A solution for getting rid of them!
Those vertical ridges on my nails seem to be getting more and more noticeable as I get older. Recently, I paid close attention to those unsightly lines in the images for my recipe for pumpkin cheesecake dip, where my thumb is prominently displayed while holding a Nilla wafer. It was at that point that I made the decision to do some research to find out if those ridges had any significance for my health and if there was anything I could do to get rid of them.
What They Signify for Your Health.
After extensive research, I did discover that there is a very small, extremely unlikely chance that those ridges could indicate an underlying medical condition or even nail trauma, but for the majority of us, it’s completely normal as we age to see them becoming more obvious, especially if you have dry skin or skin conditions like eczema.
They have only recently begun to bother me—I’m 36—but I’m relieved to learn that they are probably benign. My age is simply increasing. : ).
What’s their purpose, though?
As we age, the nail matrix gradually begins to lose its effectiveness in some areas, causing your nails to grow out unevenly and leaving what we see as lines or ridges that run from the cuticle all the way up to the tip of the nail.
These ridges can, however, also be brought on by certain flaws or exacerbated by them.
Those bothersome vertical ridges in your nails may occasionally indicate a protein, zinc, calcium, or vitamin A deficiency in your body. It wouldn’t hurt to get a blood test to look for potential deficiencies if you have deep ridges or any other health issues.
How To Make Your Nails Look Less Like They Have Vertical Ridges.
Making sure to moisturize your hands and fingers throughout the day with a thick cream, oil, or petroleum jelly is the best way to prevent those lines from appearing in the first place. Pay particular attention to your cuticles. In essence, treat your nails the same way you would your wrinkles!
The fact that you can buff and polish them with a cheap $8 tool to make them smooth and shiny—almost like you’re wearing clear nail polish—also makes me sound like I’ve been living under a rock or something. This seems to be the quickest fix, but be careful not to get carried away with all that buffing and sanding, especially if you have thin nails. I found this shape and shine tool on Amazon, and now I feel like I have a brand new set of hands.
The obvious solution is to paint your nails, especially if you use a base coat that fills in ridges. Additionally, it helps your nail polish form a bond with your skin so that it lasts a little bit longer.
