Sophia Delgado
Ridges in fingernails are a common issue, but they can be annoying for people who prefer a smooth, even nail surface. While vertical ridges are a natural part of aging, horizontal ridges may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Causes of nail ridges include aging, genetics, compromised circulation, nutritional deficiencies, and excessive exposure to water, chemicals, and hand sanitizers. To treat nail ridges, you can use a ridge-filling base coat, nail strengtheners, or cuticle oil. You can also buff your nails, but be careful not to over-buff, as this can weaken your nails. Maintaining a healthy diet and limiting exposure to water and harsh chemicals can also help prevent and treat nail ridges.
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What You'll Learn
Use a ridge-filling base coat
While nail ridges are usually nothing to be overly concerned about, they can be annoying for people who prefer their nails to have an even, smooth surface. One way to address this is by using a ridge-filling base coat.
A ridge-filling base coat can be applied to bare nails to fill in ridges and provide a sleek, even finish. These base coats are formulated with ingredients like ceramides, which replenish moisture to your nails. One such product is the Essie Smooth-e Base Coat, which can be used alone or as a base for your nail polish. Other ridge-filling base coats include Olive & June's Ridge Filler, ORLY's Nail Armor, and Sally Hansen's Repair + Rescue Ridge Filler.
If you are looking for a more intensive treatment, you might consider a nail renewal system. The Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System is a three-step treatment plan that includes a nail bed exfoliation with glycolic acid, followed by a gentle buffing with a tri-grit file, and finished with a deeply hydrating gel-oil. This treatment is designed to combat brittle nails and ridges, revealing a healthy, hydrated, and youthful shine.
It is important to note that while ridge-filling base coats can help to disguise nail ridges, they do not address the underlying causes. Nail ridges can be caused by various factors, including nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalance, excessive water exposure, harsh chemicals, and certain health conditions. To effectively reduce nail ridges, it is recommended to address these underlying causes, such as maintaining a healthy diet or limiting exposure to water and chemicals.
Additionally, when using a ridge-filling base coat, it is crucial to follow proper nail care practices. Avoid over-buffing your nails, as this can weaken and thin them out. Instead, gently buff your nails before applying the base coat to ensure a smoother surface. It is also recommended to maintain cuticle health by massaging hydrating cuticle oil onto your nail beds and cuticles regularly.
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Buff nails gently
Buffing your nails can help to camouflage ridges, but it is important to do so gently and sparingly as over-buffing can damage the nail.
Firstly, trim your nails to the desired length using a nail clipper, then use a nail file to shape them. Place the file at the corner of your nail and gently slide it from the corner to the middle in one direction. Repeat on the other side of your nail until you achieve the desired shape.
Next, you can use a four-way nail buffer to gently sand, smooth, shine and file your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail with the large grit side facing down. Gently buff your nails in an X shape, ensuring that each stroke goes either downwards or upwards. Avoid buffing back and forth as this can cause nail splitting. Each nail only needs 6-8 strokes.
After buffing, repeat the process with the finer-grit side of the buffer to polish them. Each nail only needs 4-6 strokes for polishing.
It is important to note that buffing your nails can weaken them by thinning the nail plate and making them softer and more prone to breakage. Therefore, it is recommended to limit buffing to once a month at most.
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Maintain a healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for preventing and reducing nail ridges. While vertical ridges are typically a natural part of the ageing process, horizontal ridges can indicate underlying health issues or trauma to the nail matrix.
A well-balanced diet that meets your daily vitamin quota is essential for nail health. According to the Mayo Clinic, 20 to 30% of your calories should come from healthy fats, such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish like salmon. These foods help supply the body with magnesium, which is vital for nail health. Additionally, 20% of your calories should come from high-protein foods like lean meats, fish, beans, and eggs, which provide collagen and protein, both crucial for nail strength.
To promote healthy nail growth, include dairy products like milk, cottage cheese, and plain Greek yoghurt in your diet. Consume foods rich in biotin, such as eggs, vegetables, and nuts, and ensure adequate zinc intake through lean meats, fish, spinach, and mushrooms.
Staying hydrated is also critical for nail health. Aim for 2.5 to 3.5 litres of water per day to keep your body and nails well-hydrated, which is essential for preventing and reducing ridges.
In addition to a healthy diet, regular cardiovascular exercise is recommended to improve blood flow to the nails, helping to reduce ridges.
If you suspect nutrient deficiencies or health conditions causing nail ridges, consult a healthcare professional for guidance. They may recommend dietary supplements or refer you to a dermatologist for further evaluation and specialised care.
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Avoid harsh manicures
Avoiding harsh manicures is a great way to prevent nail ridges. Firstly, be mindful of the salon you choose. Ensure the salon is clean and organised, with covered trash cans, and that the manicurist uses sterilised tools that are cleaned after each client.
Secondly, be cautious of the manicure process. Avoid salons that use aggressive practices such as forceful cuticle removal or pushing back the cuticle with metal tools, as this can damage the nail matrix. Also, be wary of mixing products, such as adding acetone to polish, as this can compromise the quality and finish. If your gel nail polish isn't coming off easily, don't let them forcefully scrape it off, as this will damage your nails. Instead, they should have your nails soak again to soften the polish.
Additionally, be mindful of the ingredients in nail polishes. Common contact allergens include tosylamide/formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and triphenyl phosphate, which can cause skin irritation and even rashes on the eyelids. If you experience recurring nail problems or are allergic to acetone, consider traditional nail polish instead of gel, as acetone is required for gel removal.
Finally, be proactive with your manicurist. Ask questions and express your concerns. For instance, ask if their tools are sterilised, and request a ridge filler if needed. Remember, moderation is key when it comes to manicures, so give your nails breaks between polishes and rehydrate them with moisturisers.
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Use nail art to distract from ridges
If you're looking to disguise nail ridges, nail art is a great way to distract from the texture. You can try an eye illusion by adding lines in different directions to take the focus off the ridges.
Nail art can be a subtle way to hide ridges, and you can get creative with it. Try an ombré look, for example, which is a transition between two colours, usually a light and dark shade, for a dramatic effect. You can also add glitter or go for a multicoloured manicure.
French ombré is another option, or you can try something more out-there with neon nails and nail art. The options are endless, and you can express yourself while also hiding those ridges.
If you're doing your nails at home, you can also use a ridge-filling base coat to create a smooth surface before getting creative with your nail art. Just be sure to lightly buff between coats to ensure a smooth base for your nail art.
While nail art is a great way to disguise ridges, it's also important to address the underlying cause. Ridges can be caused by various factors, including aging, genetics, compromised circulation, and excessive exposure to water and chemicals. They can also be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, so be sure to eat a balanced diet with enough protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to remove nail ridges. You can use a ridge-filling base coat or a ridge-filling polish to fill in each little crevice. You can also buff your nails using a nail file with varying degrees of roughness. However, be careful not to over-buff as it can weaken your nail.
Fingernail ridges are usually caused by ageing, genetics, compromised circulation, and excessive exposure to chemicals and water. Nutritional deficiencies and hormone imbalances can also be the cause of nail ridges.
To prevent nail ridges, try to limit your hands' exposure to water, especially hot water. Cover your hands with gloves when washing dishes and limit excessive hand-washing. Avoid alcohol-based hand sanitisers and harsh manicures as they can dry out the skin around your nails.
Some recommended products to remove nail ridges include Olive & June's Ridge Filler, ORLY's Nail Armor, Sally Hansen's Repair + Rescue Ridge Filler, and Essie Smooth-e Base Coat.
