My Nails Have Ridges — Should I Be Concerned?

If you’ve noticed horizontal or vertical lines on the surface of your nails, you may have tried to buff them out or hide them with nail polish. But like any big change in your skin or nails, they shouldn’t be ignored. Nail ridges represent a change in the surface or texture of the nail. According to double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, M.D, they’re thin, visible lines that can run vertically from the base of the nail to the tip, or horizontally side to side. Either way nail ridges are a disruption or change in the growth of cells in the nail matrix, a group of cells beneath the cuticle where the nail originates. 

It’s important to look at the underlying cause of nail ridges in order to treat them. You’ll want to see a doctor or dermatologist to get to the root of your specific issue, but according to Dr. Camp, different lines often mean different things. “Vertical nail ridges may be related to aging, trauma, repeated mechanical injury — like picking — underlying medical conditions like psoriasis, or nutritional deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, iron, and zinc,” he explains. “Horizontal nail ridges are often related to trauma, but may represent a temporary pause in nail growth related to an underlying medical condition or illness such as a local or systemic infection.” 

Smaller vitamin deficiencies can be corrected easily, but it’s still important to talk to your doctor if your nail ridges persist, because they could be a sign of something more serious, such as thyroid disease or peripheral vascular disease (PAD). 

You’ll also want to consider that your manicure habits could be causing them. Acrylic nails or gel manicures can sometimes cause trauma to the nails, making them brittle, easy to break, and unhealthy. Once you rule out underlying conditions, you can try treating nail ridges topically. Dr. Camp suggests a good moisturizer, such as Elon’s Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner, Cetaphil’s Multi-Purpose Ointment, or DermaNail Conditioner. It might sound weird to moisturize your nails, but doing so nightly helps prevent them from becoming dry and cracking or splitting. You’ll also want to avoid picking at your nails or the base of the cuticle because this is a delicate area. Keep your nails trimmed and clean, but avoid professional manicures for a while to allow the nails to grow naturally without interference from trauma, polish, or chemicals.