We spend a lot of time working on our nails, trying to look our best. Some people don’t give them a passing thought after that. It’s a pity, because there are some amazing facts about this body part that you have never guessed.
1. Fingernails and Toenails Don’t Grow at the Same Rate
Did you know that fingernails and toenails grow at different rates? The nails on your finger grow an average of 3.5 millimeters per month. Your toenails grow an average of 1.6 millimeters per month. It takes 4-6 months for the nails on your fingers to regrow and 12, but 18 months for toenails to grow back. Now you know why you cut your fingernails more regularly than toenails.
2. Nails are Made From Similar Material as Hair
Yes it’s true! Hair and nails are made of keratin. The only difference is the composition of this material in the two parts. What does this mean? Foods that help your hair will do wonders for this part of your body too.
3. Women’s Nails Grow Slower Than Men’s
Men experience a faster growth, compared to women. However, during pregnancy a woman’s nails grow much faster than their male counterparts.
4. Nail Biting Means You’re Anxious
This condition is so common that it has a name: onychophagia. It’s estimated that half the children between the ages 10 — 18 years bite their nails. But, this habit typically stops at the age of 30. Experts say this is the most common habit displayed by nervous people.
5. Nails on Your Active Hand Grow Faster
Are you left-handed? Then a nail on the left hand grows faster than the right. Another related fact is that the nail on the middle finger grows at a faster rate than the ones on other fingers. On the contrary, the nail of the thumb is the slowest in growth.
6. 4000 Years of Nail Manicures
Well, you may think that you are part of a fairly young grooming step. Wrong. The art of nail manicure has been around for 4000 years!
People’s nails have been visible for as long handshakes have been a custom. People have taken some sort of step to clean, cut, or maintain their nails for over 40 centuries.
7. Nails Don’t Breathe
Many people believe a nail is made up of living cells, which is totally wrong. Nail plates are made up of dead cells. They don’t breathe at all. However, the cuticles and nail beds have live cells that need nutrients and oxygen.
8. They don’t Sweat
Many people believe that nails can sweat, which is not true at all. The nail beds don’t have sweat glands, which means they can’t perspire. The skin around a nail has sweat glands. This skin produces the perspiration you notice around it.
9. They don’t Grow after Death
A common myth is that nails grow after death. Well, it is just that — a myth. The skin retracts around the nail, making it seem longer after death.
10. Stress Can Affect Nail Growth
When you have stress, you’ll notice a decrease in toenail growth. Stress diverts nutrients and energy away from the nails. This deprives them of the essential nutrients needed to grow.
The state of your nails communicates the state of your overall body health. Clean, well-kept nails show more than just fashion for you. They tell people that you are an organized person. So, a single look at your toenails or fingernails and a person can sometimes see the real you.
