If you’ve ever tried growing longer, stronger nails, then you know it’s no easy task. On average, fingernails take up to one month just to grow approximately two to three millimeters. If your nails are damaged or brittle from years of press-ons, biting, or improper care, the process could take even longer. Daily wear and tear can also lead to snags, breakage, and painful hangnails that further weaken your tips over time. So how do you grow thicker, longer, healthier nails? 

While there’s no quick-fix or magic serum, there are a few simple, effective ways to promote growth and resiliency. Here are some of the best ways to boost your nail care routine and grow out your nails.

1. Practice Proper Grooming

The key to solid, au naturel nails is regular grooming practices. Committing to a routine care practice will not only strengthen your nails but encourage growth by reducing breakage.

Ways to keep your nails maintained include:

• Cleaning your nails regularly. Use gentle soap, lukewarm water and a nail brush for optimal cleanliness. Be sure to dry your skin and nails to avoid bacteria growth.
• Trimming your nails with manicure scissors or clippers. Start by cutting straight across, then curving the edges of the nail. Avoid cutting the nails too short. You can also use manicure scissors to fix breakage or hangnails.
• Moisturize often. Use a natural, unscented moisturizer and rub it into your fingernails, especially the base of your nails where the cuticle is located.
• Use a daily cuticle oil. Apply the oil at the base of the nail and massage it into the area. This will keep the nail and the skin around it hydrated, strong, and healthy.
• File your nails. To prevent snags and tears, use an emory board to gently file your nails. Start from the outer edge and move toward the center for shape control and a smooth finish. 

2. Use Nail Treatments

Nail treatments are another great way to promote healthy, happy nails. You can choose from various options, including keratin treatments, nail strengtheners, and hair-loss treatments.

Keratin treatments: Your fingernails are made from multiple layers of keratin, but years of polish, harsh nail removers, and other elements wear down its natural resiliency causing thin, rigid, and damaged nails. Using a keratin treatment twice daily will diminish the appearance of wear and fortify your fingernails by making them more flexible.

Nail strengtheners: If your nails are soft and bendy, they are more likely to break and slow your growing process. To avoid this, use a nail strengthener (also known as a nail hardener) sparingly. Like a polish, this treatment is painted on the nail and later removed with a safe and gentle nail polish remover. While these work well for short-term results, strengtheners can cause weakness and breakage if used too often or left on too long. For the best results, find a strengthening treatment that contains pantothenic acid and apply a thin layer once a week.

Hair-loss treatments: It sounds weird, but hair-loss treatments may be the answer to optimal nail growth. A study from Dr. Agbai proved that applying 5% over-the-counter minoxidil (a treatment used for hair-loss) to the fingernails twice daily could increase growth within the first week of use. The study explains this may be due to the increased blood flow to the nail.

3. Use Natural Products

When it comes to your nail care products, the best ones to use are generally natural and free of harsh chemicals or toxins. While they may come at a higher cost, they produce better results and cause less damage than cheaper ones. For starters, instead of using a highly concentrated acetone polish remover, switch to an acetone-free remover—it’s formulated with gentle yet effective ingredients that don’t damage your fingernails and the surrounding skin. It would be best if you also considered switching to water-based nail polish and ditching the glue-on nails entirely. When shopping for a decent nail varnish, avoid ones that have chemicals, like toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

4. Take Your Vitamins

If your struggles with nail growth can’t be solved with topical treatments, try taking vitamins proven to help strengthen and elongate your tips! Always consult your physician before consuming any new vitamins.

Biotin: Biotin is a crucial supplement that turns food into energy, and it also boosts the strength of your hair, skin, and nails. Taking a dose of at least 2.5 milligrams daily can significantly improve your nail’s durability and length in a short amount of time. 

Vitamin B9: Nails that are prone to splitting, peeling, and breaking could use an increase in Vitamin B9. This essential supplement has also been shown to improve ridged nail beds and repair and multiply the cells that create your nails. 

Collagen: For improved coloration and overall appearance, Dr. Agbai recommends taking a bioactive collagen peptide once daily. This supplement can accelerate nail growth and decrease breakage in as little as four weeks of consistent use.

5. See A Professional Nail Technician

Seeing a nail professional for your mani-pedi is ideal for achieving and maintaining healthy nails. Not only do nail technicians receive extensive training and undergo rigorous testing to acquire licensing, but they also have sterilized, professional-grade equipment perfect for any service your nails may need. Their knowledge, plus their access to products and equipment, guarantees a high-quality experience with excellent results. Not to mention, it’s nice to be pampered now and then.

At Genesis, our professionals will groom and treat your nails with the highest quality products and offer expert advice so you can care for your nails in between appointments. 

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