Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Too Much of a Good Thing?

The nails of the “Guinness World Records” measure an astounding 20 feet 2 1/4 inches.

by Staff
November 1, 1998
1 min to read


Shridhar Chillal of Pune, India, knows how to captivate a crowd. When he pulled the brown cloth bag of his left hand to reveal his record breaking long nails, the audience of Fox’s “Guinness World Records” TV show let out a collective gasp. Together his five nails measure an astounding 20 feet 2 1/4 inches. That breaks down by finger as follows: thumb, 56²; index finger, 43²; middle finger, 46 1/4²; ring finger, 49 1/2²; and pinkie, 47 1/2². As you might expect, caring for the nails, which he rubs daily, with boric acid, is quite an ordeal for Chillal and his wife. It’s hard to sleep, and the weight of the nails causes constant pain in his hands. Why spend 46 years growing your nails? “I wanted to be different from the ordinary man,” says Chillal. “If I broke a nail, I would probably have a heart attack.”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...