You’re trying to grow your nails quickly, but they’re just not co-operating with you! What does a girl gotta do to have nails that grow fast and strong? Find out here.
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Nails add beauty to your hands, while adding that extra something to your overall appearance. Also, if your nails are healthy, then they are a reflection of your overall health. Your nails and your hair are made up of the same protein, called keratin. The white area of the nail bed, which breaks easily, becomes brittle and softens, also loses its shine as your nails get older.
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Fingernails usually grow faster than toenails, but it’s still relatively slow. On average, fingernails grow about 1/10th of an inch each month, but they could grow slower than that too. So what slows down nail growth? There are several factors that contribute to this, and those include:
- Hormonal factors
- Aging
- Chemotherapy
- Certain medications
- Nutritional deficiencies
If your nail growth is poor and/or slow, it could the reason for brittleness of your nails, breakage and other related problems.
Home remedies for nail growth
So how does one go about growing strong nails quickly? With these natural home remedies for nail growth, of course!
1. Biotin
If you want your nails to be healthy and strong, a number of vitamins need to be consumed. One particular vitamin that boosts nail growth is called biotin, which encourages nail and hair growth, by improving the keratin infrastructure.
Remedies
- Consume foods that are rich in biotin like eggs, carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, salmon, almonds, soybeans, milk, strawberries, walnuts, oats, lentils, whole grains, and cucumber.
- You could also ingest biotin supplement, but only after consulting your doctor.
2. Coconut oil
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Coconut oil is an excellent home remedy that helps in healthy nail growth. Not only does it moisturize your nails, it also helps strengthen your cuticles, cures hangnails, fungal infections of the nail itself or the cuticles.
Remedies
- Before going to bed, use warm extra virgin coconut oil to massage your nails and hands thoroughly. Do this in circular motions to improve blood circulation.
- In a small tub, add a quarter cup each of coconut oil and honey, and 4 drops of rosemary essential oil. Warm this in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Now, soak your nails in this for about 15-20 minutes. Repeat this remedy once or twice a week for best results.
3. Egg shells
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Eggs shells are rich in protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which help boost nail growth, while also helping strengthening them.
Remedy
- In a blender, crush the shells of at least 3-4 eggs to a fine powder. Add almonds, pecans, and flax seeds to this and grind them all to a powder. Use 1 teaspoon of this powder in a glass of warm milk every morning for best results. Try it for at least a month to see noticeable results.
4. Flaxseed oil
Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to boost nail growth. Also, it contains vital nutrients like potassium, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, and proteins, which are all essential for healthy nail growth. Additionally, it also helps treat cracked, split, and/or brittle nails.
Remedy
- Warm a few tablespoons of flaxseed oil and use it to massage your nails and hands gently for a few minutes. Do this before going to bed, so that the effect of the oil is maximum. Repeat this remedy at least once a day for positive results.
5. Garlic
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Garlic is another home remedy commonly used to boost nail growth. Additionally, it helps protect nails against infection, all thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Remedies
- Slice a clove of garlic in half and rub your nails with it for a few minutes. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing your hands. Follow this remedy at least twice or thrice a week for positive results.
- Blend a few cloves of garlic into a smooth paste. Apply this to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy every day for a week for best results.
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6. Horsetail
Horsetail has long been used as an effective natural remedy for nail growth because it’s rich in calcium, silica, and other useful minerals.
Remedy
- To 2 cups of boiling water, add ¾ of a spoon of dried horsetail stems and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before straining the whole thing. Soak your nails in this solution for about 20 minutes to boost your nail growth. Repeat this remedy at least 4 times a week for best results.
7. Lemon
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Lemons are rich in citric acid and vitamin C, where the latter is essential for healthy nail growth. Plus, it helps treat yellow nails, while giving your nails a nice shine.
Remedies
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Warm this in the microwave for about 20 seconds, before soaking your nails in this for 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy every day for positive results.
- Take a slice of lemon and rub it gently on your nails for about 5 minutes, before rinsing it off with warm water. Pat dry and apply a hand cream or lotion to seal in the moisture. Repeat this remedy once a day for best results.
Pro tip: If you have cuts or nicks or hangnails, avoid rubbing lemon over it since it will sting.
8. Olive oil
Olive oil is a natural moisturizer, which helps keep your nails healthy, strong, and well-moisturized. It delves deep into your skin and nails, thus nourishing them from the inside out. Also, it contains vitamin E, which is known to boost blood circulation, repair damaged nails, and promote healthy, strong nail growth.
Remedies
- Warm a few tablespoons of olive oil and use it to massage your nails and hands before going to bed. Use circular motions for this massage, and do it for about 5 minutes. Follow this remedy every night for best results.
- Soak your nails in a tub of warm olive oil for half an hour once a day to promote healthy nail growth.
9. Orange juice
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Orange juice is another ingredient which contains high quantities of vitamin C, which is known to encourage and boost nail production, while also helping keep them healthy. Also, it contains folic acid, another nutrient which is essential for nail growth.
Remedy
- Pour fresh orange juice into a small tub and soak your nails in it for 15 minutes. Wash your hands off with warm water, pat dry, and use a hand cream or lotion to seal in the moisture. Repeat this remedy once every day till you see visible improvement.
10. Protein
Nails are essential protein, and if you’re looking to boost its growth, then you need to add more protein in your daily dietary intake. A lack of protein in your diet causes white spots on your nail beds, while also making them weak.
Remedies
- Consume protein-rich foods that are considered non-vegetarian like eggs, fish, poultry, pork, and beef.
- Consume protein-rich foods that are considered vegetarian like spinach, legumes, seeds, nuts, and other green leafy vegetables.
- Drink protein shakes or add protein powder to a glass of milk and drink it. However, it’s imperative that you consult your doctor before taking any protein supplements.
11. Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is a herb that helps nails to grow quickly, since it contains essential nutrients that are required for nail growth. Also, it is known to help strengthen your nails, thus getting rid of brittle and/or weak nails.
Remedy
- To 1 cup of hot water, add 3 teaspoons of dried stinging nettle leaves and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Add some honey to it and drink a cup of this tea every day for best results.
12. Tomatoes
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Tomatoes are a rich source of the vitamin biotin, which boosts nail growth. Also, tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, which are important for healthy, strong nails and skin.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together half a cup each of tomato juice and olive oil, and soak your nails in it for 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy once or twice a day for positive results.
Suggested read: 11 essential home remedies for soft, beautiful feet
Additional tips
- Eat a healthy diet to grow healthy, strong nails.
- Trim and cut your nails regularly to aid in their growth.
- Before going to bed, apply petroleum jelly on your nails and hands to leep them well-moisturized.
- Take multi-vitamins to boost your nail growth (but only after consulting your doctor).
- Avoid nail paints because they contain harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, or sulfonamide.
- Keep your nails and cuticles clean and dry to avoid fungal and/or bacterial infections.
- Do not bite your nails or pick at hangnails.
- Avoid exposing your nails and hands to harsh chemicals found in cleaning products, detergents, and other such products.
- Protect you hands by wearing gloves to protect your nails and hands from damage.
These are all the home remedies for nail growth that work effectively to give you strong, healthy, and moisturized nails in no time at all.
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
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