Grow Long Nails

Growing long and strong nails is a process. When you take good care of your nails, you can grow them to the length you wish. You just need to eliminate bad nail habits and take appropriate vitamins. Also, manicuring properly will help you grow long, strong nails.

Tip # 1

Do not wear acrylics and gels. Application and removal of these will damage your nails leaving them dry, brittle, and unlikely to grow. Proper removal can damage your nails because it occurs with soaked nail-beds. When your nail beds are wet, they are most sensitive.

• If you’d like to get gel or acrylic manicures, try alternating between traditional manicure and gel or acrylic manicures.

 

I`ve had gel tip nails in the past. I bought the supplies and did them myself. They actually looked great.. just as if I went to the salon (without the pampering I guess.. haha and the high cost). I bought this Nail Gel Powder and one of these UV Gel Curing Light. They did the trick. I even did a few friends nails as well. The site has so many reasonably priced items. 

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Tip # 2

Stop biting your nails. Nail biting can cause bacterial and fungal infections on your nails and in your mouth. If you have dry or loose skin around your nail beds, make sure to clip them rather than biting them. 

• Keep your nails polished and add nail art, you’ll be less apt to biting.

• Chew gum or play with a small ball, coin, etc to distract yourself.

• You may think that by biting the skin around your nails, you're not actually harming the nail. This is not true and will only cause your nails to weaken due to the added moisture from saliva.

• Pick one to two nails a week that you won’t bite and gradually wean yourself off of the habit.

• If the nail biting is related to anxiety or nervousness, perhaps talking to a therapist may help.

 

I was a bad nail biter. I tried everything to stop but I think what it really came down to was the fact that I didn`t want it bad enough. At one point I even developed the awful fungal infection I mentioned above. It turned my nails green and I tried everything to get it to go away. I even tried bleaching them and filing them until they were so thin they hurt. I made an appointment with a dermatologist which essentially was a waste because they couldn't fit me in for eight months. Eventually after searching around on the internet I found the product below, through amazon, that cleared it up for me.

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Tip # 3

Don't pick at your chipped polish. Picking at your polish can remove the top layer of your nail bed and makes the nails weaker.

 

Tip # 4

Don't skip the base coats and top coats. These protect your nails from staining and they help the polish adhere to your nails, so they chip less. If they chip less, you’re less likely to pick and further damage your nails.

• Carry along pre-moistened nail polish remover packets in your purse. Use them to  remove polish when your nails start to chip. 

• Try a nail hardener. Rock Hard Nails is good nail hardener to try. It can be purchased at Sally Beauty Supply along with many other salon quality nail care products. 

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Tip # 5

Don’t use your nails as tools. You might not even realize you’re doing it, but if you want to grow strong nails, you need to stop using your nails to pick and peel things. Try to keep your nails out of water, it can soften the nail and make it weak and flexible.

• Try to slow down... Have scissors available, or another tool, to help you open, scrape, or peel anything you need during the day. Try to avoid doing activities that will cause your nails to bend. Apply clear nail polish to avoid biting your nails.

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Tip # 6

Eat plenty of Vitamin H (biotin). Biotin encourages the growth and strength of nails, hair, and skin. Try to consume between 30 and 40 micrograms per day through food or supplements. Whole grains, mushrooms, bananas, salmon, and avocado are all good sources of biotin.

 

Tip # 7

Eat foods with folic acid. Folic acid and  Vitamin B9, help prevent damage to your nerve cells and keeps red blood cells healthy. These are the best vitamins for nail growth, and you cannot have too much because your body naturally excretes the excess. Fish, red meat, cheese, and fortified soy products are high in folic acid.

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Tip # 8

Consume Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps strengthen your nails. The daily recommended dose is between 700 and 900 micrograms a day. Sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and leafy greens are rich in Vitamin A.

 

Tip # 9

Get plenty of Vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in immune health. It helps recovery inside the body. The recovery helps promote nail growth and provides strength. Oranges, kale, strawberries, and bell peppers are high in Vitamin C.

 

Tip # 10

Shape and care for your nails. You need to start with a proper base. You need clean and healthy nails to begin with. File them into shape and keep cuticles trimmed.

• File the right way. Start from the outside edge and file toward the center. Filing back and forth in a repetitive motion will weaken your nails.

• A basic round shape is easiest to grow out. A square nail is more likely to be used as a tool.

 

Tip # 11

Properly cuticle care Soak your nails in warm water for 5 minutes to loosen cuticles. Put a cuticle remover on your nails and use a cuticle stick to push the dead skin back. Rinse off the remover and debris. You should do this up to 4 times a week.

• Use hyaluronic acid on and around your cuticles after pushing them back.

• Apply moisturizer around your cuticles to  prevent hangnails and broken nails.