{"id":92260,"date":"2016-06-13T14:47:01","date_gmt":"2016-06-13T21:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nailcarehq.com\/?p=92260"},"modified":"2024-01-18T21:41:45","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T04:41:45","slug":"ridges-in-nails-to-buff-or-not-to-buff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/ridges-in-nails-to-buff-or-not-to-buff\/","title":{"rendered":"RIDGES IN NAILS \u2014To Buff or Not To Buff?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ridges in Nails\u2014ASK ANA<\/p>\n

\"www.nailcareheadquarters.com<\/p>\n

ASK ANA<\/h2>\n

Hi Ana, I am starting to get deeper ridges on my nails and I don\u2019t like the way it looks. Is it ok to buff them down so my nails are smooth? Some people say yes, some say don\u2019t do it. I don\u2019t know who to believe. ~Jessica<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ANSWER\"Ridges<\/a><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve got ridges too and I don\u2019t like them either.<\/p>\n

And you know, it\u2019s pretty tough to find the truth, especially when Oprah\u2019s<\/strong> very own beauty director<\/strong>, Val Monroe, recommends incorrect advice<\/strong>.\u00a0She endorses buffing your nails smooth or covering ridges with an opaque (solid) polish.\u201d [source: Oprah.com<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Both of these are terrible ideas! <\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll explain why.<\/p>\n

The Truth About Ridges in Nails<\/h2>\n

I recently finished watching the\u00a03D DVD “Inside Doug Schoon’s Brain<\/em>.”<\/a>\u00a0 Mr. Schoon’s book, Nail Structure and Product Chemistry<\/em> is my ‘Nail Bible’. I can not tell you how exciting it was to me to finally find out “WHY<\/strong>” we should NOT<\/strong> file down ridges! *geeky girl glee.*<\/p>\n

In this DVD, Mr. Schoon explains what’s happening with ridges by using an electron microscope photo enlarged 150 times.<\/p>\n

You know how I say almost everything we seem to know about nails is BACKWARDS? This is true for our belief about ridges too.<\/p>\n

Ridges<\/strong> in nails are actually the healthy<\/strong> part of the nail. It’s the concave portions that are thinner because the nail matrix isn’t working properly and at full capacity.<\/p>\n

It is actually the dips<\/strong> in the nails that are the weaker portions<\/strong>! The thicker portions (ridges) are really the healthier, stronger nail sections.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the photo below. It is a cross-section of the nail plate enlarged 150 times. The wavy top is the visible top surface of your nail. The bottom is the part that sits on your nail bed. It is also the same part that becomes the underside of your nail tip as it grows past your fingertip.<\/p>\n

The higher portion is what we consider a “ridge”. The “groove” in between each ridge is typically 5% to 7% thinner than the rest of the healthy nail.<\/p>\n

\"Ridges<\/a>

Photo courtesy of Doug Schoon, ‘Inside Doug Schoon’s Brain’ DVD<\/p><\/div>\n

See that big crack to the right of the yellow arrow? We’ll zoom in on that crack in the next photo.<\/p>\n

Since the grooves are thinner, they have a higher tendency to crack, like the photo below. As this crack becomes worse, the layers will start to peel away, causing your nail plate to be even thinner. This can lead to those crazy\u00a0splitting\u00a0nails that are so hard to deal with.<\/p>\n

\"www.NailCareHQ.com<\/a>

Photo courtesy of Doug Schoon, ‘Inside Doug Schoon’s Brain’ DVD<\/p><\/div>\n

The Aging Process<\/h2>\n

This explains why ridges seem to get more pronounced with age. As we age, our digestive system does not function at the level of a young person.<\/p>\n

We don’t absorb as many of the required vitamins and minerals for nail production. Therefore, the ridges appear more pronounced, when it’s\u00a0actually<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0thinner, grooved areas<\/strong> becoming more deeper and more\u00a0pronounced<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Should You File Ridges in Nails?<\/h2>\n

You probably know the answer by now.\u00a0If we file down the ridges to match the rest of the nail plate, we’re actually thinning<\/strong> our nail plate to match the thinnest, weakest<\/strong> portions of the nail!<\/p>\n

Ms. Monroe’s Flawed Advice<\/h2>\n

Now I\u2019ll get back to Ms. Monroe\u2019s advice. Obviously buffing and sanding is a bad idea. But what about the opaque polish?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s my understanding and experience that nail polish seems to be formulated to create a thin, even coating over the entire nail. It is going to create a nice, thin layer over the ridges and the dips.<\/p>\n

When I see older women with polish over their ridged nails, the polish seems to make the ridges more obvious. Opaque polish is not a great idea either.<\/p>\n

The Solution<\/h2>\n

The moral of the story is… you really should just ROCK YOUR RIDGES!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Along with Doug Schoon, my recommendation is to use a high-quality ridge filling base coat <\/strong>like OPI Ridge Filler<\/a> or Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat<\/a>\u00a0to fill in the grooved areas and smooth out the surface of your nail before applying your color lacquer.<\/p>\n

Rather than creating one thin layer like polish, ridge filling base coats are full of micro-particle<\/strong> ingredients that settle into the concave portions<\/strong> of your nail.<\/p>\n

Using a ridge filling base coat will solve three problems for you.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Reducing staining<\/li>\n
  2. Creating a surface that polish loves. (Base coats are formulated to bond to the natural nail plate. Polish is formulated to bond to base coat, not the nail.)<\/li>\n
  3. Smoothing the nail surface<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Hydration is Helpful!<\/h2>\n

    If you’re looking to improve the overall health and flexibility of your nails, consider taking our 30 Day Challenge<\/a>! Make sure you pick up a Mega Hydration Kit<\/a>, and get ready to get your GLOW ON<\/a>!<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column]
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    \n[\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Ridges in Nails\u2014ASK ANA ASK ANA Hi Ana, I am starting to get deeper ridges on my nails and I don\u2019t like the way it looks. Is it ok to buff them down so my nails are smooth? Some people say yes, some say don\u2019t do it. I don\u2019t know who to believe. ~Jessica ANSWER […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3299,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

    Ridges in Nails\u2014ASK ANA<\/p>\n\"www.nailcarehq.com\n

    ASK ANA<\/h2>\n
    Hi Ana, I am starting to get deeper ridges on my nails and I don\u2019t like the way it looks. Is it ok to buff them down so my nails are smooth? Some people say yes, some say don\u2019t do it. I don\u2019t know who to believe. ~Jessica<\/blockquote>\n

    ANSWER\"Ridges<\/a><\/h2>\nI\u2019ve got ridges too and I don\u2019t like them either.\n\nAnd you know, it\u2019s pretty tough to find the truth, especially when Oprah\u2019s<\/strong> very own beauty director<\/strong>, Val Monroe, recommends incorrect advice<\/strong>.\u00a0She endorses buffing your nails smooth or covering ridges with an opaque (solid) polish.\u201d [source: Oprah.com<\/a>]\n\nBoth of these are terrible ideas! <\/b>\n\nI\u2019ll explain why.\n

    The Truth About Ridges in Nails<\/h2>\nI recently finished watching the\u00a03D DVD \"Inside Doug Schoon's Brain<\/em>.\"<\/a>\u00a0 Mr. Schoon's book, Nail Structure and Product Chemistry<\/em> is my 'Nail Bible'. I can not tell you how exciting it was to me to finally find out \"WHY<\/strong>\" we should NOT<\/strong> file down ridges! *geeky girl glee.*\n\nIn this DVD, Mr. Schoon explains what's happening with ridges by using an electron microscope photo enlarged 150 times.\n\nYou know how I say almost everything we seem to know about nails is BACKWARDS? This is true for our belief about ridges too.\n\nRidges<\/strong> in nails are actually the healthy<\/strong> part of the nail. It's the concave portions that are thinner because the nail matrix isn't working properly and at full capacity.\n\nIt is actually the dips<\/strong> in the nails that are the weaker portions<\/strong>! The thicker portions (ridges) are really the healthier, stronger nail sections.\n\nTake a look at the photo below. It is a cross-section of the nail plate enlarged 150 times. The wavy top is the visible top surface of your nail. The bottom is the part that sits on your nail bed. It is also the same part that becomes the underside of your nail tip as it grows past your fingertip.\n\nThe higher portion is what we consider a \"ridge\". The \"groove\" in between each ridge is typically 5% to 7% thinner than the rest of the healthy nail.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_3285\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]\"Ridges<\/a> Photo courtesy of Doug Schoon, 'Inside Doug Schoon's Brain' DVD[\/caption]\n\nSee that big crack to the right of the yellow arrow? We'll zoom in on that crack in the next photo.\n\nSince the grooves are thinner, they have a higher tendency to crack, like the photo below. As this crack becomes worse, the layers will start to peel away, causing your nail plate to be even thinner. This can lead to those crazy\u00a0splitting\u00a0nails that are so hard to deal with.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_3284\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]\"www.NailCareHQ.com<\/a> Photo courtesy of Doug Schoon, 'Inside Doug Schoon's Brain' DVD[\/caption]\n

    The Aging Process<\/h2>\nThis explains why ridges seem to get more pronounced with age. As we age, our digestive system does not function at the level of a young person.\n\nWe don't absorb as many of the required vitamins and minerals for nail production. Therefore, the ridges appear more pronounced, when it's\u00a0actually<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0thinner, grooved areas<\/strong> becoming more deeper and more\u00a0pronounced<\/strong>.\n

    Should You File Ridges in Nails?<\/h2>\nYou probably know the answer by now.\u00a0If we file down the ridges to match the rest of the nail plate, we're actually thinning<\/strong> our nail plate to match the thinnest, weakest<\/strong> portions of the nail!\n

    Ms. Monroe's Flawed Advice<\/h2>\nNow I\u2019ll get back to Ms. Monroe\u2019s advice. Obviously buffing and sanding is a bad idea. But what about the opaque polish?\n\nIt\u2019s my understanding and experience that nail polish seems to be formulated to create a thin, even coating over the entire nail. It is going to create a nice, thin layer over the ridges and the dips.\n\nWhen I see older women with polish over their ridged nails, the polish seems to make the ridges more obvious. Opaque polish is not a great idea either.\n

    The Solution<\/h2>\nThe moral of the story is... you really should just ROCK YOUR RIDGES!\n\n\"\"<\/a>\n\nAlong with Doug Schoon, my recommendation is to use a high-quality ridge filling base coat <\/strong>like OPI Ridge Filler<\/a> or Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat<\/a>\u00a0to fill in the grooved areas and smooth out the surface of your nail before applying your color lacquer.\n\nRather than creating one thin layer like polish, ridge filling base coats are full of micro-particle<\/strong> ingredients that settle into the concave portions<\/strong> of your nail.\n\nUsing a ridge filling base coat will solve three problems for you.\n
      \n \t
    1. Reducing staining<\/li>\n \t
    2. Creating a surface that polish loves. (Base coats are formulated to bond to the natural nail plate. Polish is formulated to bond to base coat, not the nail.)<\/li>\n \t
    3. Smoothing the nail surface<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Hydration is Helpful!<\/h2>\nIf you're looking to improve the overall health and flexibility of your nails, consider taking our 30 Day Challenge<\/a>! Make sure you pick up a Mega Hydration Kit<\/a>, and get ready to get your GLOW ON<\/a>!\n\n\"\"<\/a>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,23,3,4,228,217,5],"tags":[193,231,16,45,391,44,191,234,229,230,232,222,233],"class_list":["post-92260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-ana","category-brittle-nails-nail-problems","category-nail-problems","category-peeling","category-ridge-filing-base-coat","category-ridges","category-splitting","tag-ask-ana-2","tag-bliss-kiss","tag-brittle-nails","tag-buffing-nails","tag-doug-schoon","tag-filing-nails","tag-nails","tag-oprah","tag-ridges-2","tag-ridges-in-nails","tag-sanding-nails","tag-simply-smooth","tag-stop-ridges"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92260"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92260\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nailcareheadquarters.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}