10 Tips for Growing Healthy, Strong Nails

While some people have naturally strong, long thick nails, others do not due to genetics. If you are lucky enough to have fast-growing, perfectly shaped nails and even cuticles, then only trauma and lack of care will change the health of your nails.

Others are not so lucky as their nails are naturally brittle with soft cuticles. But with proper nail care habits, you can learn how to grow your nails healthy and strong.

I have seen a lot of nail care products that claim to improve the nails but no evidence has shown that they actually work. For this reason, I will give you tips on how to have stronger and healthier nails without spending a lot on nail cosmetics. Here are 10 proven tips to help you achieve healthy, strong nails that you’ll be proud to show off.

What Does A Strong And Healthy Nail Look Like?

A strong and healthy nail looks shiny, smooth, uniform and consistent on both the nail bed and the free margins. A healthy nail is not rigid, broken or cracked. The colour of the nail bed is usually pale pink while the free margins are white. If the nail bed looks pale or whitish, it is a sign of a health condition that suggests anaemia. The look and feel of a nail can tell a lot about our health.

10 Tips To Grow Your Nails Healthy And Strong

1. Maintain A Balanced Diet

Your nails need the right nutrients to grow strong and healthy. A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins is essential. Make sure you’re getting enough biotin (vitamin B7), which is known to strengthen nails, as well as other important nutrients like iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Tip: Incorporate foods like eggs, nuts, leafy greens, fish, and seeds into your diet for optimal nail health.

2. Less Cuticle Manipulation

Without question, the most important part of your nails is your cuticles. It is better left uncut and if you have to, push it back for as little as you can. The less you manipulate your cuticles, the better your nails will be. Removal and rigorous manipulation of the cuticles will lead to cuticle trauma which renders the nails weak, brittle, dented and may lead to several nail infections.

Tip: You can try this for yourself, for the next six months, stop manipulating your cuticles and simply take care of your nail shape and see the outcome.

3. Moisturize Your Cuticles And Nails

Just like your skin, your nails need moisture to stay healthy. Dry nails are more prone to breakage and splitting. Regularly applying a good-quality hand cream or cuticle oil can help keep your nails and cuticles hydrated. Look for products containing ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, or shea butter for maximum hydration.

To moisturize your cuticles, no special moisturizer is needed. You can use moisturizers specifically for hands because they are thicker with occlusives and emollients than your regular body moisturizers. Also, it is a plus if your moisturizer contains SPF 15 or greater. This helps keep your cuticles from sun damage and dryness.

Tip: The best time to moisturize your nails is at night when you are done for the day and about to sleep. It is essential at this time to stop frequent contact with water, detergent, nail polish or remover.

4. Gentle Filing Of Nails

Proper filing technique is crucial to prevent nail splitting and breakage. Always file your nails in one direction using a fine-grit nail file. Avoid using a sawing motion, as this can cause the nails to weaken and split.

File your nails gently especially when dry. Once you begin a nail filing that starts tearing or lifting the nail plate, there is no going back. It is important to avoid nail files that are made of metal or extremely coarse nail files and file in one direction.

Tip: File your nails after a shower when they’re softer and less likely to split.

5. Take Regular Breaks From Nail Polish

While it’s fun to have beautifully polished nails, giving your nails a break from polish can help them breathe and stay healthy. Wearing nail polish continuously can cause your nails to become dry and discolored. Let your nails go polish-free for a few days each month to restore their natural strength and color.

If you want to apply nail polish, use a basecoat first. A basecoat prevents the nail polish from peeling off easily, it also protects your nail plates from discolouration. Just think of basecoats as a primer, it gives the nail something to hold on to. The next step is nail polish. The nail or gel polish is usually pigmented with several colours and should be applied once or twice on the nail. The last layer is the topcoat, which adds shine and resistance to the nail.

Tip: Apply a nourishing nail treatment or oil during your polish-free days to boost nail health and during polish days, apply in layers

6. Use Nail Hardner Wisely

Nail hardeners can be beneficial for those with weak, brittle nails, but they should be used sparingly. Overuse of nail hardeners can actually make your nails more prone to breakage. Choose a nail hardener that contains nourishing ingredients and use it as directed. Alternatively, allow your nails to air-dry without using any other heat source

For gel polish, you would need the UV gel lamp to dry your nails which takes about 1-3 mins to dry the nails. The gel polish is usually more resistant to day-to-day activities and is durable. However, care must be taken when using the UV lamp to avoid excessive dryness that leads to brittle and weak nails.

Tip: Opt for a hardener that includes strengthening and moisturizing components like keratin and calcium.

7. Protect Your Nails From Harsh Chemicals

Exposure to harsh chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products, can weaken your nails over time. Always wear gloves when doing household chores to protect your nails from damage. Additionally, be mindful of the ingredients in your nail polish and remover.

So many nail polish removers contain solvents such as acetone, alcohol, ethyl acetate or butyl acetate, lanolin and so much more. The most drying of all the ingredients is acetone. This could lead to fragility and brittleness of the nail plate. Opt for acetone-free removers and polishes that are free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene

Tip: Choose nail care products labelled as “3-free” or “5-free” to avoid toxic ingredients.

8. Consider Biotin Supplements

If you find that your nails are still weak and brittle despite following these tips, you might want to consider taking a biotin supplement. Biotin, a B vitamin, has been shown to improve nail strength and growth. However, consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Biotin is the first vitamin that comes to mind. It is a water-soluble vitamin B complex, also known as hair or nail vitamin. It works by increasing keratin synthesis resulting in the growth rate of the nail plate and improvement of brittle nails.

One study showed that 45 patients with brittle nails were treated with oral biotin of 2.5mg daily to determine nail hardness and 91% showed improvement in firmness and hardness of the nail. Other vitamins include Vitamin E, Pyridoxine and ascorbic acid, Iron and Zinc, Silicium and Cystine.

Tip: Look for a high-quality biotin supplement that provides around 2.5 mg per day, the amount shown to benefit nail health.

9. Don’t Overuse Your Nails

Your nails are not tools, so avoid using them to open cans, peel off labels, or perform other tasks that can cause them to chip, crack, or break. Treat your nails gently to prevent unnecessary stress and damage.

Protect your nails and cuticles when doing housework such as gardening, doing dishes, and washing by wearing protective gloves.

Tip: Use the pads of your fingers or wear protective gloves rather than your nails when doing tasks that could potentially harm them.

10. Keep Your Nails Clean and Trimmed

Regular nail maintenance is key to preventing infections and promoting healthy growth. Keep your nails clean and trimmed to prevent dirt and bacteria from accumulating under them. Trim your nails straight across and round the tips slightly to prevent ingrown nails.

Also, keep all nail tools and equipment clean to avoid bacteria and other microbes getting into your nail bed which could lead to infection. Change your nail files often and disinfect any cuts to the cuticle.

Tip: Clean under your nails gently with a soft brush to avoid damaging the nail bed.

Conclusion

Achieving healthy, strong nails is a combination of proper care, a balanced diet, and mindful habits. By incorporating these 10 proven tips into your routine, you’ll be well on your way to having nails that are not only strong and resilient but also beautifully polished and cared for.

Whether you’re starting fresh with a nail care routine or enhancing your current one, these steps will help you grow the nails you’ve always wanted. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to share it with your friends and family and leave a comment below with your favorite nail care tips!