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While you can't accelerate nail growth in just 5 days, you can take steps to maximize their growth potential. Strengthening and protecting your nails can make the process of growing them out much easier. Additionally, incorporating proper nail care routines can improve the overall health of your nails. If you have a habit of biting your nails, there are several methods to help you break this habit.
Steps
Strengthen and Protect Your Nails
Apply a nail strengthener. You should apply a nail strengthener to enhance the durability and protection of your nails as they grow. Nail strengtheners help prevent cracking and breaking, which can force you to trim your nails before they reach the desired length.
- Remember, nails will only remain stronger while the strengthener is applied. Once it wears off, your nails will return to their natural state. Apply the strengthener daily to maintain strong and healthy nails.
- Use nail strengtheners as a temporary solution while working on long-term nail health, which involves improving the natural strength of your nails.
Wear gloves to protect your nails from cold weather and chemicals. In addition to applying lotion, always remember to wear gloves when going out in cold weather. If you are working with any type of chemical (from household cleaning products to art supplies), protect your nails with latex rubber gloves or heavy-duty work gloves, depending on the situation. This helps prevent your nails from breaking.
Protect your nails from prolonged exposure to water. Soaking your nails in water for too long, whether you're washing dishes or spending time in a pool, can weaken your nails, making them prone to cracking as they grow. This forces you to trim your nails more frequently.
- To help your nails grow longer, protect them from water by limiting exposure, such as wearing gloves while washing dishes.
Maintain a balanced diet. You may already be getting enough protein in your diet. Therefore, unless you have a protein deficiency (which is rare), there's no need to increase protein intake to stimulate nail growth. In fact, excess protein can lead to obesity, increased risk of kidney failure, and potentially diabetes.
- To keep your nails healthy, eat a variety of nutritious foods, including vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Consider taking biotin supplements. Biotin helps strengthen brittle nails, making them less prone to breaking. Taking biotin supplements can help your nails grow longer and faster. Eating biotin-rich foods also supports nail growth.
- You can purchase biotin supplements at pharmacies or health food stores. The typical biotin dosage for adults is 30 mcg per day.
Hand and Nail Care
Moisturize your nails and hands. A proper nail care routine should include applying moisturizer to your hands and nails. This helps protect your nails from drying out, promoting healthier and longer growth. Aim to moisturize your hands and nails several times a day or whenever your hands feel dry.
- Use a thick cream-based lotion, such as a hand cream.
- When applying lotion, make sure to massage it into your nails and cuticles.
- Especially moisturize after washing your hands, as soap strips away the natural protective oils from your nails, making them more prone to breakage.
Trim rough nail edges. If you notice cracks or jagged edges on your nails, use nail clippers to trim them before the issue worsens. Jagged edges can snag on objects and cause your nails to break. Address rough edges immediately to prevent further damage.
- For less severe edges, you can also use a nail file to smooth them out.
Take care of your cuticles. Cuticles are the most important part of your nails as they protect against infections. Damaging your cuticles (e.g., cutting or pushing them back without softening first) can harm your nails and slow down their growth.
- Softening your cuticles makes it easier to push them back without causing damage. Try soaking your fingertips in warm, soapy water to soften them, then use a cuticle pusher to gently push them back.
- Massage your cuticles to maintain healthy blood circulation around the nail area. While this won’t speed up nail growth, it ensures long-term nail strength.
- Avoid cutting your cuticles, as this can lead to bleeding and infections.
Shape your nails into a rounded form. Avoid filing your nails into a "square" shape. Instead, opt for a "round" or "almond" shape. Square nails are more likely to snag on surfaces like clothing, causing tears and making your nails prone to breaking.
- If you prefer square nails, at least soften the edges to reduce the chances of snagging.
Avoid Nail Biting
Get a manicure. Rough nail edges can tempt you to bite your nails. To avoid this, consider getting regular manicures. Well-trimmed, filed, and polished nails (even with clear polish) are less likely to make you want to bite them.
- Try getting a manicure at least once a week. Trim, file, and buff your nails, then apply a coat of nail polish.
- You can also purchase special nail polish designed to deter nail-biting. These polishes have a bitter taste when you bite your nails.
Manage stress. Stress can increase the urge to bite your nails. Therefore, controlling stress can help reduce this habit. Some effective stress-relief methods to try include:
- Engaging in physical activities like walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, or swimming
- Practicing yoga
- Meditation.
- Deep breathing exercises.
Keep your hands busy. Idle hands are more likely to lead to nail-biting. By keeping your hands occupied, you can reduce the urge to bite your nails. Some activities to try include:
- Playing a musical instrument
- Knitting or crocheting
- Making jewelry
- Cooking.
See a therapist. If your efforts to stop nail-biting aren’t successful, consider consulting a mental health professional, such as a therapist, for assistance. A therapist can help identify the root cause of your nail-biting habit and guide you in finding effective ways to stop it.
