Long nails that also look healthy are every girl’s dream. But are all the girls in the world blessed with beautiful nails? Of course not! Now, have you ever wondered why some girls have beautiful nails while others only wish for them? Maybe because the former take extra care of their nails! Yes, with proper care and attention, you, too, can have enviably beautiful long nails. If you don’t know how to care for your nails, just follow the hacks to grow your nails long and strong, dished out below.
In This Article
- Protect your nails by wearing gloves when doing household chores or working with chemicals.
- Consider taking biotin supplements, which promote the growth and strength of nails, hair, and skin.
- Try a keratin supplement to strengthen your nails from the inside out.
- It’s crucial to dry nails promptly after they get wet to prevent them from becoming brittle and susceptible to breakage, as prolonged water exposure is inevitable even with protective gloves on.
- Upgrade your nail polish remover to a non-acetone formula to avoid drying out your nails.
- Invest in a “soft” nail file to avoid damaging your nails while filing them.
- Maintain a healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as leafy greens, nuts, and fish.
- Use a nail strengthener or hardener as a base coat to increase the durability of your nails.
- Keep your nails and cuticles moisturized, especially in the winter months.
- Use a cuticle oil daily to keep your nails moisturized and healthy.
- Nourish your nail beds by massaging them with a moisturizer or cuticle oil.
1. Say ‘yes’ to gloves.
Keep your gloves on, no matter how suffocating they feel, whenever your hands come into contact with chemicals. And these chemicals include dishwashers and detergents as well. That means you must have gloves on every time you clean dirty dishes and hand-wash your clothes. Working this way could feel a little awkward initially, but with practice, you sure will be able to have them on your hands for longer.
2. Is your body getting enough biotin?
Biotin triggers nail growth, so you should supplement your diet with biotin. If you need more biotin from natural edible sources, get it as a supplement. Biotin belongs to the vitamin B family, and a dosage of 2.5 mg per day is sufficient to make your nails healthy and strong. Hacks to Grow your Nails Long and Strong like this one, no doubt, work, but they should be opted for only after a consultation with a dietician or general medical practitioner.
3. Your nails are not your tools.
Have you been using your nails as a substitute for a knife or a pair of tweezers? If yes, that could be the reason why your nails have stopped growing healthy. The least you can do for your nails is to stop using them as a tool. Also, please don’t play with them. Nail biting and scratching them over hard surfaces will make them fragile and look ugly.
4. Don’t keep your nails wet for longer.
You simply can’t stay away from water! Even if you put on your gloves to keep away from direct contact with chemicals, you can’t use them to avoid contact with water; it will find a way to seep into your gloves. This is the reason you can’t keep your nails dry all day. So, the key is to wipe them dry every time they get wet. Don’t let your nails stay wet for longer. This will make them brittle and more vulnerable to breakage.
5. Upgrade your nail polish remover.
When you notice your manicure starting to chip, it’s tempting to grab any available bottle of nail polish remover. However, those with high levels of acetone, a powerful solvent known for its quick nail polish dissolving ability, can be incredibly harsh on delicate nails, drying them out almost immediately, which leads to peeling, flaking, and splitting.
A better alternative? Choose acetone-free removers. While these formulas are milder, they are still highly effective in leaving your nails immaculately clean, even after removing a dark-colored manicure. There’s a plethora of gentle yet potent formulas available in the market capable of swiftly erasing any traces of polish.
6. When you file your nails, file them right!
Filing your nails is an important part of your manicure regime, but doing it right is as important as doing it at all. If you file your nails in the wrong manner, you are going to cause them irreparable damage. After all, your nails are not planks of wood to be sawn back and forth. They are made of delicate layers which get damaged easily. Now, isn’t this one of those interesting hacks to grow your nails long and strong?
7. A healthy diet is the ultimate solution.
You will have to understand an important thing here: almost all of your nail problems arise due to some or another nutrient deficiency. And that is why it’s extremely important to maintain a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and healthy meat.
8. Use a nail strengthened.
Applying a nail hardener, strengthener, or base coat creates an additional protective layer on the nails, which can help prevent damage such as peeling, tearing, or breaking. This extra layer can also provide a good foundation for nail polish, making the nails look more polished and well-kept. Moreover, some of these products may contain nutrients or ingredients that promote healthier and stronger nails, contributing to better nail growth over time.
9. Moisturize nails and cuticles.
Moisturizing the nails and cuticles is vital in maintaining their health and promoting growth. Especially in colder months, the dry air can sap moisture from the nails, making them brittle and prone to breaking.
Using moisturizing products like cuticle creams or oils can help replenish the moisture, keeping your nails flexible and less likely to break. Burt’s Bees cuticle cream is recommended for this purpose, likely due to its natural moisturizing ingredients. Regular moisturizing can lead to longer, stronger, healthier nails.
10. Try a keratin supplement.
Keratin, a substance naturally present in nails, contributes to their flexibility. However, don’t be deterred by the term ‘flexible.’ It doesn’t imply that your nails will be thin, fragile, or overly bendable, but rather strengthened and significantly less prone to chipping.
Though it may seem straightforward, Quashie‘s prime advice is actually the simplest method to maintain your nails in the best possible condition. She emphasizes, ‘Avoid using your nails as tools – always handle them with care!’
11. Use a cuticle oil daily.
Sandi Crystal, manicurist and social media influencer emphasizes that the key to nurturing your nails to their best form lies in one word: hydration. She articulates, ‘For nails to be strong, they need to be healthy. Hydration is crucial.’ She advocates using cuticle oil as it effectively hydrates both the cuticle and the nail bed, marking it as an indispensable step in nail care, irrespective of whether you’re on a mission to grow your nails or want them to appear at their best.
When it comes to her personal preferences, she advises steering clear of expensive branded oils. Instead, she recommends opting for organic Dadi oil or straightforward jojoba oil, asserting that they perform equally well (if not superior) in nail care without burning a hole in your pocket.
Now that you know all the hacks to grow your nails long and strong, there is no reason why you should settle for those ugly, over-clipped nails. Grow your nails healthy and fast with these amazing tips.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
