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The following is a description of how to treat and camouflage them: There are very few things in this world that can calm us down quite, like getting our nails done. It is not necessary for us to have elaborate nail art or our nails shaped exactly like almonds, but having them polished makes us feel more put-together than when they are cracked, peeling, or dry.
As a result, we devote a significant amount of effort to ensuring that our fingernails and toenails continue to be in the best possible health. Our ears perk up when we hear about fads such as “nail slugging” making their way through TikTok. There are nail-strengthening cosmetics available on the market that perform wonderfully. We are aware that keeping a good diet may cause them to grow rapidly. We put a lot of emphasis on length and strength, but one thing that occasionally escapes our minds is the importance of ridges.
Ridges on the surface of the fingernails aren’t the end of the world, but they can be unpleasant for those who would rather have an even and smooth surface on their nails.
Therefore, in order to have a better understanding of what they are, what causes them, how to cure them, and how to mask them, we consulted three different specialists. Proper nail care with Maby blog.
What exactly are ridges on the nails?
However, celebrity nail expert Sonya Belakhlef adds that sometimes the surfaces of nails can have ridges that seem like miniature canyons plunging down to give the nail an irregular and rough feel. Nail surfaces are typically smooth, but sometimes they can have ridges like this. According to their explanation, “they can appear either vertically up-and-down along the nail bed or horizontally–from side to side.” This distinction is important to note.
Why do nails sometimes have ridges?
There are a number of potential explanations for why you are noticing ridges in your fingernails, some of which are more severe than others. Determine first if your ridges are horizontal or vertical before proceeding further.
The most frequent type of ridges are vertical, and the vast majority of the time, you don’t need to be concerned about them. According to Dr. Kim Nichols, a Board-Certified Dermatologist and the Founder of NicholsMD of Greenwich, the major reason that people suffer these kinds of ridges is because of the natural process of aging. Hannah Lee, a qualified nail artist, points out that another common reason is dehydration, both internally (caused by not drinking enough water) and externally (caused by doing things such as washing your hands an excessive amount). If you find ridges on your fingernails, it is best to play it safe and schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible. Ridges on the fingernails can be an indication of a number of different medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and vitamin deficiencies.
Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, are a very other matter. “These are often signals of more serious health concerns, as it shows that an underlying cause of some sort has temporarily stopped nail growth,” says Dr. Nichols. “This shows that an underlying cause of some sort has temporarily stopped nail growth.” Horizontal nail ridges are most frequently caused by diabetes, thyroid problems, and Raynaud’s syndrome, since these conditions have been proven to be the most common causes.
How to treat the ridges on your nails
There are a number of things that may be done to improve the strength of your nails and level out the ridges once you have spoken with your primary care physician to rule out the possibility of a more serious condition.
Ensure that you have a nutritious diet. A diet rich in dairy products, biotin, and zinc is what Dr. Nichols suggests eating. She goes on to say that “if for some reason you have a dietary restriction, I recommend taking supplements in order to ensure that your nails stay healthy and strong,” and she emphasizes the importance of this.
Use nail strengtheners on your nails. This is especially relevant if you are also seeing breakage and brittleness in your hair. ISDIN SI-Nails Serum is the product that Dr. Nichols offers to patients because “it is formulated with hyaluronic acid for hydration, pistacia lentiscus gum to promote keratin, and silane-dial salicylate to promote silicon production.”
Try to steer clear of harsh manicures. Or at the very least, take regular breaks. According to Lee, you should exercise extreme caution while getting manicures that include excessive filing or grinding on the nail bed. The elimination of these particular forms of manis is of comparable significance, given that they are likely to cause far more severe harm. However, Lee assures us that a well-educated nail tech should always be able to remove acrylics or gel without causing any damage to the natural nail below. In addition, please refer to: How to Remove a Hangnail and How to Avoid Getting One in the Future.
How to cover up the ridges in your nails
If you’re short on time but yet want your nails to seem flawless right away, you can always fake it until you make it. According to Belakhlef, a ridge-filling polish should be used to fill in each and every minor fissure. Use them on their own or as a base for your nail paint – Olive & June’s Ridge Filler, ORLY’s Nail Armor, and Sally Hansen’s Repair + Rescue Ridge Filler are three of our favorites in this category.
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