Toenails, like fingernails, grow from a hidden area under your skin called the nail matrix. This is the root of your toenail.
The Toenail Growth Process
- Cell Production: New cells are constantly produced within the matrix.
- Cell Movement: As these new cells form, older cells are pushed upwards and outwards.
- Hardening and Formation: The cells on the surface die and harden, creating the tough, protective toenail we see.
Factors Affecting Toenail Growth
Several factors influence how quickly your toenails grow:
- Age: Growth rate tends to slow with age.
- Overall Health: Nutritional deficiencies or underlying health conditions can affect growth.
- Trauma: Injury to the nail matrix can disrupt growth.
- Genetics: Individual genetic variations also play a role.
The process is continuous, with new cells constantly replacing old ones, leading to the continuous growth of your toenails. The provided reference states that: "Nails grow from underneath your skin at the matrix, which is the root of your nail. New cells form in the matrix. And as these new cells grow, older cells move up and push through your skin. The cells on the surface die and harden, turning into nails."
