Nails are made of a protein called keratin. They grow from the base of your nail under your cuticle. Your nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter.
And if you’re pregnant, you may have faster-growing nails, too. Fingernails typically grow about 0.5 millimeters per week.
Toenails usually grow slower, only about 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters per week (but can be twice as fast).
Nails reach their full length when they’ve completed their growth cycle and fallen off naturally (usually every 4 to 6 months).
Most people believe that nails stop growing at a certain length, but this is actually not true! Nails continue to grow throughout our lives, albeit at a slower rate as we age.
The average nail grows about 3mm per month, but this can vary depending on factors like nutrition and health.
So if you’re wondering why your nails seem to be staying the same length, it’s probably because they’re just growing more slowly than usual.
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No, Nails Do Not Stop Growing at a Certain Length
This is a common misconception about nails and one that can be easily debunked. Nails do not stop growing at a certain length – they will continue to grow as long as your body is producing keratin.
However, it is worth noting that as we age, our nails do tend to grow slightly slower than when we were younger.
They Will Continue to Grow As Long As You Have Healthy Nail Beds
Your fingernails and toenails are made up of a tough protein called keratin. They grow from the base of your nail under your cuticle.
Your nails grow faster when you’re young, pregnant, or taking certain medications, such as steroids.
The average person’s fingernails grow about 3 mm per month. Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails, and they usually only grow about 1 mm per month. As you age, your nails may become thicker, yellowed, or brittle.
Fingernails and toenails can also be affected by the disease. For example, psoriasis can cause changes in the nails including pits in the surface of the nail (nail pitting) Nail growth is determined by the health of your nail beds.
If you have healthy nail beds and are not subject to any sort of trauma or injury, your nails will continue to grow throughout your lifetime.
However, if you do experience trauma or injury to your nails, this can affect your ability to regrow properly. Additionally, certain medical conditions can also impact nail growth.
For example, psoriasis is a condition that can cause changes in the nails including pits in the surface of the nail (nail pitting).
It is Possible for Your Nails to Become Thinner
As you age, your nails may become thinner and more brittle. This can make them appear shorter. Your nails may also change color and shape.
Nails are made of a tough protein called keratin. They grow from the base of your nail bed, which is the fleshy part of your finger or toe that you can see under your nails. Your nails grow about 3 millimeters (mm) per month on average.
The rate of growth varies depending on factors such as age, season, temperature, diet, illness, medications, and injury.
For example, cold weather can slow down nail growth. As you age, the cells that make up your nail bed die off more quickly than they’re replaced.
This causes your nails to become thinner over time. Additionally, the blood vessels in your fingers and toes get smaller with age, which reduces blood flow to the area and further contributes to thinning nails. Poor circulation can also make your nails more brittle because there’s less nourishment reaching them.
Some health conditions can also lead to thinning or brittleness of nails. These include anemia, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), psoriasis, Raynaud’s disease (a condition that restricts blood flow to the extremities), and rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory disorder).
In addition, certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, cancer, depression, heart conditions, and osteoporosis can cause nail changes. Also, chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer often result in changes to fingernails and toenails.
HOW TO GROW LONG NAILS *tips for healthy & strong nails* | Ep. 3 💅🏻
Conclusion
Our nails are constantly growing, but they may seem to stop at a certain length. This is because the rate of growth slows down as we age.
Nails also grow faster in warmer weather and during pregnancy. If your nails are healthy, they should be smooth and have a pinkish hue.
If you notice any changes in your nails, such as ridges, grooves, or discoloration, you should see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
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.
