How to Grow Long and Strong Nails

Stop biting your nails. Nail biting can harm your health. Many people bite their nails when anxious, but this can lead to infections in the skin around the nails and mouth. If the skin around your nails is dry or peeling, trim it instead of biting.

• Try painting or decorating your nails to reduce the urge to bite them.
• Chew gum when you feel bored.
• Avoid biting the skin around your nails. Convincing yourself that biting the surrounding skin won’t affect your nails is a mistake. This weakens the nails due to moisture from saliva, making them more prone to breakage.
• Choose one nail to avoid biting each week. Gradually increase the number of "no-bite" nails to break the habit.
• Consider speaking with a therapist to address anxiety or boredom if nail biting is a severe habit.

Stop using Acrylic and Gel fake nails. Removing Acrylic or Gel nails too quickly can leave your nails dry, brittle, and slow to grow. Even proper removal can damage your nails, as the nail bed must be soaked during the process, making it more sensitive.

• If you want to use Gel or Acrylic nails, alternate between them. Switch between traditional nail care and Gel or Acrylic applications.

Stop peeling off chipped nail polish. Scraping off nail polish often removes the top layer of the nail bed, weakening the nail foundation.

Don’t skip the base coat and top coat. In a rush to dry your nails, it’s easy to skip these steps. However, omitting these layers can harm your nails. They prevent staining and help the polish adhere better, reducing the risk of chipping. Less chipping means less temptation to scrape your nails, which can cause further damage.

• Carry a bottle of nail polish remover in your bag to quickly clean up any chipped polish. This way, you won’t feel the need to scrape your nails.

Stop using your nails as tools. Picking off labels, scraping glue, or opening key rings can easily damage or break your nails. You might not realize the harm you’re causing, but if you want stronger nails, start paying attention.

• The best way to prevent this is to be mindful. Keep scissors or other tools handy for opening, scraping, or peeling tasks. Avoid activities that bend your nails. Use nail polish to deter nail-biting habits.

Boost your intake of Vitamin H (biotin). Biotin enhances the growth and strength of nails, hair, and skin. Aim to consume 30-40 micrograms daily through food and supplements. Whole grains, mushrooms, bananas, salmon, and avocados are excellent sources of biotin.

Include foods rich in folic acid. Folic acid, or Vitamin B9, helps prevent nerve cell damage and supports red blood cell health. It’s one of the best vitamins for nail growth, and excess amounts are naturally excreted by the body. Fish, red meat, cheese, and fortified soy products are rich in folic acid.

Consume Vitamin A. Vitamin A also strengthens nail health. The recommended daily intake is 700-900 micrograms. Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and leafy greens are packed with Vitamin A.

Increase your Vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is known for boosting immune health, which means it helps the body recover from within. A well-recovered body promotes healthy nail growth. Oranges, kale, strawberries, and bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C.

Shape and care for the nail bed. To grow long and healthy nails, start by properly caring for the nail bed. This means keeping your nails clean and healthy. Shape your nails and trim the cuticles.

• File your nails correctly. Start from the outer edge toward the center. Filing back and forth repeatedly can weaken the nails.
• Choose a nail shape that promotes growth. A basic rounded shape helps nails grow more easily. If you opt for square nails, you’re more likely to use them as tools.

Proper cuticle care. Soak your nails in warm water for 5 minutes to soften the cuticles. Apply cuticle remover, then gently push back dead skin with a cuticle stick. Rinse off the remover and debris. Repeat this process four times a week.

• To strengthen cuticles, apply hyaluronic acid around the cuticles after pushing them back.
• Moisturize. Use a moisturizing cream around the cuticles to prevent hangnails and nail breaks.

Apply nail-strengthening treatments. There are various treatments to strengthen nails. After shaping the nail bed and caring for the cuticles, you can choose one of the following methods, depending on your budget and schedule:

• Serums are often expensive but provide the fastest and most effective results for nail strength.
• Creams are a perfect daily solution. Look for protein-rich creams to apply in the morning and before bed.
• Nail strengthener polish can prevent chipping. It’s affordable and easy to use.

• Always carry a nail file. If a nail breaks or chips, filing is better than cutting it off.
• Avoid prenatal vitamins. While rumors suggest they help nails grow longer, they may cause digestive issues.
• Let your nails grow naturally.
• Mix warm water with coconut oil, soak your hands for 5-10 minutes, then let them dry. Rinse with cold water afterward.
• Massage your cuticles for 15-20 seconds each night before bed to improve blood circulation around the nails.
• Nourish your nails and cuticles by massaging them with tea tree oil.
• Combine olive oil, coconut oil, lemon juice, and vitamin E or D oil in an old nail polish bottle. Apply this oil mixture to your nails for natural cuticle care.