Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD

• Aging can significantly impact the health and appearance of toenails and fingernails.
• With age, nails grow slower and they can change color, texture, and shape.
• Changes in nail health are normal with age, but in some cases, they may be signs of chronic conditions. 

Noticing differences in the texture of your nails, their color, or how fast they're growing? It may be the result of getting older.

Here are seven changes that can happen to your fingernails and toenails over time—and when they might be an indicator that something is going on with your health.

1. Growth Slows

Nails are slowly growing all the time. The speed of that growth can vary from person to person, but healthy fingernails typically gain 1.8–4.5 millimeters of length per month. In other words, it takes about six months for your fingernail to fully grow out. Toenails grow at least twice as slow as fingernails do—it takes 12–18 months for a toenail to grow out completely.

With age, nail growth slows down, and you may not need to trim as often. Starting at around age 25, the growth rate decreases by about 0.5% per year. Women's nails grow at a slightly slower rate up until about age 60, but by the time people reach their 80s, men have slightly slower-growing nails.

2. Nail Color Changes

It’s common for nails to change color with age. Often, they go from being clear to more opaque and dull. Some people might also notice gray, brown, white, or yellow discoloration.

3. Pigmented Streaks Can Form

Many people, especially those with darker skin tones, may develop brown or black bands that run down the length of their nails. These pigmented streaks usually get wider or more numerous with age, though some people also get them during pregnancy.

This condition, called longitudinal melanonychia, is most likely to show up in the thumbs, index fingers, and larger toenails.

4. Nail Texture May Decline

As you get older, the texture of your nails—especially your fingernails—gradually changes. Nails can become more brittle and less flexible, which can manifest as flaking horizontal lines, vertical splits, or deep grooves or ridges. In addition, nail surfaces may develop a rough, sandpaper-like texture or pits (dents in the nail).

These issues can be caused by the dehydration of the nail, overuse of nail polish, very frequent hand washing, or simply due to age-related changes in blood circulation and cells within the nail or connective tissue underneath. Brittle nails are more commonly seen in women over the age of 50.

5. Nail Thickness Can Change

Not everyone experiences changes in nail thickness, but some people may find that their nails get thicker or grow thinner over time.

One possible cause of increased nail thickness is onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenail. This condition is more common among older people (specifically men). In fact, some research suggests over 50% of people over the age of 70 have experienced a toenail fungal infection.

6. Ingrown Toenails Can Form

Long-term pressure from too-tight shoes, poor nail trimming, or other deformities in toe or foot can cause an ingrown toenail. When this happens, the toenails' edges push into the surrounding tissue, leading to pain, swelling, and a greater infection risk.

Overall, ingrown toenails are more common in adolescents and younger adults; however, some people may start to develop more ingrown toenails as they age and their toenails become thicker.

7. Nail Contour May Look Different

The overall shape and outline, or contour, of nails can also change with age. The sides often get curvier, bending in toward the skin, while the top of the nail becomes flatter. In addition, several conditions can arise:

• Spooning (koilonychia): The nails become soft and a depression forms in the center of the nail.
• Pincer nails: Usually found on the big toe, pincer nails are thick and curve in significantly into and under the skin.
• Clubbing: The nails become enlarged and round, which may be a sign of serious disease.

When To Get In Touch With Your Doctor

It’s normal for fingernails and toenails to look different as you get older. However, sometimes nail changes can be signs of underlying health concerns:

• Slow nail growth: This is more common among people who are immunocompromised, suffering from an infection, taking certain medications, or experiencing nutrient deficiencies.
• Nail color changes: These may be a sign of a fungal or bacterial infection, an injury to the nail bed, or certain nutrient deficiencies. In particular, white nails can be related to heart health issues, diabetes, selenium deficiency, or kidney issues.
• Dark streaks on nails: In rare cases, these brown or black bands on nails are signs of malignant subungual melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer.
• Contour changes: Spooned nails may be a sign of anemia or thyroid issues. Pincer nails are often inherited, but they can also be linked to systemic diseases such as lupus and kidney disease.
• Differences in texture or thickness: Brittle nails and other changes in texture or thickness may be indicative of a range of conditions, including infections, diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, eczema, anemia, and more.

If you’re concerned about any changes you're seeing in your nails, it's best to set up an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist, as they can determine whether some other health issue might be going on.

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Kristina Dawson