Get Long Nails

Long, well-groomed nails are often considered feminine and beautiful. However, some people have a hard time growing long nails. If you want to get long nails, then there are several things you can do to protect and strengthen your nails. You can also try using some special products to make your nails grow long. If your nails are stubborn and just won't grow, then vitamins, garlic-infused polish and fake nails might help.

Steps

Protecting and Strengthening Your Nails

  1. File in one direction. Filing your nails in a back and forth motion can create tiny tears in the nail and this may lead to breakage. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you file your nails in one direction only.[1]
    • Apply gentle pressure to your nail with the file. Then, move the file in one direction. After you reach the end of the file, take the file away from your nail and return it to the starting point.
  2. Leave your cuticles alone. Cutting your cuticles can introduce bacteria into your nail beds. These bacteria can cause an infection in your nails.[1] This may irritate your nails and even lead to nail loss.
    • Instead of cutting your cuticles, try pushing them back with an orange tipped cuticle stick. Apply some cuticle oil to soften them first and then use the tip of the orange tipped cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles.
    • Soaking your cuticles in a little warm water will also help to soften them and keep them healthy.
  3. Use tools instead of your nails. Part of the reason why mails break is because people use them to do things that they are not suited for, such as opening cans of soda. To prevent breakage, avoid using your nails as tools. Use the right tool for the job instead.[1]
    • For example, if you are trying to open a package, don’t use your nails to peel off the tape. Get a pair of scissors and use them to cut open the package instead.
    • It is also a good idea to wear vinyl or latex gloves whenever you wash dishes, clean, or do other things that might expose your nails to water and chemicals.[2]
  4. Let your nails breathe. In some cases, the best way to rehab your nails is to let them breathe for a while. Try going without any nail polish or other products on your nails for a few weeks (or months, depending on how damaged your nails are).[2] This will give your nails a chance to repair themselves.
    • While you are letting your nails breathe, you can buff and file your nails to keep them looking neat and clean.
    • Try rubbing a drop of olive oil into each of your nails for a natural shine.
  5. Go for rounded edges instead of square tips. Rounded edges are less likely to break than square edges, so try to maintain a rounded edge while you are growing out your nails.[1]
    • To create rounded edges, file your nails with a curving motion, as if you are tracing a half-circle around the tip of your nail. Keep filing in this manner until you have rounded out the tips of your nails.

Using Special Products

  1. Wear a strengthening topcoat. Applying a clear topcoat can help to strengthen and protect your nails while you are growing them. Try applying a layer or two of topcoat to your nails a few times per week while you are growing them. [1]
    • Some topcoats are specifically meant to help strengthen and harden your nails. If your nails are brittle or bend easily, then try using some nail hardening topcoat.[3]
  2. Try growth gels. If your nails never seem to grow, then you might benefit from a nail growth gel. These gels protect and nourish your nails, which will encourage more nail growth.[3]
    • Make sure that you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the product you purchase.
  3. Apply lotion often. Keeping your hands and nails moisturized may also help to encourage growth. Try keeping a bottle of hand lotion with you at all times and apply it a few times throughout the day.[3]
    • For example, you could keep a bottle of hand lotion in your purse, on your desk, or next to your bed.
  4. Remove polish with a conditioning acetone-free polish remover.[3] The acetone in some nail polish removers is a harsh chemical that can weaken your nails. If you have noticed that your nails are weak and brittle, then try switching to an acetone-free nail polish remover for a while.
    • Check the label to see if the nail polish remover is acetone-free.

Trying Other Options

  1. Try biotin supplements. Biotin supplements may help you to grow your nails longer. The supplement may help to strengthen your nails and encourage growth.[2]
    • Try purchasing a bottle of biotin supplements or look for a multivitamin that contains biotin.
    • Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.
  2. Add garlic to your topcoat. Some people claim that adding a couple of cloves of minced garlic to a clear topcoat can help to stimulate nail growth. There is no proof that this works, but it might be worth a try.[2]
    • Mince a couple of cloves of garlic and mix them in with some clear topcoat. Then, apply the garlic infused nail polish to your nails.
  3. Wear nude nail polish. Nude nail polish will not actually make your nails grow longer, but it may make them look like they are longer. Choose a nude polish that is a close match to the color of your skin. Then, apply the polish to your nails.[3]
    • The nude polish may make your nails seem longer because of the color. Having skin-toned nails will cause your nails to blend in with your skin and your skin may be mistaken for part of your nails.
  4. Try press on nails or tips. Growing your nails long can take while, which can be frustrating if you want long nails now. You can get the look of long nails without the wait by applying some press on nails or nail tips. These products are available in most stores and they are easy to apply.
    • For a longer lasting long nail look, you may also consider getting acrylic nails done at a nail salon.

Tips

  • If one of your nails breaks or gets a snag, don’t rip it off. Always carry a nail file so that you can file it down.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://beautyeditor.ca/2015/05/13/how-to-get-longer-nails
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.thegloss.com/beauty/how-to-grow-longer-stronger-nails/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 http://www.xojane.com/beauty/nine-inch-nails-grow-your-nails-long-and-strong
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