“Your nails are getting long again, hurry up and cut them,” we often heard our mothers urge us when we were young. Back then, two of the most annoying tasks for us were getting haircuts and trimming our nails. Have you ever wondered how nails grow long?
Nails, like hair, grow continuously. However, the growth rate of nails is slower, approximately one-third the speed of hair growth. On average, nails grow about 0.1 mm each day. Therefore, you may not notice their change immediately. But over time, you will certainly see the difference. At the base of each nail, there is a point known as the nail matrix. This is essentially the factory that produces nails.
Nails are made of a type of hard keratin protein. This protein is formed from epidermal cells, which continuously grow from birth until death. The keratin protein in nails behaves similarly, leading to perpetual nail growth.
The growth rate of nails can change and is influenced by factors such as age, weather, health, and so on.
Nails, like hair, grow continuously.
People at different ages experience different nail growth rates. Generally, the fastest nail growth occurs in children and teenagers, followed by adults, with the slowest growth seen in the elderly. This is related to the body’s renewal processes.
It seems that we tend to cut our hair and nails more often in the summer than in winter. This is indeed true. In winter, the body’s renewal processes are slower compared to summer.
Moreover, the role of health is clearly significant. A healthy person has a higher ability to synthesize keratin protein in epidermal cells than someone who is ill, which can be observed by looking at their nails.
Have you noticed the white crescent-shaped spot at the base of your nails? That is the part of the nail that has just grown out. It acts like a clock that reflects the health status of our body. If you do not see the white spot, it may indicate that the nail formation is affected, suggesting that there may be health issues that need attention.
In addition to the aforementioned reasons, the growth rate of nails is also related to certain habits. For example, individuals who frequently bite their nails or use their hands and nails extensively (such as hairdressers) tend to have faster nail growth because their nails are subjected to continuous friction and stimulation.
Now, do you understand how nails grow long?
