How to grow long and healthy nails at home

The appearance of nails is influenced by external factors and our health. Proper care, diet, and vitamins can help you grow and maintain healthy, beautiful nails for a long time. Read Joy-pup for tips on how to achieve this.

What affects the condition of nails?

A nail is a dense, keratinized structure on the fingertips of the hands and feet, composed of keratin—a protein that gives it strength. Nails are derivatives of the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and serve protective and sensory functions. They shield the sensitive tips of fingers from mechanical damage and allow us to perform precise actions, such as picking up small objects. Nails grow about 1-3 millimeters per month.

Due to their mineral structure, nails reflect the state of our body. A deficiency in selenium, calcium, or phosphorus can affect the appearance of nails, making them brittle. Illnesses that weaken the body also negatively impact nail health.

Negative factors affecting nail health include improper manicure techniques (such as overuse of acetone for polish removal). Regularly moisturize your hands with cosmetic products. Remember to apply cream to the fingers, around the nails, and on the nail plate itself.

Smoking has a significant impact on the appearance and health of nails. Tobacco smoke produces free radicals that accelerate skin aging. It contains resinous substances that penetrate the nail plate and skin of the fingers, making the nails brittle and discolored.

Working in an office and frequent typing on a computer keyboard can negatively affect the condition of your nails. The impact on the keyboard creates microtrauma to the nail plate, leading to brittleness and splitting. Daily contact with detergents and cleaning agents also affects nail health.

How to care for nail health?

Following these recommendations will help you grow long, healthy nails faster and prevent brittleness.

• Proper Nutrition. Include foods rich in biotin (e.g., eggs, nuts), vitamin E (nuts, seeds), and calcium (dairy products, greens) in your diet. These vitamins and minerals promote strong nail growth.
• Moisturizing nails and cuticles. Regularly moisturize the cuticle with oils (e.g., coconut or almond) and hand cream to prevent dryness and brittleness.
• Avoid aggressive products. Do not use acetone-based nail polish removers, as they dry out nails and slow growth. Opt for gentle, non-acetone removers.
• Use gloves for household chores. Washing dishes and using household chemicals without gloves can damage nails. Gloves protect them from chemical exposure and brittleness.
• Regular filing and proper shape. File nails in one direction to avoid splitting, and choose a natural shape (oval or square), which is less prone to breakage.
• Strengthening treatments. Support nail growth with special strengthening base coats containing vitamins and minerals.
• Prevention of harmful habits. Avoid biting nails or picking at the cuticle, as these habits slow growth and damage the nail plate.
• Taking vitamin complexes. Vitamins and minerals for nail health include vitamins A and E, B vitamins, omega fatty acids, biotin, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, folic acid, and horsetail extract.