We often resort to remedies to make our nails grow because they grow very slowly. Nails are an appendage of the skin, with a hard structure, formed mainly of hardened, dead cells containing a fibrous protein called keratin. This protein is produced naturally by our bodies.
Our nails are a reflection of ourselves, showing our hygiene habits, diet, and overall health. Their main function is to protect our fingers from bumps, disease, and damage. They are frequently exposed to external aggressions.
Nail structure
The nail is characterized by a smooth, shiny surface, divided into several parts, each with a specific function. Below, we describe the different parts that make up the nail.
- Nail plate: is the visible part of what is commonly known as the nail.
- Nail bed: is the skin that is under the nail or nail plate.
- Matrix: This is the part located beneath the cuticle. This is where the nail grows from.
- Lunula: is the section that looks like a white half-moon at the base of the nail.
- Cuticle: is the tissue that covers the nail plate and surrounds the base of the nail.
Most common nail diseases
The health of your nails can be an indicator of your overall health. Healthy nails are usually smooth and have a uniform pink or clear color. Changes in color and growth can indicate various heart, kidney, and liver diseases, as well as diabetes and anemia. The most common nail problems that require treatment are:
- Bacterial and fungal infections.
- Ingrown toenails.
- Warts.
How does the nail grow?
The nail grows lengthwise. Its natural growth rate varies depending on our fingers, age, the season, hereditary factors, and the type of daily activity we perform. Fingernails, for example, grow four times faster than toenails.
Home remedies to make them grow
They break, split, and can even become so brittle that it’s almost impossible to keep them long. If any of this happens to you, don’t hesitate to try one of the home remedies we suggest to achieve perfect nails.
1. Garlic
is one of the best-known natural remedies for growing nails quickly and naturally.
What should you do?
- Crush 2 cloves of garlic and place the paste on your nails.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and repeat daily.
2. Garlic and lemon
With the mixture of garlic and lemon, you get a very good home remedy to grow nails, strengthen them, and make them look beautiful.
What should you do?
- Crush 1 clove of garlic, mix with 125 ml of water, and bring to a boil.
- Then let it cool and add the juice of one lemon.
- Mix everything and pour it into a jar with a brush.
- Apply the mixture every night before going to sleep.
3. Milk and lemon juice
The combination of milk and lemon, in addition to making nails grow, is a good remedy for hardening and whitening them.
What should you do?
- In a bowl, mix 125 ml of milk with the lemon juice.
- Soak your nails in the mixture for 15 minutes.
- Repeat the treatment three times a week.
4. Apple cider vinegar.
It is a product with antifungal and antimicrobial properties, ideal for the treatment of infections caused by fungi.
What should you do?
- In a container, mix 200 ml of water and 100 ml of vinegar.
- Soak your nails in the mixture for about 10 or 15 minutes.
- Repeat the treatment twice a week.
5. Homemade Hardener
To keep nails beautiful and healthy, we can make a very simple homemade hardener.
Ingredients
- Vitamin E capsules.
- A nail gloss or clear polish.
The juice of 3 cloves of garlic.
- ½ tablespoon of lemon juice (5 ml).
What should you do?
- Add the liquid from the vitamin E capsule to the clear nail polish.
- Peel the garlic cloves, then soak them for a few seconds in hot water.
- Crush the garlic cloves and pour the juice into the clear nail polish container.
- Next, add the lemon juice.
- Close the nail polish and shake it until it changes color.
- Apply this mixture twice a week.
6. Coconut Oil.
Coconut oil is moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and protective. It has antifungal properties, making it especially good for nail care.
What should you do?
- Squeeze 1/2 a lemon and combine it with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Stir until combined
- Apply the mixture to your nails.
- Cover your hands with gloves to concentrate on the treatment for 20 minutes.
- After this time, remove the gloves and wash with cold water.
- Finish with moisturizing cream on hands and nails.
Note
To grow your nails, improve their appearance, and integrate them with the good appearance of your hair and skin, remember that you must maintain a balanced diet, rich in natural foods from each of the food groups.
A diet consisting of lean meats and dairy products, fruits, and vegetables benefits the body and skin in general. Eggs, legumes, fish, and citrus fruits complete a diet that promotes keratin production.
Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, among others, should be included in your diet. These are sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C, essential for collagen production. All of this, combined with their high sulfur content, will help prevent nails from weakening.