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The best tricks and products to make your nails long and durable
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Who doesn’t want long, strong, and glamorous nails? They’re eye-catching and fun to decorate, but they might seem unattainable. Long, strong nails don’t have to be a wild dream, though—they can be yours with the right care! By breaking bad habits and taking the proper manicuring steps, you can grow strong and healthy nails in no time. We interviewed professional nail artists and put together a list of tips on how you can get the best nails possible. Take a look below!
Things You Should Know
- Keep your nails out of water whenever possible and avoid using harsh chemicals on them to prevent damage and breakage.
- Stay on top of your nail health by applying a cuticle oil regularly and never skipping a base and top coat during a manicure.
- Take a break from gel and acrylic nails to help restore and preserve your natural nail.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat makes my fingernails weak?Dr. Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant based in Delhi, India. She has over 14 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. Dr. Ritu also works as a business consultant in the life sciences domain. She has successfully executed 150+ small to large-scale custom consulting projects for both established and development-stage companies. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.Using gel or acrylic nail polish can make your nails feel more brittle. You can also weaken them by keeping them submerged in water or exposed to dish soap.
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QuestionCan a healthy diet and supplements help with dry and brittle nails?Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.Yes, taking biotin orally can be helpful. Taking an oral silicone supplement can also help strengthen your nails. Make sure you're eating enough protein as well. Nails are made out of a molecule called keratin, which is a protein, so it's important that you're getting enough protein in your diet.
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Tips
- Apply petroleum jelly to damp nails and cuticles to hydrate your nails and prevent chipping. [18] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to sourceThanks
- Carry pre-moistened nail polish remover packets in your purse for quick removal when your nails start to chip. This way, you won’t have to worry about picking at your nails.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- I get acrylic nails and request them to be just a little longer than the end of my finger. When they get too long, I just file some off and then smooth down the edges. If I ever feel the need to bite them, I just scratch my check instead, because acrylics feel really good.
- I have a bad habit of biting my nails and picking off nail polish. My tip to you is to get a non-harmful liquid to soak your nails in—just make sure it isn't bad for your nails! Also, this liquid needs to taste nasty, so you won't put your nails in your mouth.
- When I struggled with nail-biting, I had one nail I was allowed to bite (right-hand thumbnail) while the rest grew out. It took a couple of weeks before I felt okay enough to stop biting that one, too, but it really worked!
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Warnings
- Talk to your doctor before adding a supplement to your routine, as they can provide a personalized dosage and advice.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about nail art, check out our in-depth interview with Marta Nagorska .
References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/vitamins-and-minerals.htm
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/folic-acid/
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/
- ↑ https://www.self.com/story/tips-for-healthy-nails-and-cuticles
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
- ↑ https://orane.com/always-use-base-coat-using-nail-paint/
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-h-biotin
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23204-keratin
- ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7945894/what-is-keratin/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/reduce-artificial-nail-damage
- ↑ https://www.uclahealth.org/news/how-biting-your-nails-is-affecting-your-health
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/stop-biting-nails
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/healthy-nail-tips
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/petroleum-jelly
About This Article
Article Summary
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To grow long, strong nails, try eating foods that have lots of folic acid, like fish, red meat, and cheese, since folic acid is the best vitamin for nail growth. Additionally, make sure to include biotin-rich foods in your diet, like whole grains, bananas, and avocados, because biotin also promotes strong, healthy nails. Then, clean and file your nails in a basic, round shape, and apply a strengthening cream or polish. You should also avoid using your nails to open, peel, or scrape things, which can easily damage or break your nails. For tips on how to use nail polish to help your nails grow long and strong, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I recently got acrylics for a huge event I was hosting. I decided to keep them for a month, then a few days ago, I decided that they were really bad for my nails. I picked one off the other day. Today, I broke another. I need to get these nails grown back in ten days and so far, the recommendations are working. Thank you!" ..." more
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"I recently got acrylics for a huge event I was hosting. I decided to keep them for a month, then a few days ago, I decided that they were really bad for my nails. I picked one off the other day. Today, I broke another. I need to get these nails grown back in ten days and so far, the recommendations are working. Thank you!"
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"I liked how you added that the extra virgin olive oil really helped. I appreciate that, because it is easy for people who cant afford pricey gels and serums. I also liked that you added pros and cons of different products throughout the information. Thanks."
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"I bite my nails all the time, and when I read this I stopped. It's really hard to let go of a bad habit, but it was for my nails. I found all of these nail treatments around my house, so it's a win/win for both me and my nails."
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"Since I have strong and healthy nails and I try to do everything I possibly can to help them grow, a lot of these steps weren't so new to me. But the ones that were new to me actually helped me an awful lot. Thank you!"
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"Now I know that I can't bite the skin around my nail. I'm definitely going to try all of the tips for growing my nails. I really want long nails, but I just can't stop biting them. Thank you so much for the tips!"
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