Do Fingernails Grow Faster Than Hair? It’s a common question with no definitive answer. However, there are some interesting theories out there about why this may be the case.
One theory is that nails grow faster than hair because they’re made of harder keratin. This means that nails don’t experience the same amount of wear and tear as hair, so they can grow at a faster rate.
Another theory is that our hands are constantly in motion, which helps stimulate blood flow and encourages nail growth.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that nails have a speedy growing cycle! Your hair and nails are made of the same thing – keratin.
This protein is produced in cells called keratinocytes, which make up the majority of your skin. The difference between your hair and nails is that your nails grow faster.
The average person’s fingernails grow about 3.5 millimeters per month, while hair grows about 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters per day.
That means that your nails grow about 10 times faster than your hair! There are a few reasons for this difference in growth rate.
For one, the cells that make up your nails (keratinocytes) are much more densely packed than the cells that make up your hair (hair follicles). This makes it easier for nutrients and Keratin to reach the nail bed, promoting growth.
Another reason is that our fingers have much more blood flow than our scalp, which also helps to promote nail growth.
Additionally, the structure of our nails – with their hard surface and relatively inflexible nature – means they don’t experience the wear-and-tear that our hair does on a daily basis.
All of these factors contribute to why our fingernails grow so much faster than our hair!
Credit: www.sciencefocus.com
Do Fingernails Grow Faster Than Hair
While it may seem like your fingernails grow faster than your hair, they actually grow at a similar rate.
The average fingernail grows about 3.5 millimeters per month, while the average strand of hair grows about 0.4 millimeters per day.
So while fingernails may appear to grow faster, it’s really just an illusion created by their smaller size.
How Fast Do Fingernails Grow
Your fingernails are made of a tough protein called keratin. They grow from the base of your nail under your cuticle. On average, fingernails grow about 3 mm (0.12 inches) per month.
Your toenails grow more slowly than your fingernails. Toenails take about six months to grow from the base to the tip of your toe.
Why Do Fingernails Grow Faster Than Hair
Your fingernails grow faster than your hair because they’re made of harder keratin. The rate of growth is about 3.5 millimeters per month for nails and 1.25 centimeters per month for hair, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
The AAD also notes that nails grow fastest during summer months, while hair growth is quickest in the spring.
There are a number of factors that can affect both nail and hair growth, including age, hormones, diet, medical conditions and medications.
For example, women tend to have faster nail growth during pregnancy due to higher levels of estrogen.
Menstruation can also impact nail growth, with some women noticing a change around the time of their period. Anemia can cause slower growth in both nails and hair.
Certain illnesses like psoriasis can lead to changes in the appearance of both nails and scalp hair, while skin disorders such as eczema may contribute to brittle nails. Medications like chemotherapy can also cause changes in fingernails and hair.
Why Do Fingernails Grow Faster Than Toenails?
Conclusion
Your fingernails grow faster than your hair. In fact, they grow about three times as fast! The average person’s nails grow about 0.12 inches (3 mm) per month.
That means you can grow an inch of nails in just over two months!
Dr. Aditya Gupta is a highly accomplished Indian doctor with extensive experience in the field of neurology. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Dr. Gupta completed his medical degree from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), followed by his postgraduate studies in neurology from the same institution.
