How to Grow Nails Faster: Make These Changes to Get Healthier Nails

Your nails can symbolise your overall health and wellbeing, but there's no scientifically proven way to ensure they grow faster. However, you can take steps to strengthen your nails and ensure they continue to grow, which reduces the chances of them breaking.

In this post, we'll reveal some effective ways to keep your nails looking great through lifestyle changes, supplements, and beauty regimes.

How does nail growth work?

Everyone's different, and your fingernails can grow 0.5mm to 1.2mm weekly - with the average person experiencing 3.5 millimetres monthly. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which also impacts hair and skin health, so lower levels of keratin can affect how quickly your nails grow.

Toenails grow much slower than fingernails, with an average rate of around 1.6mm monthly. The primary purpose of your nails is to protect the fingers and toes, so many people notice that different nails experience varying growth rates.

Which factors impact nail growth?

Before we reveal how you can promote nail growth, it's important to understand which factors impact it. They include:

• Age: Younger people experience faster nail growth than those over 50. The main reasons for this are due to less blood flow circulation and keratin production, which inevitably restrict growth.
• Genetics: While there's little evidence to conclusively prove this, many people believe that nail growth rates are inherited.
• Diet: Your diet is key to multiple bodily functions, including nail growth. We'll cover common deficiencies that weaken nails later, but failing to consume a balanced diet can have negative implications.
• Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, including skin conditions and underactive thyroids, can weaken the nails and surrounding skin (Paloma Health).
• Climate: There's conflicting research into whether a warmer climate will accelerate nail growth. While some believe warmer temperatures increase blood circulation, leading to faster growth, others say there's no known link
• Deficiencies: Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can restrict growth, as your body needs them to keep the nails healthy.

As you can see, plenty of factors might slow nail growth, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything about it. Next, we'll cover some great ways to strengthen nails and ensure nothing holds their growth back.

Which vitamins and minerals support nail growth?

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is intrinsic to maintaining healthy and strong nails as it enhances the body's ability to absorb iron. When you can't get enough iron, it impacts red blood cell production and division. While increasing your intake can promote nail growth, it might not significantly impact them.

Due to the many other benefits Vitamin B12 offers, it's still a vital addition to your daily diet. It's found in dairy products, eggs and fish, but daily supplements will increase your levels.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

You'll notice that many shampoos and skincare products contain biotin, one of the most important supplements for nail growth. While there's limited research to conclusively prove Vitamin B7's impact on nail health, one study found that it can reduce brittle nails (NIH).

Adding biotin to your daily intake can strengthen the nails and ensure they remain healthy. It's commonly found in seeds, nuts, bananas, and avocados, but you can also use supplements to increase your B7 intake.

Vitamin C

Also known as the antioxidant powerhouse, Vitamin C is instrumental in collagen production and prevents free radical damage. When you don't get enough Vitamin C, your nails can become weaker, which inevitably limits their growth.

Essential minerals include:

• Zinc: Zinc is a vital mineral that supports cell division and growth, so low levels of it can impact nail growth. Foods that are high in zinc include chickpeas, shellfish, pumpkin seeds and beef, but you can also use zinc supplements as a convenient way to increase your levels.
• Calcium: It will come as no surprise that calcium is vital for nail health. Most people get enough of it from diet alone, but low levels can make the nails weaker and more brittle.
• Magnesium: Another mineral that supports nail growth is magnesium. It's essential for protein synthesis; low levels can cause brittle nails.

Specialist nail growth supplements

If you want healthy nails, combining your vitamin and mineral needs into one supplement is more affordable and convenient. Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies are a great way to increase your biotin intake, enhance collagen production, and enjoy a combination of 12 vitamins and minerals.

Available in gummy form, you can think of these raspberry-flavoured supplements as multivitamins for your nails.

Diet and lifestyle changes that support healthy nail growth

In addition to taking supplements, you can also make positive dietary and lifestyle changes to promote overall health and ensure your nails have every chance to grow stronger.

Rethink your diet

Supplements are fantastic for filling nutritional deficiencies, but they're not meant to replace the effects of a healthy diet. Eating lots of junk food but taking a daily multivitamin doesn't mean you'll have the same health as someone who avoids foods high in sugar and saturated fats.

A healthy and balanced diet contains optimal protein levels, good fats, fibre, and complex carbohydrates that can strengthen nails and prevent breakage. Everyone has unique dietary needs, but the NHS Eatwell Guide is a good starting point.

Get regular health checks

Going for your annual health check won't magically make your nails grow, but it can identify any health issues. Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies are easy to spot, while others fly under the radar but cause ongoing problems for your health - and nails.

Thyroid disorders are common contributors to poor nail health, and a simple blood test can identify the condition. In some cases, you might have a fungal infection, which is easily treatable with the right creams.

Manage stress

Research shows that stress can negatively impact a person's hair, skin, and nails, with brittle nails being the most common concern (Science Daily). It's also vital to remember that stress can lead some people to bite their nails excessively.

Biting your nails can actually cause them to grow back faster than normal, but it also impacts nail strength, which means they'll break easily. Taking care of your mental wellbeing with the right supplements and lifestyle changes can enhance your nails.

Nail health and care tips

Making minor changes to how you care for your nails can strengthen them and support growth. You probably know the importance of regular nail trims, so we'll skip past that one and focus on other tips for nail growth.

Avoid harsh nail polish remover and polish

Nail varnish removers that contain acetone can damage nails over time, stripping them of their natural oils. If you wear nail polish a lot, you should look for an acetone-free alternative, which will protect the nails and ensure they retain vital oils.

Always check the ingredients in nail polishes and opt for non-toxic brands. They use gentler ingredients that are less likely to damage your nails.

Nail care at home

Most people don't think about massaging their cuticles, but it can prevent the nails from becoming brittle by enhancing blood circulation. You don't need to spend a fortune at the nail salon, as using cuticle oil or lotion every day is more than enough to promote growth.

Trimming the nails regularly will help them grow back healthier. When filing them, remember to use one direction instead of multiple directions.

Preventative measures

If your main goal is to achieve healthy nail growth, it's best to avoid or limit the use of gel and acrylic nails. They might look great, but they can damage your natural nails and prevent growth. You can still wear polish, but applying a nail strengthener can protect the nails.

It's also a good idea to wear gloves when washing dishes or using chemicals to prevent the nails from drying out.

Final thoughts

Just like you take steps to ensure healthy hair, the right self-care routine and supplements can prevent weak nails and ensure they continue to grow. While you can't make your nails grow, the tips in this guide will prevent them from breaking and promote nail thickness.

If you're looking for high-quality nail supplements, Sealions is your go-to resource. We have a variety of vitamins and minerals at fantastic prices, including the Hair, Skin & Nails gummies. At just £5.00 for a 60-day supply, shopping with us gives you unparalleled quality without costing a fortune.