear of these types of manicures.
6. Consider Biotin
You may know biotin as an important B vitamin that allows the body to convert food into energy, but did you know that it’s highly recommended as a supplement to boost nail growth and strength, too?
Yup, it’s true — according to many scientists, 2.5 mg of biotin a day can improve the health of your nails in just a few weeks.
You can find biotin naturally in a number of healthy foods, but if your diet is lacking, consider taking a good quality supplement that contains biotin and other nail-lovin’ nutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C, such as Daily Love Multivitamin + XOmegas.
7. Avoid Acrylics
The process of getting acrylic nails can be extremely damaging to your natural nails. The combo of filing the nail’s delicate surface down until it’s rough, harsh ingredients in the products, exposure to a UV light, and soaking in acetone for removal can quickly lead to damaged nails that struggle to grow.
Glue-on artificial nails are often touted as a healthier option for those who love the look of acrylics, but they can still weaken your real nails, leaving them susceptible to breaking. The better option is to paint your nails with polishes that are free of toxic chemicals, such as:
- Formaldehyde
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Toluene
To support healthy nail growth and get longer nails, skip the acrylics and opt for water-based formulations that are toxin-free.
8. Load Up on Collagen
According to a new study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, researchers found that daily supplementation with collagen peptides was able to boost the growth of fingernails by 12 percent and reduce the frequency of broken nails by 42 percent.
So if you’re wishing for longer nails, a great collagen supplement like Call Me Collagen just might be able to help make your #NailGoals come true.
Clinically proven to support nail growth and strength, our grass-fed collagen peptide powder is unflavored, contains zero carbs or sugar, and is packaged with 30 individual 100 percent recyclable tear sticks that are unbelievably convenient to take on the go. Simply pour one tear stick into your beverage of choice, stir and consume.
A Final Word
If you feel like you’ve tried just about everything in the book and you’re still struggling with nails that won’t seem to grow, you may want to consider consulting a dermatologist who specializes in nail health.
After reviewing your lifestyle and running a few tests, a healthcare professional can get to the bottom of your unhealthy nails and lead you in the right direction to achieve the nails of your dreams.
At Love Wellness, we offer clean products that lift women up and heal their bodies — not change how they look or smell. Whether you’re searching for metabolism support, need some feminine hygiene advice, or simply looking for the best supplements to grow long, luxe nails, you can always count on us.
Sources:
Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage | AAD
Vitamins and minerals: their role in nail health and disease | NCBI
Fingernails: Do's and don'ts for healthy nails | Mayo Clinic