Do you have vertical lines on your nails? They’re totally normal. They’re just another sign of aging (like we needed another one…). Before you panic-Google your way into thinking you’re dying, breathe. Vertical ridges on fingernails don’t mean your health is in crisis or that you’re not taking care of yourself. In most cases, they’re nothing more than a cosmetic annoyance – one that comes with living long enough to care about your cuticles. By the way, they’re called onychorrhexis. Here’s all you need to know about them:
What Are Vertical Ridges On Fingernails?
They’re those little raised lines that run from the bottom of your nail to the top. Some are super faint, others feel like your nail turned into a washboard overnight. They’re not painful, they’re not dangerous. They’re just kind of… there. They usually show up on your fingers first and might get more obvious with age, certain lighting, or that one nail polish that somehow highlights every flaw.
And just to clear things up: vertical ridges = normal. Horizontal ridges = not normal. If your nail’s got side-to-side dents, that could be a sign something else is going on. But if they run top to bottom? That’s just your nails aging, drying out, or doing their own thing.
What Causes Vertical Ridges?
Think of vertical ridges as wrinkles. As you get older, they’re gonna get you. Cosmetologist Jen Atkins says it better: “as you age, the growth of your nails slows down and ridges can form from lack of moisture from your body’s natural oil.” By the way, you don’t need to be that old to get them. They can show up announced on your nails as early as in your ’30s. But it’s after 50 that they multiply.
Why? Lawrence Gibson, M.D. and Dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic thinks it’s because of “variations in cell turnover within the nail.” Basically, when you get older, your nails can’t renew themselves as fast and well as they used to.
Another lesser-known factor? Genetics. If your mom or grandma had pronounced ridges, chances are you will too. Some people just have a natural tendency to develop them more prominently than others. Same as with smile lines or crow’s feet.
And while we’re here: dehydration and nutritional deficiencies can make them worse. If you’re skipping meals, avoiding fats, or hopping from diet to diet, your nails will eventually spill the tea.
Related: I Went On The Low-Glycemic Diet And It Transformed My Skin
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How Do You Deal With Vertical Ridges?
Do you want the bad news or the good news first? Ok, bad goes first. There’s no cure for onychorrhexis. Yep, once you get it, you get it. But – and this is the good news – you can do something to make your nails look better:
- A healthy diet is a must here. Your nails need biotin to stay in good condition, so gobble down foods rich in it. The best ones? Soybeans, sweet potatoes, cheese, brown rice, and, you guessed it, green leafy vegetables.
- Use your hand cream daily. Reapply it after every wash. Yes, it’s a pain, but vertical ridges are caused by lack of moisture. So, put as much moisture back into your nails as you can. (FIY, if you’re looking for a natural alternative, a few drops of olive oil will do the trick).
- Wear gloves when you wash the dishes. Dish washing detergents can be harsh on the skin and dry it out. And that just makes it easier for vertical ridges to develop.
- Already stuck with vertical ridges? Your best bet is to use a ridge-filler to smooth out the nail bed. I guess you could gently buff the nails too, but I don’t recommend it. Your nails are already weak. You don’t want to make things worse.
- Oh, and if you’re a gel manicure fan: give your nails a breather every now and then. Constant filing, acetone, and UV exposure can dry out the nail plate and make ridges worse.
When To See A Doctor
You don’t need to see a doctor if you have vertical ridges on your nails. But if you get horizontal ones or your nails change colour, consult your doctor ASAP. Changes in nails are often the symptoms of underlying health conditions so you want to get checked out, and the sooner the better too.
Examples of things to watch out for: a dark streak down the nail (could be melanoma), pitting or crumbling (sometimes linked to psoriasis), or yellow, thickened nails (could be a fungal infection). These aren’t things to treat with home remedies.
FAQs On Vertical Ridges On Fingernails
Can vertical ridges be a sign of a deficiency?
Yeah, sometimes. If your ridges are deep or your nails are also going brittle, splitting, or changing colour, you may be low on iron or B vitamins. Especially if you’re also feeling tired all the time or losing more hair than usual. Worth getting it checked.
Should I take supplements?
Biotin’s the classic one people swear by… and there’s actual science behind it. But don’t expect instant results. We’re talking a few months before your nails start showing any love. Collagen and silica get thrown around too, but they’re more hit-or-miss. If you’re curious, try one thing at a time so you actually know what’s helping.
Do those nail oils do anything or nah?
They do… if you use them regularly. Jojoba oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil… they all help lock in moisture and keep the nail plate from drying out and peeling. But it’s like lip balm: putting it on once doesn’t do squat. Gotta commit.
The Bottom Line
Vertical ridges are annoying, sure, but they’re also super normal. Most of the time, it’s just your nails doing their thing as you get older. You can’t make them disappear, but you can make your nails look a whole lot better. Eat well, moisturise often, stop skipping the hand cream, and chill on the gel manis. Basically: treat your nails like you actually want them to stick around.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
