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The science behind rubbing finger nails

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1. Rubbing Finger Nails

Rubbing Finger Nails

It is a popular idea between the practitioners of complementary medicine and Indian culture that rubbing fingernails together can give you thick, dense and healthy hair. Is there any logic in this notion? Let’s try to find out…

2. Is rubbing fingers nails helpful?

Is rubbing fingers nails helpful?

The encouraging results of this act are supported by many anecdotal claims, and there are many proponents and followers of this ancient practice. Some have even claimed hair re-growth on bald areas.

3. Rubbing Nails : Good Luck?

Rubbing Nails : Good Luck?

We as a child used to rub fingernails together on seeing rain. I have no clue as to why we would rub our fingernails, although the whole exercise was thought of as a good luck sign.

4. Yoga : Rubbing Nails

Yoga : Rubbing Nails

I was reintroduced to this practice at a yoga training program by Allahabad University’s Yoga Prof Buddhisagar, but this time it was for different reason – Hair Growth. I must say I then had thick, shiny and abundant hair.

5. Hair Growth?

Hair Growth?

It is believed that if finger nails are rubbed against each other for a few minutes every day, it stimulates hair growth, reverses graying and also improves overall hair health.

6. Balayam


This practice is also known as Balayam: where bal means hair and vyayam means exercise. This is a term given by several Yoga masters.

7. How it Works?

How it Works?

There is little knowledge regarding how Balayam works towards the health of hair. However, Yoga masters speculate that maybe the energy created by rubbing of fingernails fixes the body’s chakras or meridian and amends imbalances in the flow of power, something similar to reflexology.

8. Scientific Reason

Scientific Reason

So when you trigger the appropriate reflex points, the meridian energy is channelized through pathways to the affected areas of the body, increasing energy and health in those areas. There may be some point to this clarification, because when you rub fingernails against each other it causes tingling in the scalp. This may then stimulate hair growth.

9. How to do Balayam?

 How to do Balayam?

Rubbing of nails is done on an empty stomach or 2 hours after food. Curl the fingers as if to form a half fist (see picture) and rub the fingernails of each hand against each other briskly for five to ten minutes (rub only fingernails and exclude the thumb).

10. You can do it anywhere

You can do it anywhere

You can do this anywhere you want – while waiting for or travelling in the bus/train, walking in the park, in your house. I tried this in Metro while travelling to my office. You will feel a tingling sensation starting from your fingers and going up to your scalp.

11. Center of attention

Center of attention

It may help if you focus your attention on the scalp and hair, and visualize your hair getting thick and healthy (or what you want to accomplish). This principle can be applied when you practice other Asanas too.

12. Not a one day Task

Not a one day Task

Rubbing fingernails together for five to ten minutes twice a day is recommended. You need to keep patience as results are usually seen in a three to four months time.

13. The evidence

The evidence

In reality the nail rubbing exercise has no scientific backing whatsoever. That been said, complementary and holistic therapies in general have a little or no validation.

14. Does this make them invalid?

Does this make them invalid?

The answer is unknown. Due to lack of accurate data collection or scientific robustness, it makes such practices difficult to comprehend. Moreover, people who practice rubbing the fingernails do it alongside other home treatments. This can help you to find a solution.

15. Why no one ever tried to find out

Why no one ever tried to find out

Even if there is any improvement it becomes difficult to attribute this exclusively to nail rubbing. You can perform it to find its effect. Besides, there is no monetary reason to delve into the cost extensive research to prove the point since this exercise involves no practitioner or product, and can be done totally free of cost.

16. You should Try

You should Try

Why not give it a try? There is no cost concerned and it can be done at your home. Simply join your fingernails and start practicing. It may just work for you!

17. Pregnant Ladies: Word of caution

Pregnant Ladies: Word of caution

Avoid nail rubbing during pregnancy, or if there is any skin or nail condition around the contact area, or if you suffer from high blood pressure.

18. Share your Views!

Share your Views!

Have you practiced nail rubbing? Please share your feedback and experience and let us know if it had any effect on the hair growth. Happy Reading!

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