Streaked Nails – A ridged nail is a nail where parallel lines in relief appear distinctly along the entire length of the pin. Ridged nails are among the most significant common nail problems, but rest assured: their causes have been identified, and it is possible to alleviate them.
In this article, we will help you understand everything about the characteristics of this phenomenon and the care to be carried out for more beautiful nails.
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Ridged Nails – What do they look like?
Toenails can also be affected by ridged nails. Ridged nails determined by perfectly straight and raised lines that form on the surface of the nails. These lines can sometimes be visible on the whole nail and all the fingers or in a much less uniform way.
Unfortunately, many people have streaks on their nails, although not everyone pays attention. These vertical and parallel lines can appear on both women’s and men’s nails, at any age, and more or less intensely.
Why are ridged nails a problem?
The ridges on the nails run parallel and can be a problem for people who want clean, smooth nails. They prevent a natural and varnish-free manicure. Some varnishes, conversely, tend to intensify this characteristic instead of erasing it.
The causes of ridged nails
The streaks that can see on his nails are natural streaks due to the growth of the nails. They are exaggerated in some people by internal or external factors and sometimes without them knowing other concerns.
Normal Ageing
Streaks on the nails are sometimes called “nail wrinkles”. Ridged nails can indeed be a consequence of ageing. They can therefore increase with age and intensify for women after menopause.
It is a natural evolution according to each person.
Minor Traumas
Successive small shocks on the nails can also be a cause of streaks. It can be counterproductive if you perform overly aggressive manicures, especially with a polisher.
These minor traumas lead to irregular growth of the nail, which can cause streaks.
Deficiencies in rare cases
Above all, rest assured, ridged nails are not the reflection of a severe illness, any more than a sign of a lack of calcium.
However, the nails can witness a significant iron deficiency, leading to a total deformation of the nails and not only of the longitudinal lines.
Ridged nails can be brittle nails that result from too regular contact with water or detergents. To avoid attacking your nails, it is essential to use household gloves.
The care and treatment to be carried out
As a reminder, ridged nails are not strictly speaking damaged nails. The ridges can nevertheless intensify, adding to other problems like brittle or soft nails.
There are specific gestures that will allow you, fortunately, to improve the condition of your nails.
Smooth your nails
The streaks are on the surface, and it is possible to smooth them in relief. But, too much polishing is the cause of trauma to the nail, which generates streaks. Therefore, it is essential to limit this gesture. Your gesture must remain light, touching so as not to attack the nail. So, polish your nails once a week at most.
Similarly, to file the edge, opt for a glass file instead. Softer, the glass file will create less tension on the nail plate. Again, remember to use cuticle oil or moisturizer after using this technique.
Opt for castor oil
Even if streaks are sometimes inevitable, it is possible to slow down their intensity by allowing the nail to grow in better conditions. Castor oil is well known for nourishing and facilitating good nail growth.
Specific varnishes are also available to smooth and reduce streaks. Some are particularly rich in silicon to fill the spaces between the ridges. Above all, these products make it possible to file the nails superficially.
Should you consult?
If you have ridged nails, it may be helpful to consult your doctor, who may discuss you with a dermatologist for a complete dermatological assessment. This professional will understand the mechanisms that lead to streaks, especially if you are experiencing other nail problems elsewhere.
