Vertical ridges in the nail plate are caused by a dried out plate. If you work with solvents on a daily basis (including lots of water) they will wick the natural oils and moisture from the nail plate, leaving it dried out. As we age, the nail plate will naturally become drier and the results are the same.

What you are seeing are actually the 'rails and grooves' upon which the nail plate rides forward on the nail bed - much like a train rides forward on its tracks. When the plate becomes dried out for any reason, these rails and grooves become apparent on the surface of the nail plate as ridges.

To help rehydrate the nail palte, apply a good quality nail and cuticle ol such as Solar OIl or Botanical Oil twice daily. Solar oil is available at fine nail salons and in Ulta Cosmetic outlets nationwide. You may also consider a regular manicure and ask the nail tech to lightlybuff thesurface of the nail plate to reduce the extreme ridges only. Afterwards, they can buff the nails to a high shine with a 3-way buffer.