Why Do I Have Nail Ridges?

I have heard this question from more clients than I can count!  

But what I need to know is...

What type of ridges do you have? Horizontal or Vertical?

Artwork by Dawn Loberg, from "The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails"

Vertical Nail Ridges

     Vertical nail ridges are the most common type of nail ridges.  They are like a fingerprint for your nail, one that amplifies with age.  As we get older, they can become more pronounced due to everyday abuse; repeated blows, beating and battering of the fingertips and fingernails.  Vertical ridges also become more pronounced when the finger is injured from catching them in drawers and doors. 

     But injury and repeated abuse is not the only cause of increased ridges.  Vertical nail ridges also become more pronounced as we age, due to lack of moisture in the nail.  As we age, our skin slows in the production of sebum, which hydrates our nails naturally.  Depending on the individual, this natural process will dry out the nail.  The nails becomes seemingly harder and the ridges become more pronounced, but they can also become more brittle and prone to breaking.

Horizontal Nail Ridges

     Horizontal nail ridges are less common and can be due to a multitude of reasons.  Most often, they are due to infection and injury.  A common horizontal ridge can be be created if your feet mildly over-pronate, causing your toes to hit the tip of your shoe as you walk or run.  Over-pronating as you walk or run can also cause you to bruise your nail and even have it fall off.  Of course it is important to see a doctor when such an injury or infection occurs, especially in the area of the nail matrix, the area around the moon of your nail and below the cuticle.  This type of injury or infection can cause permanent horizontal nail ridges and waves, although this usually only happens on one or more fingers or toes.  When the ridges are on all the nails, it is usually a systemic nail disorder and you will want to consult a doctor. The most common type of systemic nail ridges can be the caused by, but are not limited to:

1.       Nail Pitting, most commonly from Psoriasis

2.      Beau’s Lines, which can be a sign of a zinc deficiency or something more serious like uncontrolled diabetes, etc. 

     If you are unsure on what exactly is causing the condition, see a doctor.  And for more information on nail conditions you should never ignore, including Nail Pitting and Beau’s Lines, check out the slide show by Mayo Clinic “7 Fingernail Problems Not to Ignore”.  

How to Care for Nail Ridges 

     Usually, vertical nail ridges can be minimized by applying a cuticle oil, like Bella10 CutiOil, daily, which can help with rehydrating the natural nails.  Bella10 CutiOil was created to be high in Lineoleic acid, which softens and conditions the nail, and with natural oils that mimic the skins natural sebum which can be lost as we get older.  I have seen some amazing results when used regularly  in a daily routine.  Nails have become less ridged, more flexible, and have less peeling and breakage.

     Other ways to deal with nail ridges cosmetically is best done with a ridge filling polish.  It will help your nail polish go on smoother than without it.  Use caution if you plan to buff down any nail ridge.  Most (but not all) nails are the same thickness all the way across.  If you buff  the ridge down, you may thin the nail plate at the point of the ridge, thereby creating a weakened nail.  This is usually true for vertical nail ridges.  Buffing can create splits down the nail that take up to 6 months to grow out.  It is a good idea to keep this nail shorter in instances where the split keeps occurring, especially if you are hard on  your hands and nails.   When the ridge continuously creates a split nail, this may be an instance when nail glue with a filler powder, acrylic or gel product is needed to hold the nail together.  Use good judgement when making this decision.


An Important Note on Nail Infection

     If for any reason, an infection develops surrounding your nail or even under your nail, due to an injury or severely split nail, see a doctor immediately.  Blood poisoning can easily occur with some infections and is not to be taken lightly.  Seeing a doctor can also reduce the chance for permanent nail damage.  Permanent damage can create horizontal nail ridges, waves, chronic nail splitting and even the loss of the entire nail, which can not be cured or corrected.

 For more information on natural nail care, Get the Book,

"The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails" by veteran natural nail expert, Alicia Lyons

Bella10 CutiOil is the Best Cuticle Oil Ever!

I am  always busy!  I work in a salon full time, I write blogs about nail care and nail care products I like, so yes, I'm always busy.  We won't even mention my social life...  But this time I've added more to my busy life.  I've decided to get busy creating my own line of all natural nail care products.  And it feels right!  I feel that it's a natural progression in my career

 Since I've been in the beauty industry for over 30 years, worked with all kinds of products, I know what type of products work and with what kind of ingredients are best.  I've always wanted my own brand of Cuticle Oil, hence my saying "Oil, Oil, Oil" to all my clients and friends.  Oil in the natural nail helps to minimize nail peeling nails and it reduces nail breakage.

Presto!  Bella10 CutiOil!

But I had to have the right combination of natural oils, with natural vitamin content (A,C,D & E), that would hydrate the nail and the cuticle.  I knew that I wanted Almond Oil to soften the nail and allow the nail to bend a little and not break if it was bumped.  I wanted an oil to mimic the skin's own natural sebum.  Luckily, I not only found one in Jojoba Oil but I also found another that I just love, Macadamia Nut Oil.  When our skin slows in producing it's own oil, we need to topically apply something to help the nails and skin stay hydrated.  I also wanted Apricot Kernel Oil because it has a very small molecular structure and can be a carrier oil and draw the extra vitamin E that I wanted to add deeper into the nail itself.  I added a very light Egyptian Geranium and Rose fragrance too.  Wish this screen had a scratch and sniff so I could share how light and beautiful this fragrance really is.

I am very pleased with the mixture of all these fantastic natural oils.  The quality of the cuticle oil compares with some of the major brands that are on the market and the price is better than what you will find too.  I will be retailing CutiOil at only $9.99 per bottle and I am accepting wholesale accounts.

This is just the beginning, as it looks like I have the beginnings of making my own brand. CutiOil is available on the Bella10 website!

To find out more about the lotions, see

"Why You Should Consider Natural Ingredients in Your Skin Care and Cosmetics" 

 

Cuticle Nippers vs Cuticle Scissors

Through the years, I've always been a fan of cuticle nippers.  It's probably because when I was in beauty school (all those many years ago, lol) the first pair of cuticle scissors I had didn't work worth beans!  So nippers and I learned to be very good friends.  It was a struggle at first, but with practice, lots and lots and lots of practice, nippers and I were the best of friends!  Then I received cuticle scissor that blew me out of the water! These cuticle scissors were Tower Point TopInox® Stainless Steel Cuticle Scissors by Niegeloh, Germany from Zamberg.   Again, I've been a nipper fan from way back but I could not believe how these scissors handled.  It has an extra fine point to get into hard to reach areas, a sharp blade and smooth action to trim excess cuticle and skin with precision!  In a word, Dangerous.  In the wrong hands these scissors could do a lot of damage, but with desecration, these scissors were a dream come true.  What more could I ask for... I could ask for the ability to use these with greater ease.  I am just not used to looping my fingers into the finger grips.  What to do, what to do!  I need to practice with these!  OMG, they are so-o-o nice.   I love the cutting precision, especially with those flaps of skin further away from the cuticle area (that some of my clients love to create while picking at their cuticles).  These cuticle scissors eliminate that excess skin and create such a smooth finish.  So smooth that the client has nothing to get a hold of later.  lol.  Nippers can leave a ragged edge but not these scissors.  Yes, I may still utilize my nippers on occasion, but for now, I'm getting better acquainted with these beautiful new cuticle scissors. Again, if you want some quality manicure and pedicure implements, I highly recommend you go to Zamberg!  They really do have some of the best tools I've seen in a long time.  All of them are built to last so, with care, you probably won't need to purchase another cuticle nipper or scissor or even nail clipper for a very very long time to come.  Christmas is coming too, and these make excellent gifts for loved ones.  Check them out at http://www.zamberg.com/zb/home.aspx.