Have you noticed your slow nail growth and wished it happened faster? I used to experience those feelings myself — especially after I’d remove my acrylics or chew on my nails because I was stressed. I thought it was probably genetic that I couldn’t grow super-long, tough nails.
Turns out, nail growth isn’t magic. A regular schedule, smart ideas and unpredictable things I’ve learned as time went by help keep things simple. In this post, I’ll explain the 10 things that worked for me on my nails and might help speed up your nail growth as well.
This article is for you if:
- You struggle with brittle or slow-growing nails
- You want a natural approach to nail care
- You’re recovering after acrylics, gels, or biting
This article will outline the 10 best ways to help your nails grow faster.
1. Add Biotin-Rich Foods to Your Diet
Having enough biotin is great for keeping your nails strong and healthy. After I started eating eggs, almonds and salmon, my nails remained stronger. I wasn’t sure how much food would matter, but it had a real effect on me.
Out in Mexico, I had the opportunity to eat avocado and eggs nearly daily during my trip. It only took a week for me to realize my nails had stopped peeling. That was when I understood how important nutrition really is.
2. Use a Nail Growth Serum or Oil Daily
Hydration is everything. Every night, I make sure to apply cuticle oil, since it’s something I never skip. Using the oils on your nails and cuticles keeps them moisturized, so peeling and flaking symptoms are reduced.
Try to find skincare that includes jojoba oil, vitamin E and castor oil. In my own experience, switching to a rollerball made application much simpler and I could do it far more regularly.
3. Avoid Water Exposure Without Gloves
I always used to do the dishes by hand, not thinking much about it. Spoiler: it was. Arts and crafts activities, especially when using water, make nails softer and easier to break.
I keep some pink washing gloves under the sink when I’m done. A minor step changed the way things turned out for us. My hands stay in shape, even while I’m doing lots of deep cleaning in the spring.
4. File Your Nails the Right Way
I never realized and probably didn’t know any better until a TikTok video showed me the correct way to file my nails. I found out that using a glass file and filing in one direction makes all the difference. I started making one-way strokes instead of going back and forth and saw a reduction in splitting almost straight away.
Also — I stopped cutting my cuticles completely. Some light pressure on your body once you have showered and applied a low amount of oil can work wonders.
5. Stay Away from Acrylics and Gels for a While
Though they make nails look great, the damage from gels and acrylics was too much for my nails. After years of regular use, they became paper-thin. I gave up polishing for 3 months — and I’m very glad I did.
Right after I and my best friend took out our extensions, she encouraged me to go natural. Whenever we sent each other our current nail look for our weekly nail selfies. It seems taking a break from nail polish was just what our nails wanted.
6. Take a Nail-Friendly Supplement
Everyday, I now add a biotin, keratin and zinc supplement to my routine. My nails got tougher and grew more steadily by the end of week four, something I hadn’t anticipated when beginning.
It’s important to ask your doctor before starting any supplement, including this one, if you already use others, though this addition has made a huge difference to me.
7. Massage Your Nails and Cuticles
One thing I never used to do? Massage my nails. Immediately after the face cream, I spend a little time massaging the skin under each fingernail. It improves circulation and helps oils absorb better.
It’s also surprisingly relaxing. Toward the end of a busy day, having a shower feels like I’m giving myself a small gift.
8. Stay Hydrated — Seriously!
I underestimated water. But dry nails break, split, and don’t grow well. Drinking cave water helped my nails become less brittle and more shiny.
Now I have a water bottle close to my desk and fill it up twice each day. Simple, but effective.
9. Follow a Weekly Nail Care Routine
I started including nail care in my Sunday night routine, just like skincare. I saturate, file, buff, put on a face mask and end by polishing and oiling my nails. Setting aside time weekly helps me stay consistent.
Here’s what my routine looks like:
| Step | Product | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nail soak | Weekly | 10 mins |
| 2 | Glass file | Weekly | 5 mins |
| 3 | Cuticle oil | Daily | 2 mins |
| 4 | Nail strengthener | 2x/week | 1 coat |
| 5 | Massage | Nightly | 2 mins |
10. Be Patient and Consistent
This one’s the hardest. Growing nails takes time — sometimes months. I made it a habit to take pictures of my hands after every month. Comparing my results really kept me going and showed me why I should continue.
Consistency beats perfection. If I miss some days, I still continue and that’s the point.
Final Thoughts
If you would like to know how to grow nails faster, the answer is to form routine good habits. Being patient and loving with him as you teach will help you reach that point in the future — I’m confident you can get there.
Here are my top 3 takeaways:
- Hydrate your body and nails daily.
- Stay consistent with weekly nail care routines.
- Take breaks from acrylics and embrace your natural nails.
What about you? Let me know if some of these tips helped you. What actually boosts your nail growth? I’d enjoy hearing what you do when you try to speed up your nail growth!
