Tips on how to grow long, healthy nails
by Donna Kelly
Let's be honest, a beautiful set of, long, natural healthy nails
looks classy and sexy. Immaculately manicured long nails say a lot
about your personal style and confidence. We know growing long,
healthy nails can be a challenge. Our simple tips show how you too
can have a beautiful set of long natural nails.
First a quick biology lesson:
Your nails grow from the area under your cuticle called the
matrix. The matrix is the living part of the nail. Your cuticle is
the layer of skin that protects the matrix so the cuticle is very
important for nail health and growth. As new nail cells grow in the
matrix, older nail cells are pushed out toward your fingertips and
become hard and compacted. Heredity and health determine how fast
nails grow but nails typically grow about 0.1 millimeter a day,
which means that it takes a fingernail about four to six months to
fully regenerate. Healthy nails are smooth, without ridges or
grooves. They're uniform in colour and consistency and free of
spots or discoloration.
Did you know: Nails grow faster in the summer than in the
winter, nails on your dominant hand grow faster, and men's nails
grow more quickly than women's, except when a woman is pregnant
when nail growth speeds up.
How long should my nails be ?
This is obviously very much a matter of personal choice but a
couple of things to bear in mind:
The optimum practical length for your nails depends on your
activities and your lifestyle. In general the nail tip should
extend no further than one third of the body of the nail.
Nails break less often when they are all of equal length and
shaped square, oval, or round.
Tips on growing, long and healthy natural nails:
Long nails tip 1: Don't use your nails as tools. Rather than
using your nails use other parts of your hand, or a pen, to perform
tasks like dialing the phone. Don't pick, poke or scrape with your
nails and especially avoid opening soft drink cans with your
nails.
Long nails tip 2: Wear gloves. Detergents are particularly harsh
on your nails and can cause splitting and peeling. Wear gloves when
washing dishes or cleaning. You should also wear gloves when
gardening to protect your nails from infection and prevent dryness,
damage, and loss of natural oils.
Long nails tip 3: Don't bit your nails or pick at your cuticles.
Aside from the obvious reason of biting shortening your nails these
habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your
nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter the nail bed and cause an
infection. Remember your nails grow slowly so an injured nail
retains signs of damage for several months.
Long nails tip 4: Look after your cuticles. The cuticle is a
barrier that keeps bacteria from the nail matrix, where new cells
are generated, so it should not be cut or trimmed. On the other
hand you do want to keep cuticles from becoming overgrown, which
suffocates nail growth. If your cuticle has grown out on to the
nail plate, after sufficiently softening your cuticles in warm
water, very gently use a cuticle pusher to push your cuticles back.
As well as pushing your cuticles back this will help to remove dead
skin and debris that may have accumulated. Hold the cuticle pusher
at an angle, and use tiny circular movements, so that you are as
gentle and careful as possible and do not damage the cuticle. When
you have finished doesn't forget to moisturize your hands.
Long nails tip 5: Look after your nails. Trim fingernails and
clean under the nails regularly. Use manicure scissors or clippers
and a nail file to smooth nail edges. Never pull off hangnails -
doing so almost always results in ripping living tissue. Clip
hangnails off, leaving a slight angle outward.
Long nails tip 6: Caring for brittle nails. Trim brittle nails
after a bath, or a 15 minute hand soak in bath oil, and then apply
a moisturiser. Don't use nail polish remover more than twice a
month. Instead, touch up the nail polish. When you do need to use a
nail polish remover avoid those that use acetone, which dries out
nails. Also consider using a nail strengthener and growth
formula.
Long nails tip 7: The role of diet. Unless your diet is
deficient in protein and vitamins dietary changes that supposedly
strengthen nails won't work. Your nails can however offer telltale
signs of dietary problems such as: Lack of vitamin A and calcium
causing dryness and brittleness. Lack of protein, folic acid and
vitamin C causing hang nails White bands across the nails caused by
protein deficiency. A lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid causing
splitting nails. Insufficient intake of vitamin B12 leading to
excessive dryness, very rounded and curved ends and darkening of
nails. Insufficient zinc causing development of white spots on the
nails. Red skin around your cuticles can be caused by poor
metabolism of essential fatty acids.
If you are concerned that your diet may not be balanced and
healthy you should consult a medical or nutritional
professional.
Long nails tip 8: Moisturise your nails. Nails need moisture
just like your hands do. Rub lotion into your nails when
moisturising your hands. Be sure to apply moisturiser each time you
wash your hands
Long nails tip 9: Use coloured nail polish. Use coloured nail
polish while you are growing your nails. If you prefer a softer
look, try a sheer shade. Coloured nail polish helps you become more
aware of your hands and how to use them in a way that keeps your
nail polish undamaged and hence your nails protected. It also makes
chips easier to spot so that you can make immediate repairs.
Long, beautiful natural nails take commitment and special care
to grow and maintain. Be patient, the average nail takes 3 to 6
months to grow.
Frequently asked questions:
My nails are weak. What can I do to strengthen them?
Unfortunately, if you have naturally weak nails then it's
probably hereditary and you can't permanently change them. You can,
however, do things to make them stronger. Try a nail strengthener
and growth formula. Many women are confused about how to use these
products, so here are a few tips: Make sure you apply a thin coat.
Because you'll be applying it daily you don't want it to build up
too much. If you're at the very beginning stages of growing out
your nails only use a strengthener and growth formula on your nail
plate and apply it every day. Once your nails start to protrude,
and you want to apply nail polish, use the strengthener and growth
formula as a base coat and as a top coat.
Why do I have ridges in my nails?
Ridges or corrugations (referred to as beau's lines) in nails
occur when nail growth is uneven, usually because of illness or
injury. Gentle buffing can minimize ridges. A Ridge Filler will
also help to level the nail surface, smoothing out shallow ridges
and other imperfections.
What causes my nails to turn yellow and how can I get rid of the
yellow stains?
Darker coloured nail polish can cause a chemical reaction
between the nail polish's coloring agent and the nail plate. This
can cause nails to develop a yellowish color. While it is different
for every person this reaction can occur in a matter of days or
within weeks of wearing the nail colour. To prevent nails from
yellowing always use a base coat before applying nail polish. Not
only will this prevent staining but it can also extend the life of
the nail polish. For already yellow nails soak nails in a solution
of 1/2 cup of water and the juice of one lemon for up to 15
minutes, once a week
Why are my nails so flaky around the cuticle beds? What causes
this?
Unless you have an allergy to something you are handling it is
likely to be dryness which is the cause. It is important to correct
this since, as mentioned, cuticles are very important for nail
health. You should regularly moisturize your cuticles, and
hands.
My nails can grow, but after a while they begin to peel and stop
growing. What can I do to stop this?
Many women want long, well-shaped nails, but the stresses of
daily life and work may make them a challenge to grow. Your nails
could potentially benefit from additional protection when they
reach more vulnerable lengths. A nail strengthener and growth
formula could assist.
What causes thin nails and what can make them stronger?
When your general health is good and you are not handling strong
chemicals that might affect the nails, it is likely to be heredity
that produces thin nails. Your nails could also potentially benefit
from a nail strengthener and growth formula.
About the Author
Donna is a trained makeup artist with her own beauty business.
As both a business women and a mom with 2 children Donna
understands the time pressures on women today and through this, and
other articles, has endeavored to take the complexity out of
looking great with some "busy women friendly" beauty tips and
advice. If you would like to read more of Donna's articles check
out her website: http://www.coloursandscents.co.nz
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