Long, strong nails are everyone's dream. But sometimes, they take their time growing and we don't know how to boost their growth… Manucurist is here to help: we explain how nails grow and share our tips and tricks to activate nail growth while strengthening them.
How do nails grow?
Nail growth depends on several factors and can be supported or even accelerated with different treatments. Here are all the secrets to a flawless manicure with gorgeous, strong, perfectly healthy nails!
The nail matrix: the growth center
It's often overlooked, but nail growth starts beneath the skin in what is known as the matrix. You can partially see it through the nail as a small white crescent: the lunula. The matrix is the true production center for the cells that form the nail plate. Caring for this area is therefore essential for beautiful, strong nails that grow quickly. Not to mention the cuticles, the small skin at the base of the nails that protects the matrix!
A closer look at nail anatomy.
Keratin: the key protein for growth
We often hear about keratin, but what is it exactly? It's a fibrous protein that makes up 90% of our nails' structure, playing a fundamental role in their growth and giving them strength and rigidity. Inside the matrix, cells fill with keratin to produce a solid, uniform plate that grows steadily: this is the keratinization process. An impact, illness, or nutrient deficiencies can disrupt this process and weaken the nail structure, causing ridges or brittle nails.
Keratin, the key protein for nail growth.
Nail growth: good to know
Nails don't all grow at the same speed: fingernails grow about 3 mm per month, while toenails grow only 1 mm per month. And it varies across fingers: growth is faster on longer fingers (index, middle, ring) than on the thumb and pinky. Nail growth tends to speed up in summer when it's warm and blood flow to the matrix is higher. On the other hand, nail growth tends to slow down with age.
Discover nail care products that promote nail growth.
The In & Out approach to boost growth
At Manucurist, to boost nail growth and strengthen them, we chose the In & Out method: a holistic approach that cares for nails from the inside by nourishing them at the source, as well as from the outside with targeted treatments. The perfect synergy!
In: nourish nails from the inside
A diet rich in vitamins and minerals
Nails and hair share the same struggle because they share the same protein: keratin. They therefore share the same vitamin and mineral requirements to ensure healthy, fast development. Essential nutrients include biotin (vitamin B8), known to boost the production of this structural protein. Biotin-rich foods include (cooked) eggs, dairy products, fruit, grains, nuts, yeast, and organ meats. Iron and zinc intake are also essential for healthy nail growth.
Targeted dietary supplements for growth
For an even more targeted boost, try our in-house solution: Nail Boost dietary supplements. A concentrate of vitamins A, B2, B6, B8, B9, C, and natural active ingredients (brewer's yeast, blueberry and turmeric extracts, magnesium, and copper), Nail Boost works deep down to strengthen your nails and promote growth. As a bonus, it also treats your hair! An intensive 3-month cure of 2 capsules a day accelerates nail growth by 25% and significantly reduces ridges and splitting (clinically proven results in a test on 31 participants).
With Nail Boost, say goodbye to deficiencies and hello to revitalized, strengthened nails.
Out: boost growth with targeted regenerating care
Manucurist nail care treatments are designed to meet the specific needs of different nail types. Don't hesitate to take our online diagnostic to find the most effective care routine to help your nails grow faster.
Kératine Booster and Duo Day & Night
If you notice that your nails are soft, brittle, or splitting, and their growth has slowed down, the Kératine Booster hardening treatment is the ideal solution. Thanks to a 96.5% plant-based, biomimetic formula, it instantly strengthens soft nails and redensifies the nail plate by stimulating natural keratin production. Simply apply to bare nails up to 3 times a day for 5 to 7 days. Its non-greasy, non-sticky texture is instantly absorbed by the nail.
For 24/7 deep action, choose the Duo Day & Night combining Kératine Booster and S.O.S. Mask. Your fragile nails enjoy daytime care with Kératine Booster and ultra-hydrating nighttime care with the S.O.S. Mask applied every 3 days.
Kératine Booster and Duo Day & Night, a mix of hardening and hydrating treatments to boost soft, fragile nails.
Strengthening Base Coat
It's the treatment base coat that saves soft, thin nails. Enriched with glycolic acid and gluconolactone, a hydrating and soothing agent, the Strengthening Base Coat acts as a hardener and promotes cell renewal while eliminating dead cells. The result: healthy growth and solid nails that withstand everyday knocks. Plus, it's ultra-versatile: use it as a Base Coat under Green™ nail polish or as a treatment cure applied twice a week on well-prepped nails.
S.O.S. Base Coat
Not sure how to repair nails severely damaged by gel removal with an e-file or acetone? Don't panic, the S.O.S. Base Coat comes to the rescue! Enriched with vitamins B5 and C, Hexanal, and AHAs, this intensive treatment acts like a healing bandage: it boosts cell renewal and strengthens keratin fibers. In a 3-week cure, the nail plate is restored, leaving nails visibly stronger and healthier.
Repair severely damaged nails with the S.O.S. Base Coat to restore healthy growth.
Daily care for strong nails
A daily care routine is what keeps nails deeply nourished and creates the ideal conditions for optimal nail growth. Here are the top products to look out for:
Perfecting Concentrate for hydration
A treatment pen to use freely wherever and whenever you like to revitalize fragile nails. Rich in castor oil, sunflower oil, vitamin E, and mastic gum extract, the Manucurist Perfecting Concentrate boosts nail and cuticle hydration, enhances elasticity, and promotes growth by stimulating blood circulation. Nails are stronger, more resilient, and less prone to splitting or breaking. Once you try it, you won't be able to live without it!
Green Oil to nourish nails and cuticles
Manucurist Green Oil features a vegan formula packed with 6 nourishing oils (sweet almond oil, baobab seed oil, walnut oil, passion fruit oil, coconut oil) creating an ultra-hydrating nutrient concentrate. Simply massage a drop of Green Oil into your nails and cuticles, and your hands will thank you.
Hydrate and nourish freely—that's the secret to ensuring healthy nail growth.
Active™ nail care polishes to strengthen and beautify
While they are not growth boosters, Active™ nail care polishes deeply nourish nails and promote healthier growth.
Rich in AHAs and sweet almond oil, Active Glow™ strengthens the nail plate and locks in natural hydration. With the added bonus of a nuanced rosy glow effect, from peachy pink to intense pink, coral, and lilac. Also rich in AHAs, Active™ Bright and Shine fortify while brightening nails. You can use them on their own or layered with other Active™ treatments to switch up the effects.
Care for and enhance your nails with the Active™ nail care polish range.
Practical tips and precautions
To make nails grow faster, the key is consistency and gentleness. Even with the best treatments, certain daily habits can slow down growth or weaken the nail plate. A few simple steps help preserve their health and encourage optimal regrowth.
🛡️Protect your nails from damage: repeated exposure to household cleaning products or moisture can alter keratin and slow growth. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands whenever they come into prolonged contact with chemicals or hot water.
💅Opt for a gentle, well-prepped manicure: file your nails gently and care for your cuticles regularly, allowing them to fulfill their role of protecting the nail matrix. For your manicure, avoid damaging methods that can harm them, especially during removal. Choose vegan, plant-based polishes that respect nail health, like Manucurist's Green™ and Green Flash™ ranges. Finally, give your nails breaks between manicures to let them regenerate naturally.
Green™ and Green Flash™, two nail polish ranges that remove gently, with no e-file and no acetone.
Growing your nails faster starts with a holistic approach: understanding how they work, nourishing the body from within, and adopting targeted daily care. By protecting the nail matrix, strengthening keratin, and maintaining proper hydration, you create the ideal conditions to boost their growth. With a consistent routine and targeted products, nails gradually gain strength, resilience, and length. The result: stronger, healthier, naturally longer nails, ready to show off every manicure ✨💅
