Nail Health – The Long And Short Of It By Colleen McCartney At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

It takes two weeks for your finger nail to grow 1/16 of an inch! Nail growth is accelerated in the summertime and you may have noticed the nails on your dominate hand (the one you write with) grow faster than those on your other hand. New growth begins from the cells under the cuticle.

The nail itself is virtually colorless but gets a rosey hue from the blood flowing just beneath it. This transparent tip of the finger is actually fragile in its health and can be best protected by treating it more gingerly than most of us currently do. For example, instead of hammering out a phone number on your keypad with your fingernail – use a pencil instead.

Also, wear rubber gloves as much as possible when cleaning or submersing your hands in water, as the constant soaking and drying of nails causes them to weaken. Also, chemicals used in cleaning products can cause nails to weaken, thus we end up with splitting, chipping, weak nails.

Many people load up on nail polishes and “strengtheners” thinking they are encouraging faster growth and nail health, however most nail cosmetics are fully of chemicals which actually do more harm than good. A good nail strengthener can be used to provide added protection, however its most healthy to just let your nails be natural at least 1-3 months so they can grow out on their own.

Using a glass nail file is one of the best ways to grow long, strong, healthy nails. Emery boards actually tear the nail as they file. A good glass or crystal file actually seals the nail as it more smoothly glides across the nail. There is minimal harshness when filing with a glass or crystal file. Be careful when cleaning under your nails too. Choose a crystal file or sealed wood orange stick and do not dig out the dirt deep under the file. Use a nail brush to clean dirt and when you have to remove additional dirt from the under the nail, do so with extreme care so as not to break the skin under the nail. Doing so will cause the nail to weaken and this is another reason why nails split or chip, especially on the sides.

Calcium, magnesium, B Vitamins and minerals promote healthy, natural nail growth.

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