As long as I can remember, I've struggled with weak, brittle nails that could never seem to maintain a nice shape or grow past a certain point without breaking. I avoided gel nails because my short nails never looked right, so I turned to acrylics, which only worsened the health of my nails.
Fed up with the cycle, I decided to give my nails some TLC and ditch the acrylics. Lo and behold, with a little care and patience, my nails transformed from weak and brittle to strong, long, and resilient.
In this post, I'll share what worked for me to strengthen and grow my nails in a short period. But first let's learn more about nails, what causes them to be weak and ways to strengthen them naturally.
What You Need To Know About Nails
Nails serve as essential tools for everyday tasks, providing protection and dexterity to our fingertips and toes. Beyond their functional role, nails also offer insights into our overall health and well-being. Composed primarily of keratin, a sturdy protein found in hair and skin, nails boast a unique structure that grants them resilience and strength. Beneath the visible nail plate lies the nail bed, rich in blood vessels and nerves, which nourish and support nail growth.
- Keratin, the primary protein in nails, contributes to their durability and toughness.
- The nail bed, situated beneath the nail plate, provides vital nutrients and sensation to the growing nail.
- Blood vessels within the nail bed supply oxygen and nutrients essential for nail health.
- The cuticle acts as a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and safeguarding against infections.
Understanding the the anatomy and composition of nails underscores the importance of adopting proper care practices to maintain their health and vitality. Now, let's delve into some key factors influencing nail growth and strength.
Factors Affecting Nail Growth & Strength
Your nails' health can be influenced by various factors. For instance, your diet is crucial; if you're not getting enough essential nutrients, your nails may become weak and brittle. Additionally, how you care for your nails matters. Exposure to harsh chemicals or excessive water can lead to damage. Moreover, your overall health, including factors like stress or certain medical conditions, can also affect your nails' health.
Other factors that affect your nail's health:
- Not Taking Vitamin Supplements: Lack of essential vitamins like biotin or vitamin E, which are important for nail health, can contribute to weak and brittle nails.
- Nail Biting: Habitually biting your nails can weaken them, leading to breakage and slower growth.
- Dehydration: Lack of hydration can cause nails to become dry and brittle, making them more prone to splitting and breaking.
- Poor Nail Care Routine: Neglecting proper nail care, such as not moisturizing or protecting nails during tasks, can contribute to their weakness and damage.
- Medical Conditions: Certain health issues like thyroid disorders, psoriasis, or fungal infections can affect nail health, leading to changes in texture, color, or shape.
- External Factors: Exposure to harsh chemicals in cleaning products or frequent use of nail polish removers can strip nails of their natural oils, leaving them vulnerable to damage.
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause, can impact nail health, leading to changes in growth patterns or brittleness.
- Getting Acrylics: The application and removal process of acrylic nails can weaken the natural nail bed, leading to thinning and breakage over time.
How To Strengthen Nails Naturally
So, what are the most important things to do to strengthen and grow your nails fast and naturally?
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Ensure your diet includes nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to provide essential vitamins and minerals for nail health.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your nails hydrated and prevent them from becoming dry and brittle.
- Protect Your Nails: Wear gloves when washing dishes or using harsh chemicals to shield your nails from damage and maintain their strength.
- Handle With Care: Avoid using your nails as tools and refrain from biting or picking at them to prevent weakening and breakage.
- Regular Maintenance: Trim and file your nails properly to maintain their shape and prevent snags or breakage. Additionally, keep them moisturized with hand cream or the nail oil mentioned below to prevent dryness and brittleness.
- Keep Your Nails Moisturized: Regularly apply moisturizing oils that not only hydrate and moisturize your nails but also promote nail growth, improve their health, and make them thicker and stronger. Remember to let your nails grow naturally and avoid excessive digging underneath them to maintain their optimal condition.
Moisturizing Oils That Help With Nail Growth
Ensuring your nails receive the right nourishment is key to promoting growth and strength. Ingredients found in natural oils play a vital role in supporting nail health by providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. These ingredients work synergistically to improve the overall condition of your nails. Incorporating these natural oils into your nail care routine can help nurture your nails from the inside out, leading to stronger, healthier, and more resilient nails.
- Biotin: Also known as vitamin B7, biotin promotes nail growth and strength by supporting the production of keratin, the protein that makes up nails.
- Garlic Oil: Garlic oil contains allicin, a compound with antimicrobial properties that can help prevent nail infections, promoting overall nail health.
- Almond Oil: Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, almond oil moisturizes the nails and cuticles, preventing dryness and brittleness.
- Argan Oil: Packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, argan oil nourishes the nails and cuticles, promoting strength and flexibility.
- Wheat Germ Oil: High in vitamins and minerals, wheat germ oil helps repair and strengthen damaged nails while promoting healthy growth.
- Jojoba Oil: Similar to the skin's natural oils, jojoba oil moisturizes the nails and cuticles without leaving a greasy residue, promoting overall nail health.
- Lavender Oil: Lavender oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help prevent nail infections and promote a healthy nail bed.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil moisturizes and strengthens the nails, preventing breakage and supporting healthy growth.
- Lemon Oil: Lemon oil contains vitamin C, which helps strengthen the nails and prevent yellowing, promoting a brighter, healthier appearance.
- Castor Oil: Rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil promotes blood circulation to the nail bed, stimulating growth and strengthening the nails.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E oil moisturizes and nourishes the nails, protecting them from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors.
- Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil improves circulation to the nail bed, promoting healthy nail growth and strength.
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that moisturize and strengthen the nails, preventing breakage and promoting growth.
- Rosehip Oil: Rosehip oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants that hydrate the nails and cuticles, promoting overall nail health.
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties that can help treat and prevent nail infections, promoting healthier nails.
Introducing The Nail Growth Treatment That Saved My Nails
Say hello to the nail treatment that saved my nails- the Veenourish Nail Growth Oil! It is a total game-changer for nail health! It's kind of crazy how something so simple can make such a big difference. It is made with all of the ingredients we talked about above, this treatment is like a super boost for your nails, helping them grow stronger and healthier from the inside out.
Believe me, I know the struggle of dealing with weak, brittle nails firsthand. For the longest time, I couldn't get them to grow past a certain point, and they were always breaking and peeling. But ever since I started using this treatment, it's like my nails have been on steroids! They're longer, thicker, and so much stronger than they've ever been before.
So, if you're tired of dealing with flimsy nails that just won't cooperate, give this treatment a try. I promise you won't be disappointed!
For more skincare inspiration be sure to check out these posts as well: Hair Growth Tips, How To Get Rid Of Dark Armpits & How To Get Rid Of Butt Acne
