{"id":949,"date":"2024-01-07T16:44:43","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T16:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/?p=949"},"modified":"2024-01-07T16:54:29","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T16:54:29","slug":"does-water-make-your-nails-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/does-water-make-your-nails-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Water Make Your Nails Grow? A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you’re wondering if drinking more water or soaking your nails can help them grow faster and stronger, you’re not alone. Many people want long, healthy nails but struggle with fragility and slow growth.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: research shows that proper hydration is crucial for overall health, including nail growth<\/b>. Water alone won’t necessarily make nails grow faster, but not getting enough can lead to slower, brittle nail growth.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the science behind nail growth, look at studies on water intake and nail health, provide tips for hydration, and suggest other evidence-based ways to grow strong, healthy nails.<\/p>\n
The nail is made up of different parts that all work together to enable healthy nail growth. The visible part of the nail is called the nail plate. Underneath the nail plate is the nail bed, which contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the nail.<\/p>\n
At the base of the nail is the matrix, which is where new nail cells are formed and push outwards as new nail growth. The cuticle is the thin skin around the top of the nail plate that protects the matrix. The nail folds are the skin on either side of the nail plate.<\/p>\n
The lunula is the whitish half-moon shape at the base of the nail.<\/p>\n
Nail growth occurs in cycles. The active growing phase is called the anagen phase, which lasts about 2-4 months for fingernails. This is when the matrix produces new nail cells that push outwards and become the hardened nail plate.<\/p>\n
After the anagen phase is the resting phase called the catagen phase, which lasts about 2-3 weeks. Then the old nail that grew in the last cycle sheds, which is the exogen phase lasting around 2-4 months. After shedding, the cycle starts again.<\/p>\n
On average, fingernails grow about 3-4 millimeters per month. Toenails grow a bit slower at about 1-2 millimeters per month. However, many factors like age, genetics, season, and health can affect the rate.<\/p>\n
Nail growth can be influenced by many internal and external factors:<\/p>\n
While water alone doesn’t directly make nails grow faster, staying hydrated is beneficial. Drinking adequate water supports circulation and metabolism, allowing nutrients to reach the nail matrix for growth.<\/p>\n
Water also keeps the skin and cuticles healthy, removing excess keratin that can restrict growth.<\/p>\n
Dehydration can have numerous negative effects on nail health. When the body is deficient in fluids, nutrients cannot travel effectively to the nail matrix where new nail cells are formed. This can lead to:<\/p>\n