How to Get Long Nails

Moisturize your hands.

Your hands play an important role in your nail health. Grab your lotion of choice and rub it all over your hands. Then, massage the lotion into your nails and cuticles. This helps keep your fingernails in great shape.

Dry off your hands after you wash them.

Damp nails are prone to splitting. To better protect your nails, dry off your hands completely after you’ve washed them. Also, slip on a pair of cotton-lined rubber gloves if you have to wash dishes by hand or clean with strong chemicals.

Refrain from biting your nails.

Nail-biting is bad for your nails, and may hinder healthy nail growth. If you bite your nails frequently, spread a clear, bitter-tasting polish to your nails to discourage the habit. If you feel an urge to bite your nails, reach for something to keep your hands busy, like a chunk of silly putty or a stress ball. You could also stick tape or stickers on your nails as a deterrent.

Use an acetone-free polish remover.

Acetone can really dry out your nails. This may lead to your nails splitting and peeling instead of growing healthy and long. Don’t worry! If you need to get rid of some old polish, grab a bottle of acetone-free polish remover instead.

Wear a base coat or ridge filler.

Base coats and ridge fillers help strengthen your nails. Look for a base coat labeled as both “hydrating” and “strengthening”—these products have a lot of peptides and ceramides, which help strengthen your nails. Healthy, well-nourished nails are more likely to grow.

Snack on biotin-rich foods.

Your nails may peel and break if you don’t get enough biotin in your diet. If your nails seem especially brittle, stock up on biotin-rich foods like beef liver, egg, salmon, pork, sunflower seeds, tuna, spinach, or almonds. Talk to your doctor about taking a biotin supplement. In one study, over 60% of participants had stronger, healthier nails after taking a daily supplement.

Up your intake of protein, zinc, and iron.

Aside from biotin, protein, zinc, and iron are also great for your nails. Snack on plenty of protein-rich foods, like pork, beef, chicken, beans, and broccoli. Foods like shellfish, cashews, and green beans are a great source of zinc, and kale, spinach, and beef are all rich in iron. Switching to a nutrient-rich diet can help keep your nails healthy, which may help them grow longer. If you think that you’re iron deficient, get your blood tested at the doctor’s office. If your levels are really low, you might want to take an iron supplement.

Exercise each day.

If you don’t exercise a lot, your nails might not grow as much. To keep your nail growth at peak performance, try to exercise on a regular basis. Experts recommend exercising 30 minutes a day, or 150 minutes a week.

Apply minoxidil.

Studies show that a topical hair loss treatment can also boost nail growth. Spread a 5% minoxidil solution over your nails twice a day. According to past research, you might see results in as little as 1 week. Minoxidil is more commonly known as Rogaine.

Try a collagen treatment.

Research shows that collagen can boost nail growth. Ask your doctor if collagen is right for you. If they give you the go-ahead, take a bioactive collagen peptide (BCP) supplement once a day for 24 weeks. According to research, taking collagen regularly can help boost your nail growth, and also reduce brittleness. You can purchase BCP collagen online, or from some retail stores. This product is sometimes called “Verisol” collagen.