Let’s be honest, a beautiful set of long, natural and healthy nails looks classy and sexy. Impeccably manicured long nails say a lot about your personal style and confidence. We know that having long, healthy nails can be a challenge. Our easy tips show how you too can have a beautiful set of long, natural nails.
First a quick biology lesson:
Your nails grow from the area under your cuticle called the matrix. The matrix is the living part of the nail. Your cuticle is the layer of skin that protects the matrix, so the cuticle is very important for nail health and growth. As new nail cells grow in the matrix, the older nail cells are pushed towards the fingertips and become hard and compact. Heredity and health determine how fast nails grow, but nails generally grow at around 0.1 millimeters per day, which means it takes four to six months for a nail to fully regrow. Healthy nails are smooth, with no ridges or grooves. They are uniform in color and consistency and have no spots or discoloration.
Did you know: nails grow faster in the summer than in winter, the nails on your dominant hand grow faster, and men’s nails grow faster than women’s, except when a woman is pregnant when the nail growth accelerates?
How long should my nails be?
Obviously this is largely a matter of personal choice, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
The optimal practical length for your nails depends on your activities and your lifestyle. In general, the tip of the nail should not extend beyond one third of the length of the nail.
Nails break less often when they are all the same length and are square, oval, or round in shape.
Tips for growing, long and healthy natural nails:
Long Nail Tip 1: Don’t use your nails as tools.
Instead of using your fingernails, use other parts of your hand or a pen to perform tasks like dialing the phone. Do not poke, poke, or scrape with your fingernails, and above all, avoid opening soda cans with your fingernails.
Long Nail Tip 2: Wear gloves.
Detergents are particularly harsh on the nails and can cause them to split and peel. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning. You should also wear gloves when gardening to protect your nails from infection and prevent dryness, damage, and loss of natural oils.
Long Nail Tip 3: Don’t bite your nails or pick at your cuticles.
Apart from the obvious reason of biting and shortening the nails, these habits can damage the nail bed. Even a small cut along the nail can allow bacteria or fungus to enter the nail bed and cause an infection. Remember that your nails grow slowly, so an injured nail will retain signs of damage for several months.
Long nails tip 4: Take care of your cuticles.
The cuticle is a barrier that keeps bacteria away from the nail matrix, where new cells are generated, so it should not be cut or trimmed. On the other hand, you want to prevent cuticles from overgrowing, which stifles nail growth. If your cuticle has grown over the nail plate, after softening them sufficiently in lukewarm water, use a cuticle pusher very carefully to push them back. In addition to pushing back the cuticles, this will help remove any dead skin and debris that may have accumulated. Hold the cuticle pusher at an angle and use small circular motions, so that it is as gentle and gentle as possible and does not damage the cuticle. When you’re done, don’t forget to moisturize your hands.
Tip for long nails 5: Take care of your nails.
Trim nails and clean under nails regularly. Use manicure scissors or nail clippers and a nail file to smooth the edges of the nails. Never rip out hangnails, as doing so almost always results in rupture of living tissue. Cut the hangnails, leaving a slight angle outward.
Long nail tip 6: Take care of brittle nails.
Trim brittle nails after a bath, or soak hands for 15 minutes in bath oil, then apply a moisturizer. Do not use nail polish remover more than twice a month. Instead, touch up the nail polish. When you need to use nail polish remover, avoid those that use acetone, which dries out nails. Also consider using a nail strengthener and growth formula.
Long nails tip 7: The role of diet.
Unless your diet is deficient in protein and vitamins, dietary changes that are supposed to strengthen nails won’t work. However, your nails can offer telltale signs of dietary issues like:
Lack of vitamin A and calcium causes dryness and brittleness.
Lack of protein, folic acid and vitamin C causes hanging nails
White bands on the nails caused by protein deficiency.
Lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid that causes splitting of the nails.
Insufficient supply of vitamin B12 that leads to excessive dryness, very rounded and curved tips and darkening of the nails.
Insufficient zinc causing the development of white spots on the nails.
Red skin around the cuticles can be caused by poor metabolism of essential fatty acids.
If you are concerned that your diet is not balanced and healthy, you should consult a medical or nutritional professional.
Tip for long nails 8: Moisturize your nails.
Nails need moisture just like your hands. Rub lotion on your nails when you moisten your hands. Be sure to apply moisturizer every time you wash your hands.
Long Nail Tip 9: Use colored nail polish.
Wear colored nail polish while growing your nails. If you prefer a softer look, try a sheer shade. Color nail polish helps you become more aware of your hands and how to use them in a way that keeps your nail polish looking good and therefore your nails protected. It also makes chips easier to spot so you can make immediate repairs.
Long, beautiful natural nails require commitment and special care to grow and maintain. Be patient, the average nail takes 3-6 months to grow.
Frequent questions:
My nails are weak. What can I do to strengthen them?
Unfortunately, if you have naturally weak nails, it’s probably hereditary and you can’t change them permanently. However, you can do things to strengthen them. Try a nail strengthener and growth formula. Many women are confused about how to use these products, so here are some tips:
Be sure to apply a thin layer. Since you’ll be applying it daily, you don’t want it to build up too much. If you are in the beginning stages of your nail growth, just use a strengthening and growth formula on the nail plate and apply every day. Once your nails start to stick out and you want to apply nail polish, use the build and grow formula as a base coat and top coat.
Why do I have grooves in my nails?
Ridges or ripples (known as Beau’s lines) in the nails occur when nail growth is uneven, usually due to disease or injury. Light polishing can minimize ridges. A Ridge Filler will also help to even out the nail plate, smoothing out shallow ridges and other blemishes.
What causes my nails to turn yellow and how can I get rid of the yellow stains?
Darker colored nail polish can cause a chemical reaction between the coloring agent in the nail polish and the nail plate. This can cause the nails to take on a yellowish color. While it is different for each person, this reaction can occur within days or weeks of using the nail color. To prevent nails from yellowing, always use a base coat before applying nail polish. This will not only prevent smearing, but will also extend the life of the nail polish. For already yellow nails, soak nails in a solution of 1/2 cup water and the juice of one lemon for up to 15 minutes, once a week.
Why are my nails so flaky around the cuticle beds? What causes this?
Unless you’re allergic to something you’re handling, dryness is likely the cause. It is important to correct this since, as mentioned, the cuticles are very important for the health of the nails. You should regularly moisturize your cuticles and hands.
My nails can grow but after a while they start to peel and stop growing. What can I do to stop this?
Many women want long, shapely nails, but the stress of daily life and work can make growing them a challenge. Your nails could potentially benefit from extra protection when they reach more vulnerable lengths. A nail strengthener and growth formula might help.
What causes thin nails and what can make them stronger?
When your general health is good and you are not handling harsh chemicals that can affect your nails, heredity is likely to lead to thin nails. Your nails could also potentially benefit from a nail strengthener and growth formula.