Many of us struggle with growing our nails long, but end up trimming them in the process because they get chipped, damaged or broken. In few cases some of us have issues regarding inadequate nail growth. Most female prefer longer nail and that has created huge business of nail salon. Few females feel their nails are ugly and cannot be periodically trimmed. Most females among such group lose hope of ever growing long nails. Nail growth depends on nutritional status.1 A study has shown that in general the fingernails tend to grow 3.74 mm in a month,2 but the specifics may vary from one individual to another. Fingernails tend to grow quicker and faster than the toenails. Though, acrylic nails or nail extensions are very much in vogue these days, but there is nothing like having naturally longer finger nails.
There are several reasons why our nails won’t grow long. Nail growth slows in elderly individual.3 Nails texture changes and consistency become weak and brittle. Brittle nails break and one of the most common reason for nail become brittle and weak is inadequate supplements of protein, minerals and vitamins. Like our hair, nails are made up of protein called keratin and nail become brittle when keratin content in nail is decreases in concentration.4 However, nail growth is also restricted because of shortage of minerals and vitamin.
There are several organic ointment, lotion and pills available on the counter as well as through prescription that has proved by research to help grow nail. There are side effects when such medications are taken or applied over nail and skin. We will discuss the choices of home remedies that may help to grow the nail.
Home Remedies to Grow Nails Faster and Stronger Naturally
Choices of home remedies to grow nail faster-
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Egg shell
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Horsetail
- Flaxseed Oil
- Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Olive oil keeps the nails healthy and moisturized since it is rich in vitamin E. Olive oil improves blood circulation in the nails when it is massaged properly thus making it an excellent home remedy to facilitate nail growth naturally.
Method 1:
Heat up some olive oil till it gets lukewarm. Massage this olive oil into your nails and cuticles for about five minutes. Also, keep your hands covered at night with gloves for the olive oil to get absorbed. In no time, this home remedy will make your nails grow faster and stronger in no time!
Method 2:
Heat up some olive oil till it is lukewarm. Soak your finger nails in this warm olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes before sleeping. Also, keep your hands covered at night with gloves for the olive oil to get absorbed quickly and to avoid staining your bedclothes. This home remedy of soaking your nails in warm olive oil gives fast and immediate results in moisturizing the nails and cuticles thus allowing them to grow faster and stronger naturally.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil improves blood circulation in the nails when massaged properly, thus facilitating faster and stronger nail growth in a natural way. Coconut oil is known to act as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic.5 Daily application of coconut oil over nail has shown to improve nail growth.
Method 1:
Heat up some coconut oil till it gets lukewarm. Massage the coconut oil into your nails and cuticles for about five minutes. Next, keep your hands covered at night with gloves, so the coconut oil gets quickly absorbed and to avoid staining your bedclothes. This home remedy of using coconut oil will not only moisture your nails, but also make them grow faster and stronger.
Method 2:
Heat up some coconut oil till it gets lukewarm. Soak your nails in warm coconut oil for 15 to 20 minutes before sleeping. Now, keep your hands covered at night with gloves so the coconut oil gets quickly absorbed and to avoid staining your bedclothes. This method gives fast and immediate results in moisturizing the nails and cuticles thus allowing them to grow faster.
Egg Shells to Grow Nails Faster & Stronger Naturally
Another common method to grow the nails faster naturally is by using eggshells. Most of us throw the egg shells after eating the egg thinking they are not useful.
However, not many of us know that these eggshells are rich in proteins, iron, calcium and other minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are very essential for the nail growth. The way in which you can use eggshells to make your nails grow faster are as follows:
Take the eggshells, crush them and put them in a blender. Add almonds and flax seeds with the egg shells to the blender. Blend the above mentioned ingredients till you get a powder. You can store this powder in an airtight container to be used whenever required. Take 1 teaspoon of the powder with warm milk each morning. Follow this home remedy of using eggshell for at least one month and you will see the changes in your nails where they start growing faster and will become healthy and strong in a natural way.
Lemon Juice to Grow Nails Stronger & Faster Naturally
Vitamin C and antioxidants present in lemon are very essential for nail growth. Lemon juice when used frequently and regularly on the nails, help in getting rid of the yellowness on the nails. Lemon juice also makes the nails shine when used regularly.
Method 1:
A nail coat or a solution to soak the nails can be prepared using the lemons. You can add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and three to four tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl and mix them. Slightly heat this solution in the microwave. Next, soak your nails in this homemade lemon juice concoction for about 10 to 15 minutes. Do this remedy twice or thrice a week to see remarkable difference in your nails. This lemon juice home remedy not only makes your nails stronger, but will also help you get rid of the yellowness of the nails and add shine to your nails.
Method 2:
Take a slice of lemon or a used lemon peel and rub it on finger your nails for about 5 to 10 minutes. Once done, wash your nails with lukewarm water. Next, dry your nails thoroughly and apply a nourishing moisturizer on your nails. This natural remedy will make your nails grow faster and stronger in no time; but make sure that you do not get any lemon juice on cuts in around your nails as it will sting.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is also considered very healthy and essential to grow nails faster and stronger naturally. The Vitamin C and antioxidants present in the orange makes the nails healthy while allowing them to grow faster and stronger. Vitamin C also promotes the collagen production, which is very essential for the nails. Orange juice has folic acid as well, which promotes the growth of nails thus making it an excellent home remedy to grow nails faster and stronger naturally.
Method 1:
Squeeze juice from fresh oranges into a bowl. Soak your nails in fresh orange juice for about 15 minutes. Next, wash your nails with lukewarm water and dry them thoroughly. Apply a nourishing moisturizer on your nails. This remedy will make your nails shiny, healthy, and strong.
Horsetail
Horsetail is also considered a very good herb to promote natural nail growth. Horsetail is a rich source of flavonoids, potassium and silicon.6 In addition it also promotes storage of essential minerals, calcium and silica, which are very good for the nail growth and increasing the strength of the nails in females.
Method 1:
Add 3/4 teaspoon of dried horsetail to boiling water and after adding, switch off the flame in 1 minute. Allow the dried horsetail herbs to soak in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the herbs from the water and let it cool. Soak your nails in this horsetail water for 20 minutes. Do this remedy for at least 3 to 4 days in a week for one month and you will see the dramatic changes in your nails where they will start growing faster and stronger and become healthy in a natural way.
Method 2:
Horsetail tea is also available in the market and one can drink horsetail tea every day to have healthy nails. Drink Horsetail tea for at least one month and your nails will grow faster and stronger naturally.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseeds are known to have high omega-3 content and are considered as an excellent home remedy to treat various hairs and nail problems. Flaxseeds also contain vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, lecithin, which is essential for growth of nails. Published data suggests flaxseed is used to treat nail disorder.7 The experience by several individuals suffering with slow nail growth suggests suffering with slow nail growth When consumed regularly, flaxseeds are also very healthy as they help prevent nails from cracking, splitting, drying or brittleness.
Method 1:
Heat up some flaxseed oil till it gets lukewarm. Massage this warm flaxseed oil into your nails and cuticles for about 5 minutes. Keep your hands covered at night with gloves, so the flaxseed oil can get absorbed more quickly and this will also prevent stains to the bedclothes.
Method 2:
Heat up some flaxseed oil on a gas stove or in microwave till it gets lukewarm. Soak your nails in the warm flaxseed oil for 15 to 20 minutes before sleeping. Also, keep your hands covered at night with gloves for the flaxseed oil to get absorbed. This flaxseed remedy gives fast and immediate results in moisturizing the nails and cuticles thus allowing them to grow faster and stronger naturally.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are also considered very healthy and useful home and natural remedy when it comes to promoting nail growth. Tomatoes contain a high amount of biotin, which is responsible for good nail and hair health. Tomatoes are also very rich in vitamins A and C, which help in promoting nail growth naturally.
Method 1:
A nail coat or a solution to soak the nails can be prepared using the tomatoes. Add 1 tablespoon of tomato juice in three to four tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl. Slightly heat this solution in the microwave and then soak your nails in it for 10 minutes. Do this remedy twice or thrice a week to see considerable difference in your nails. Following this simple home remedy will help you get rid of the yellowness of the nail and make them bright and shiny along with making them grow faster and stronger naturally.
Method 2:
Take a slice of tomato or a tomato peel and rub it on your nails for about 10 minutes. Once done, wash your nails with lukewarm water and dry them thoroughly. Next, apply good moisturizer on your nails. Make sure that you do not apply tomato juice on any cuts around your nails as it will sting. Follow this home and natural remedy diligently to make your nails grow faster and stronger.
Self-Care Tips to Grow Nails Stronger & Faster Naturally
Taking good care of your nails is very important to help them grow faster and stronger naturally. Nails and cuticles should be treated well for the nails to grow fast and stay healthy. There are some self-care tips which one can follow to grow nails stronger and faster naturally.
Get Rid of Dry Skin
The dry skin around the nails and on your hands makes your skin more prone to bacterial and fungal infections, which in turn causes damage to the nails as well. Keeping the skin and cuticles moisturized is the basic step towards getting longer and stronger nails.
Regular Grooming of Nails Can Help
Regular grooming involves keeping the nails regularly cut and filed and in shape. Keeping the nails in proper shape will prevent them from breaking while you are trying to grow them. Along with grooming, keeping the nails dry is also of prime importance in growing them long. The nails should be thoroughly dried after you have taken a shower or a bath, as wet nails have a tendency to break and chip more often than dry nails.
Massage Can Help Grow Your Nails Stronger & Faster Naturally
Certain systemic diseases also tend to make your nails weak and reduce the blood circulation towards the nail bed. Getting a good massage will improve the blood circulation towards the nail bed and would help nails grow long and strong.
Avoid Aggressive Manicure & Pedicure
The use of un-sterilized manicure and pedicure tools at a beauty salon is one of the causes for transmission of infections from one individual to another. It is good option to carry your own personal kit while you visit a salon for manicure and pedicure. Also, sometimes people get their cuticles trimmed leaving them open to infections. This might lead to an infection of the nail bed and would impede the growth of the nails along with making them weak. Make sure you get manicure and pedicure done at a professional salon to avoid all these problems and help grow your nails faster and stronger naturally.
Avoid Putting Chemicals on Nails
In addition to improper manicure and pedicure techniques, putting harsh chemicals on the nails also takes the strength away from your nails and hinders their easy growth.
The etchant used on nails makes them weak. Other than this, using very harsh nail paint removers also make your nails weak and make them break or chip off when you are trying to grow them. Avoid using very harsh chemicals on the nails to keep them strong and to promote their fast and strong growth.
Get Treatment for any Underlying Systemic Diseases to Grow Nails Stronger & Faster
There are several underlying systemic diseases, which cause the nails to become weak and brittle. One of such diseases is diabetes. It is necessary to treat any underlying diseases, so your nails also benefit along with your overall health.
When to Consult Your Physician-
If you see any discoloration of nail or nail bed you must see your primary care physician. Most discolorations are caused by fungal infection. Any soft tissue swelling or growth pushing nail or any skin cancerous changes around nail should be evaluated by your physician. Loose nail or blood under nail indicates traumatic separation of nail from its attachment with soft nail bed. In that case you must see primary care physician or dermatologist.
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