Growing your fingernails

Dear Readers,

Kingston student, Tasmin, 22, has been attempting to grow her fingernails. She asks: Why won't my nails grow?

Nails grow at different rates due to age, nutrition, and health factors. Under the best conditions, nails grow 1/8th inch each month. It takes about 3-6 months for a fingernail to grow from cuticle to tip, and up to 6-12 months for a toenail to cover cuticle to tip. Nails grow faster on the dominant hand and are somewhat permeable, which means liquids can penetrate them!

We use our nails all the time but it's when they are in water that they get they get damaged most. With repetitive soaking in water, contact with soaps, dish-washing detergents, household cleaners, etc., the nail keratin, which gives the nail its hardness, becomes softened and no longer acts as an adhesive, so the nail becomes soft also. A good nail moisturizer and Vitamin E oil rubbed into the nails as often as possible (several times a day), and used especially after coming into contact with water and abrasive products, helps to reseal the surface of the nails and the nail cuticles, prevent dehydration of the skin, and lessen the chances of dry, cracking nails and dry nail beds.

Doing ordinary things, like picking things up, or drumming the fingers on a hard surface, or even repetitive scratching, can cause trauma to the nails. Picking the nails also weakens them and, of course, nail biting is disastrous to keeping healthy nails because the nails are not only shortened by biting them off, but saliva contains enzymes which can soften the nail keratin.

Nails should be cut only after they have been slightly softened after a bath (or by the manicurist) to prevent further cracking. It is also good to keep an emery board handy so that any potential cracks can be smoothed out, preventing further nail damage.

People with fragile nails should keep them fairly short as this reduces the tendency for them to crack and split. Also, be very careful when pushing back cuticles as they protect the nail and can leave the nail base open to infection.

Reduce the amount of nail polish remover used as this substance dries out the nails and increases the tendency for them to crack. Keeping the nails square at the ends helps to provide strength and reduces the chances of ingrown nails. Treat nails gently and moisturise them frequently. Wear gloves when using soap and water and chemicals for any prolonged period and when using chemicals. Nails can be coated with nail hardener, but top up rather than clean off with acetone, which dries out the nails.