Expert Advice on Growing Your Nails Faster

1. Hydrate Your Nails

Just like your skin, nails need regular hydration. Dr. Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist, explains that "nails become fragile and break easily when they’re deprived of moisture." Without moisturizing lotions or oils, they are more vulnerable to damage.

Dr. Graf adds, "Frequent hand washing, exposure to household cleaners, and constant use of nail polish remover are common factors that dehydrate nails and make them more prone to breaking."

Keep hand lotion or cuticle oil handy in your car, purse, or workspace.

2. Don’t Use Your Nails as Makeshift Tools

We’ve all been guilty of using our nails as impromptu tools, but if you’re aiming to grow your nails, this is a mistake. Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce advises, "If you're too rough on your nails, like using them to pry open boxes, they’ll likely break." Instead, use scissors or a box cutter (or keep one on hand) when opening packages. Stay mindful of how you handle things by hand.

3. Assess Your Diet

Although we may not think about the connection between our diet and nail health, what we eat can actually influence how quickly and strongly our nails grow.

"A poor diet certainly contributes to unhealthy nails," says Graf. Emphasize consuming whole fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, leafy greens, and healthy fats such as eggs, lean meats, nuts, and salmon. Nutrients like biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and iron present in these foods play a significant role in promoting strong nails.

To elevate your nail nutrition, consider incorporating these nail supplements into your routine:

• Biotin is known to help reinforce nails and encourage growth, explains Graf. Boyce has witnessed its effects firsthand at her nail salon. "Clients who take biotin supplements often experience remarkably fast nail growth," she says.
• Keratin is another supplement that supports nail growth, as it is the very protein that makes up nails.
• Collagen works wonders not only for your skin but also for your hair and nails. Collagen powder (like Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides) has been shown to hydrate and fortify nails.

4. Shield Your Nails While Doing the Dishes

Handwashing dishes can dry out your skin and even weaken your nails if they're immersed in water for too long. "When you're doing household chores, consider wearing gloves," says Boyce. "Gloves can also help extend the life of your manicure while you wash dishes."

Rubber gloves not only act as a shield against cleaning chemicals (since the solvents in dish soap can cause nails to become brittle and break easily), but they also protect your nails from any bumps or chips that may occur while scrubbing.

5. Consider Using a Topical Strengthener

Both Graf and Boyce suggest using Orly's Breathable Calcium Boost, a topical strengthener applied just like nail polish. "It contains vegan calcium, vitamin B5, vitamin C, and argan oil, all of which help to nourish dry, fragile, and thin nails," says Boyce. It also includes antioxidants to support nail health.

Here’s the method for using a nail strengthener:

1. Apply a nail strengthener to clean, bare nails every other day.
2. After one week, remove it and start fresh.
3. Continue this application and removal cycle until you notice results (usually after one to two weeks).

You can also use nail strengtheners as a base coat beneath your polish or as a top coat above your polish to help extend the life of your manicure.

6. Keep Your Nails Neatly Shaped

"Improper filing can lead to nails breaking easily," explains Boyce. "They might become jagged and catch on things, or be filed at an angle that makes them too thin." She suggests using a glass file, if possible, for a smoother finish.

7. Find the Perfect Nail Length

If you’re lucky enough to have the genes that allow you to grow super-long nails without them chipping or breaking easily, then consider yourself fortunate. "Everyone has their own 'happy length,' which is the longest your nails can grow before they start interfering with your daily activities," explains Boyce.

To determine your happy length, think about your lifestyle: Do you spend a lot of time typing on the computer? Are your hands often involved in physical tasks? If your nails get in the way of basic tasks, it might be a good idea to keep them shorter. A helpful rule is to keep them short enough to avoid snagging but long enough to see the white tip of your nail.

8. Think About a Gel Manicure

There's been an ongoing debate about whether gel manicures are good or bad for your nails, but opting for a nourishing gel polish seems to help maintain long nails. "I personally believe that a quality gel layer, when applied correctly, can provide a protective shield over your natural nails," says Boyce. "It also softens the edges, making it less likely for you to scratch things."

However, proper removal is essential and should ideally be done by a professional. Peeling them off at home can cause serious damage. Boyce advises, "When the gel starts to lift, either visit a salon to have them refilled or completely removed, or use a removal kit with acetone, cotton, and foil to do it properly."

9. Avoid Fake Nails

While fake nails can protect your nail base as it grows, they can weaken your nails over time because of the glue and adhesive used to apply them. This can result in peeling, cracking, and breaking. Gel nails are a better option for your nails as they aren't as tough as acrylics and are less likely to break.