A few years ago, out of nowhere, my nails drastically changed. The healthy nails I enjoyed my entire life became filled with ridges, and even worse started lifting. I went to several dermatologists and the condition was either attributed to age or a newly developed allergic reaction to the polishes I’ve used forever. I had blood work done just to make sure something wasn’t seriously off, but nothing showed up as abnormal.
I stayed away from polish for close to a year, and still nothing changed. A bare healthy nail is beautiful, but one with ridges and spots is not. Since they were not improving without polish, I decided to test different brands to see if my nails would react. I could tell within a day and actually feel the reaction – like a tingling throb and sure enough they’d start lifting.
After several rounds of trial and error, I landed successfully on the above line up of products. Nail Tek 3 Ridge Filler preps and fills ridges, Dior Base Coat Abricot and Diorlesse Abricot both strengthen, are additional fillers and add a beautiful sheer color, followed by the Abricot Top Coat. Although it took months, using these products improved the health and appearance of my nails. I still have ridges, but they are far less dramatic.
Finally, I use Crème Abricot Nail Cream nightly as the last step in nail maintenance.
Updated:
I’m adding links to the products readers have recommended so everyone can check them out.
LESLIE B. CUTLER
I can completely relate! Thank you for this helpful lineup!
kelly Poole
Dr. Remedy nail care and polish was recommended by my dermatologist and it changed my nail health dramatically. I’ve continued to use it, they have a good color selection and I love that it’s a very clean product, to include their polish remover.
Beth
I had similar issues as I hit my fifties. IBX is another product that made a big difference for me.
Here is information from their site.
IBX is a natural nail strengthening system made to Toughen, Repair and Protect the natural nail.
IBX is HEMA Free.
What it does
IBX is the first treatment of its kind, works INSIDE the nail not on top. IBX is penetrated into the upper layers of the nail and cross-links inside the nail to itself creating an Interpenetrating Polymer Network.
Susan
I too have ridges in nails. Age and genetics. I have been using Dazzle Dry polish and my nails look good an healthy. Plus it dries in 5 minutes and is long lasting! They have a ridge filler called Transform for us with their sheer polishes.
paula c.
Agree on the age/genetic related problem hence why I rarely wear any form of nail colour. Taking biotin improved the health of my nails including the disappearance of the ridges. Once I stopped taking the biotin I found that my nails when back to zero, so I have resumed taking them again.