When you lose a fingernail, you would want to grow it back as soon as possible. But sometimes, it seems that your fingernail won't grow back. Well, that’s because fingernails grow back really slowly, sometimes taking 6 months or even longer. Luckily, here are simple tips that may help fingernails grow back quickly.
Methods to Help Your Fingernail Grow Back
If your fingernail doesn’t grow back as quickly as you want it, you’ll have to take care of your fingers more carefully. The first step is protect your nail.
Protect the Nail
- The skin beneath your nail may be exposed, so you need to put a band-aid around it at daytime and expose it during nighttime. Band-aids can help fight off infection and protect the sensitive skin from getting rubbed against other surfaces.
- When your nail starts to grow, don't disturb it or chip it. You might be tempted to pull off bits of nails, but try to resist the temptation.
- Use rubber gloves if you are going to wash dishes or do some gardening to protect your fingernails from harsh chemicals and to reduce your risk of infection or breakage.
Promote Nail Growth
- Moisturize your nail by using a cotton swab to dab it with coconut oil, flaxseed oil, or olive oil. This will also help moisturize the surrounding skin, which will promote healing and nail growth. Alternatively, you can soak the nail in a bowl with coconut/flaxseed/olive oil for about 15 minutes.
- Fingernail won’t grow back? Soak your nails in green tea. Fill a bowl with warm water. Add one to three bags of green tea and allow to steep for a few minutes. Soak your fingers in the bowl. Repeat every two to three days to soothe the skin around the nail and stimulate growth.
- Use fresh orange juice to soak your nails for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, let dry, and apply moisturizer. Do this once a day till your nail grows back.
- Try using biotin supplements to promote hair and nail growth. Biotin deficiency often leads to weak nails or slow-growing nails. Increase your biotin level by eating gelatin, but note that gelatin-containing supplements may increase oxalate levels in urine, which may increase your risk of developing kidney stones.
Get an Acrylic Overlay
Consider visiting a nail tech to get an acrylic overlay on the broken fingernail. This won't make the nail grow faster, but it will camouflage your broken fingernail until it grows back. You can put polish on the acrylic nail just like you would do on a normal fingernail.
Note
Fingernail won’t grow back? Nail regrowth occurs naturally. If you experience any pain, swelling, discomfort, immobility, discoloration, discharge, or foul odor, get medical attention because you may be having an infection.
More Remedies to Help Your Fingernail Grow Quickly
1. Lemons
These fruits contain lots of vitamin C which is necessary for healthy nail growth. It also helps improve yellow nails and add shine to your nails.
- You can combine some lemon juice with olive oil. Warm the mixture; then soak your nails for 10 minutes. Do this once daily for longer, stronger nails.
- You can also slice the lemon and rub it directly on the nails for 5 minutes. Rinse off with water and apply moisturizer to keep your nails hydrated.
2. Horsetail
Horsetail is an effective remedy for nail growth. It is a great source of calcium, silica, and other minerals.
- Take some horsetail herb and put in some water to boil. Let the leaves steep for 15 minutes. When water is cool, soak nails for 20 minutes. Do this 2-3 times daily.
- You can also try drinking horsetail tea every day for healthy nails and faster nail growth.
3. Stinging Nettle
This is another good remedy to promote nail growth. Stinging nettle contains high amounts of silica and other useful minerals that support nail growth. It also helps prevent yellow, weak, and brittle nails.
- Put dried stinging nettle herbs in boiling water. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey for greater benefits. Drink once daily for best results.
4. Tomatoes
They provide high amounts of biotin that helps promote nail growth and makes them look thick and shiny as well. Tomatoes are also rich in vitamin A and vitamin C which are important for skin and nail health.
- Mix some tomato juice with olive oil in a small bowl. Soak nails for 10 minutes. Repeat 2 times daily until you get best results.
5. Good Diet
If your fingernail won’t grow back, try having a diet rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, calcium, iron, and protein, which is highly important in promoting nail growth. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts, lean meat, fish, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Don’t forget to drink lots of water throughout the day to stimulate proper fingernail growth.