Ridged nails: what causes them and how to take care of them

Rather than being smooth, are your nails distorted by vertical or horizontal lines? Let's get straight to the point - you've got ridged nails! Yes, it can be a bit frustrating or even annoying if you want your fingernails to look immaculate, but it's a very common problem with multiple causes. Rest assured, there are solutions to remedy this and regain beautiful, healthy nails. 

These are vertical ridges that run from your cuticles to the tips of your nails. They are also known as 'nail wrinkles', as they often appear with age and in menopausal women. They are a sign that the body is producing less keratin and that your hormones are off-balance. These longitudinal ridges can also be caused by a nutritional imbalance that leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Another possible cause of longitudinal ridges is minor trauma to the nail plate caused by harsh manicures (applying false nails, drilling, using acetone-based Gentle Polish Remover) or extensive exposure to detergents or water.

These horizontal lines cross the nail widthwise, forming hollows and bumps in the nail surface. Horizontal ridges can affect your fingernails and your toenails. They are an indicator of abnormal nail growth due to stress or an emotional shock.

Now that you know how to spot both types of ridges, let's take a look at the remedies and best practices to treat and prevent ridged nails.

As mentioned previously, longitudinal ridges can be caused by nutritional deficiencies. It is therefore very important to follow a balanced diet rich in the vitamins and minerals needed for nail health, such as vitamin B, zinc and iron. Make sure you eat enough fruit, vegetables, protein, nuts and seeds, and supplement your diet with a course of Nail Boost food supplements to promote healthy nail growth.

We don't always realise it, but our nails can also be treated from the inside. If you want to know more about the structure and function of your nails, read our special article here.

Regular hydration is the key to healthy nails. Nail care products made from plant oils such as castor oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil are a particularly effective way to deeply nourish your nails and trigger growth. Regularly apply a moisturising hand and nail cream or nourishing oil to your nails and cuticles. Our Green Oil and Rose Balm are the best ways to prevent your nails from dehydrating and improve their overall health.

Longitudinal ridges can be caused by repeated trauma to the nails as a result of applying gel polish too frequently, using poor-quality products, excessive drilling or filing, or overexposure to water or harsh products. To prevent ridges from appearing, it is important to take care of your nails. Try as hard as possible to protect them from the little shocks of everyday life and give them a break between polish applications.

To maintain strong nails and make sure your polish lasts, you must first prep your nails. Here are a few tips you can adapt to suit your circumstances:

• Everyone should use a nail priming emery board before their manicure: this sponge-textured emery board gently erases small imperfections in the nail plate and opens it up slightly to help the base coat to adhere and the treatment to penetrate. 

You'll find more useful advice on prepping your nails properly and keeping them healthy here.

• For very damaged nails, our S.O.S. Base Coat is the ultimate treatment for protecting and revitalising fragile nails thanks to its formula enriched with vitamin B5, vitamin C and AHAs.

• If you're looking for a nail care & makeup combo: Active Smooth is an all-in-one perfecter made from up to 80% plant-based ingredients that fills in ridges and strengthens your nails thanks to its powerful cocktail of active ingredients (hexanal, AHAs and vitamin E). The result? Beautifully smooth nails enhanced by a delicate pinky-beige veil.

To find out your exact nail type and which nail care products are suitable for you, click here for a complete nail analysis in under 2 minutes.

The appearance of ridges on the nail's surface can be caused by a number of different factors. Ridged nails can be a sign of hormone imbalance (in the case of menopause, for example), nutritional deficiency or significant stress. They can also be caused by overexposure to water or chemicals used in daily household tasks. These lines can also appear if you apply gel polish too frequently and/or use products or methods that attack the nail plate (drilling, acetone, etc.).

To care for ridged nails, you need to moisturise and nourish the nails and cuticles using plant oils such as castor oil or sweet almond oil. It is also recommended that you follow a balanced diet to avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Finally, make sure your manicure is gentle and long-lasting, allow your nails to regenerate between polish applications and use nail care products specially designed for ridged nails.