How to Make Nails Grow Faster

Co-authored by Mia Rubie

You might dream of a beautiful set of healthy, natural fingernails, but you may not be sure how to get your nails to grow fast enough to fulfill your every wish. While you can’t make your nails grow inhumanly fast, there are things you can do to boost nail health and make them grow as fast as possible!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Strengthening Nails through Lifestyle

1
Strengthen your nails with a biotin supplement. Take a daily biotin supplement, which you can find at larger retailers, pharmacies, and health food stores. Regular use of biotin can strengthen your nails and make them less likely to split or break.^{[1]
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- There is no current safe daily limit for how much biotin you can take. You should still avoid taking large doses unless you’re under the supervision of a doctor.
- You can also take a collagen supplement to help strengthen your nails.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mia Rubie
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
2
Eat foods high in vitamin B7. Biotin is another name for vitamin B7. Incorporate foods into your diet that are high in this vitamin, which may boost the effect of your biotin supplements and make your nails stronger. Include any of the following choices:^{[3]
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- Barley
- Corn
- Egg yolks
- Milk
- Soy
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Cheese
- Fish, chicken, or pork
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3
Limit exposure to water. Expose your nails to water only when absolutely necessary, such as when you are showering or washing your hands. Wear gloves when you’re washing dishes, doing chores, or exposing your hands to other liquids. Limiting your nails’ exposure to water can keep them moisturized and minimize the risk that they break.^{[4]
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4
Avoid harsh detergents and chemicals. Limit how much you expose your nails to household cleaners and detergents. Harsh cleansers and chemicals can dry out your nails and protect your hands from strong detergents and other chemicals as you go about your day.^{[5]
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Research source} Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to get rid of old polish.^{[6]
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Research source} Acetone can irritate your skin and can destroy your nails. Furthermore, acetone is highly flammable and toxic.
- Wear rubber gloves when you’re washing the dishes or cleaning.
5
Move to a warmer climate. People who live in areas with mild winters and hot summers have fast-growing nails. Take more vacations in warmer locales such as Florida, the Caribbean, Greece, or Bali if you’re not ready to give up your life in the northern hemisphere for the sake of nail growth.^{[7]
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- Protect your hands when it's cold outside to keep your nails from getting brittle and give them the chance to grow long.
- Get plenty of sun, even in the winter, since the sun helps your body create the vitamin D your nails need to grow faster.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Performing Regular Nail Maintenance

1
Shape your nails with a nail file regularly. Use a fine-grit file and file each of your nails in one direction once per week.^{[8]
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Research source} You should also file your nails anytime they break peel or chip. Shape them into an oval, which helps them stay strong.^{[9]
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- Avoid shaping your nails into points, which makes them more likely to break.
2
Moisturize your nails daily. Rub a heavier, oil-based moisturizer onto your nails and cuticles every day. Moisturizing regularly can keep your nails from cracking, peeling, and becoming brittle, which may cause nails to break and appear like they’re not growing.^{[10]
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- Try a rich moisturizer specifically formulated for hands, nails, and cuticles. You can also get a cuticle oil to moisturize your cuticles and the nail bed.^{[11]
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- Keep your nails healthy by using cuticle oil to moisturize your cuticles.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mia Rubie
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
3
Stop biting your nails. Resist the temptation to nibble on your fingernails, even if they are brittle. Leaving your nails alone gives them a chance to grow and can make them appear to get longer faster. Some ways to stop biting your nails include:^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Clipping broken nails with nail scissors instead of biting them off.
- Applying a bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails.
- Replacing nail-biting with a good habit such as playing with a stress ball.
- Avoiding things that trigger you to bite your nails such as boredom or stress.
4
Swipe on a clear polish. Get a simple clear or even colored nail polish. Paint one layer on your nails and reapply as necessary. Putting on a layer of nail polish can provide a protective shield for your nails that strengthens them and prevents breaks.^{[14]
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- If you wear gel polish, make sure to remove it by soaking your nails in acetone. Don't pick at your nails, as you can damage the surface of your nails.^{[15]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mia Rubie
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I get my nails to grow faster and stronger?

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.

Mia Rubie

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you can, get a biweekly manicure done by a professional, or give yourself a manicure at home if you can't. Also, it's really important to moisturize and take care of the overall health of your nails by using cuticle oil. As far as growth, people have found really great results from taking supplements like biotin and collagen.

Warnings

Recognize that diet, painting garlic on your nails, and selenium supplements won’t help your nails grow faster.^{[17]
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