Growing Strong Nails

How to get strong nails

Healthy Nails

Our nails are made of keratin, like hair. Keratin is a strong fibrous protein that’s made by cells beneath the cuticle at the nails base. As the nail grows out from the matrix, and as new cells build up and die, the nail is pushed forward and out of the surface. Fingernails grow about 1/10 of a milimeter daily or +/- 1 centimeter every 3 months. Nails grow quicker in summer than in winter and more so between the ages of 18 and 28. They also grow faster during pregnancy. The nails on your dominant hand grow faster than on the hand you use less often. An adult nail can take 8 to 9 months to grow, whereas a child’s nail can take 3 to 4 months. Fingernails grow about twice as fast as toenails.

The best nail hardeners are nourishing food: fresh fruits and vegetables and raw nuts and seeds. To nourish the nails from inside, eat more oats and include sea vegetables in your diet. Drink 3 cups of horsetail tea daily, which is rich in mineral silica. If your nails are very brittle, include 3 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds to your regimen.

All nail polishes are nothing more than refined versions of automobile paint. Nail polishes can dry and stain he nails as well as limit oxygen exposure to the nails. Remove any moisturizer that may be on your nails or the nail polish will not adhere to them. Polish in layers, allowing each layer to dry between coats. 3 coats are considered standard. Don’t dry nails with a blow-dryer or any other heat source or the polish will lift from the nails. Always treat the nail diligently after polishing.

All nail polish removers are hazardous to the health of nails and of all cosmetics available they are one of the most allergenic.  Acetone an ingredient in most nail polish removers is more harmful than acetate. Artificial nails can harbor high in bacteria. Using nail polish remover can contribute to ridges in the nails, and it can be especially damaging to the entire nail and cuticle.


Pascale Loveniers
Akwa Beauty & Wellness