Why does our hair and nails keep on growing after we die?

Question

Why does our hair and nails keep on growing after we die?

Answer 1

i guess it is because the hair and nails are made up of dead cells. so it really doesnt need a living person to grow it

Answer 2

I agree with Phil and smarties.

It's the drying out of the skin that causes the skin around the fingers (extremities in particular) to shrink back and reveal more of the nail/hair strand.

When people first started looking at dead bodies for things like this they measured the nails and yelled 'OMG THE NAILS AND HAIR ARE GROWInG!!!' because that's what it looks like.

Answer 3

Your cells keep undergoing mitosis (cell replication) and whether you are alive or not doesn't affect mitosis.

Answer 4

Hair and nails do not grow after death. It appears that way because the skin shrinks as it dries from lack of nourishment. As the skin pulls tight it seems that hair and nails get longer actually, the parts of the nails and hair that were below the surface of the skin are now noticeable.

Answer 5

our hair and nails do NOT continue to grow after we die.  This misconception is due to the fact the surrounding tissue recedes away from the nails.  the hair appears to continue to grow because as it falls out it appears as though there is added length.  

Once we die any metabolic process stops almost immediately because the body no longer receives oxygen....

Answer 6

Actually they don't. What happens is that your skin and muscle cells dry out and as they dry out they shrink and therefore they show more of your nails and hairs that were covered by your skin when you were alive.