If you aim to develop long, strong nails to showcase beautiful nail art designs, there are ways to help speed their development faster. Remember that nail growth differs for each individual and cannot be forced.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Nails need the same healthy diet as our bodies to stay strong and long. This includes avoiding foods high in sugar and saturated fat and instead opting for protein-rich options like eggs, poultry, fish, nuts, and leafy greens.

If you suffer from a health condition that compromises nail health, such as psoriasis or onychomycosis (nail fungus), treating its source can also help accelerate their growth. Consult a dermatologist or nail expert if any health concerns impacting your nails must be addressed to ensure proper treatments can be found and implemented quickly.

One effective strategy to promote fast-growing nails is exfoliation with Deborah Lippmann’s Smooth Operator 4-Way Nail Buffer in gentle circular movements to buff away dryness and keep nails bright and beautiful. In addition, massaging them regularly (much like you would massage the skin on your face) also can help.

Stay Hydrated

Healthy, fast nail growth begins by keeping both nails and cuticles moisturized. Nail polish removers, harsh soaps, low humidity levels, and nail polish removers all contribute to dry, brittle nails, so use an organic dadi or jojoba oil daily and rub it into nails and cuticles so it soaks in. Alternatively, you could try Cote’s Growth with Garlic Base Coat, which promotes growth as an additional strategy.

Eat plenty of foods high in protein to strengthen and promote nail growth. Salmon is an excellent option as it contains many necessary vitamins and minerals for nail health, including biotin, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, copper, and B6. You should also use nail polishes without drying ingredients such as formaldehyde camphor toluene, as these may contribute to weak or brittle nails.

Take Biotin Supplements

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin commonly found in hair, skin, and nail vitamins and supplements. It helps with the metabolism of protein-building amino acids to strengthen brittle nails by aiding their formation. Many find regular supplementation of 30 micrograms of biotin per day improves nails’ strength and thickness. It’s also an ingredient of many of these formulas.

Even though most people consume sufficient biotin through organ meats (liver), eggs, salmon, nuts, and seeds in their diet, many still may suffer from deficiency. A certain number of people are particularly prone to biotin deficiency due to factors like age, medical conditions, genetics, or pregnancy status—contributing factors can include age, medical conditions, or pregnancy status.

Some claim that applying halved raw garlic directly to their nails or mixing minced garlic with nail polish leads to longer, stronger, and faster-growing nails. But while garlic contains selenium—an element linked with nail growth—there’s no scientific evidence supporting such claims. Instead, eating a well-balanced diet and taking good care of your nails will eventually produce healthier nails.

Keep Nails and Cuticles Moisturized

Cuticles are small protective skins that envelop each nail bed, guarding against bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants while contributing to their unique rosy color. To promote growth and maintain that aesthetic quality, cuticles must remain healthy to encourage nail growth and preserve that look.

Maintaining proper moisture levels around the nails and cuticle area is vital to their strength, as dry skin can irritate and weaken them over time. We advise using cuticle balm to soften the skin around your nails and protect them from becoming brittle or damaged.

Cuticle oils can be expensive, so why not try coconut oil at home instead? Packed full of emollients and vitamins to nourish nails and cuticles, massage a small amount into nail beds and cuticles. Focus on massaging into the base area before leaving it to sit for several minutes to absorb before continuing with daily tasks.

Your nail growth rate may be determined by genetics, but proper nail care can enhance its health and strength, no matter its length. A balanced diet, adequate hydration, and regular manicures all play an integral part in creating healthier and more beautiful nails.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Overexposure to Water

Nails grow at their rate, so there’s no guarantee they will grow faster. However, lifestyle habits can greatly enhance their health, strength, and appearance.

Regularly washing, drying, and oiling nails is key to good nail care. Avoiding harsh chemicals is also key; cleaning products often contain harsh ingredients that can damage nails and cuticles. Wear gloves whenever possible when handling cleaning products that could harm them; otherwise, use them under a fume hood or in an adequately ventilated space.

Diets rich in biotin can help strengthen and promote nail growth. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that can be consumed through diet or supplementation administered under medical supervision. Good sources include lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, and whole grains as protein sources are rich sources of this nutrient; fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C, like citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and kiwis, can also provide this nutrient.

Use Nail Strengtheners and Growth Treatments

No magic formula exists for making nails grow faster, but you can enhance their health and appearance through easy home remedies and lifestyle suggestions. Such steps include eating calcium-rich foods, protecting them against damage with nail strengtheners, and applying cuticle oil regularly – all things that could help them reach full length and strength faster.

Nail hardeners can help those looking to strengthen and smooth out their nails by coating the nail surface with ingredients designed to strengthen its natural texture and growth. You can apply nail hardeners over natural nails or use them as a base coat before applying polish.

Olive & June’s Nail Strengthener is an effective treatment option. Intended as a base coat for polish, its formula includes beneficial ingredients like celery seed, and flora extract to promote healthy nails. Use an acetone-free remover to safely dispose of it when no longer required.

Avoid Nail Biting and Picking

Biting and picking nails are damaging habits that can be hard to break. Various strategies are available that can help break this cycle of nail care abuse.

Try replacing this behavior with something healthier, such as playing with a stress ball, going for a walk, or solving crossword puzzles. Online support groups dedicated to nail biting offer encouragement and advice; bitter-tasting nail polish can also help curb this habit.

Nail-biting or picking behaviors are often associated with anxiety or stress, so for extra assistance in breaking this habit, it might be worthwhile visiting a therapist. They will teach skills to manage anxiety as well as address what’s behind the behaviors.

Some may claim that applying half-cut garlic slices directly to their nails makes them grow longer and stronger faster, yet there’s no scientific support for this claim. Instead, garlic contains selenium, which may weaken and shorten nails while leaving hands with an unpleasant odor—so it is wiser to forgo this practice altogether.

Protect Your Nails from Damage

Nail growth rates are determined largely by genetics; therefore, no special treatments or products will necessarily accelerate this process. But you can improve and strengthen your nails through some lifestyle tweaks and habits.

Rather than suffering with short, brittle nails, try protecting them by wearing gloves when cleaning or using harsh chemicals. Furthermore, wearing socks when sleeping and moisturizing cuticles with lotion or cuticle oil could help.

Sanitizers with alcohol should be avoided to prevent your nails from becoming dry and brittle, making them even harder to grow. If hand sanitizer is unavoidable, wipes might be better as they won’t soak into the nailbed as deeply. Also, consider soaking press-on nails twice daily in an apple cider vinegar bath to strengthen and promote nail growth; garlic oil massaged over your nails daily is another natural way of helping.