🧠 What are nail ridges?

Raised lines running up and down the nail plate (from the cuticle to the tip) are extremely common – especially as we age.

There are two main types:

✅

Vertical Ridges

Thin, parallel lines from the base to the tip

Usually harmless – part of natural aging

⚠️

Horizontal Ridges (Beau’s Lines)

Deep Nail Ribs

May signal illness, injury, or nutrient deficiency

In most cases, vertical ridges are not a medical problem – however, they can subtly reflect overall health.

🌟 What Causes Vertical Ribs on Nails?

1. Aging (most common cause)

As we age, nail growth slows, and the nail matrix (the tissue beneath the cuticle) becomes less smooth.

This leads to thicker, drier nails with visible ridges.

Think of it like wrinkles—but for nails.

✅ Completely normal—affects most people over 50.

2. Dehydration and dryness