Nail Plate Growth

How fast does the nail plate grow? This is a difficult question to answer. Many factors affect the growth rate. For example, the nail plates of each finger grows at different rates. Nail plates also grow slower at night and during the winter. On the average, the normal thumb nail will grow about 1/10 inch per month or 1 l/2 inches per year. The left thumb nail usually grows slightly faster than the right. The index fingernail plate grows the fastest, followed by the pointer and ring finger, which grow at almost the same rate. The thumb’s is the next slowest, but the slowest of all is the little finger’s. It grows abou1t I/4 inches per year.A s a rule, the longer the finger the faster the nail plate will grow.

Nail plates grow about 20% faster in the summer. They also grow faster during pregnancy. Nail plate growth increases by about 3 l/2% between the fourth and eighth month of pregnancy. From the ninth month until after delivery, growth rate increases by 20%, regardless of season. After two or three weeks the growth rate drops back to normal. Age also affects the growth rate. Growth peaks between the ages of ten and 14 years and slowly declines after age 20. Nail-biting, accidental damage, or loss causes nail plates to grow faster. Men’s nail plates grow faster than women, especially on the dominant hand. Many factors cause slow growth of nail plates. For example, being immobilized or paralyzed, poor circulation, malnutrition, lactation, serious infections, psoriasis, and certain medications.

Some believe that certain foods, (i.e,, gelatin or using special creams and oils), will increase the growth rate. This is untrue. Although the nail plate requires certain nutrients for proper growth, there is little evidence that eating any particular foods will cause them to grow faster. Creams, oils, and lotions are sometimes sold as “growth accelerators.’’ These claims are false, misleading, and illegal! No cosmetic product may claim that it will change or alter any body function. These products and other cosmetics are for beautifying only, not healing. Only medical drugs can make such claims. Remember-no cosmetic-related product can heal, repail; grow, or make any other similar claim.