Asked by: Simon Makin, Scotland
In 1941, American doctor William Bennett Bean began a 35-year study of his own fingernail growth, concluding that climate, season and geographical location have no effect on growth rate.
However, other studies have found a slight increase in growth during the summer – probably due to increased blood supply to the fingertips. But if you notice a sudden change while on holiday, it’s more likely that your nails just aren’t being worn away so fast while you’re relaxing by the pool, and the actual growth rate hasn’t increased very much.
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