Marti

Actually, there IS something you can do about it. What you are seeing is an abnormally raised 'ridge' that is part of the rail and groove upon which the nail plate rides forward - much like a train rides forward on its tracks. Sometimes, one of these 'rails' becomes enlarged and pushes ******d on the nail plate. The nail plate will become thinner in that portion of the nail plate because the matrix does not produce enough nail plate cells on that portion to allow the nail to remain its usual thickness. This can sometimes be helped by twice daily applications of a good quality nail and cuticle oil that contains certain essential oils. You can purchase Solar Oil through fine nail salons or Ulta Cosmetic Outlets or Botanical Oil through Sally Beauty Supply nationwide. Bothe of these oils contain Jojoba Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Sweet Almond Oil (or Passion Flower Oil) and Vitamin E oils. Jojoba oil will penetrate the nail plate layers, and draw the other conditioning, moisturizing and healing oils in after it. This can help to prevent the nail palte splitting associated with this condition.

The other alternative is to have a silk wrap overlay applied to the nail. You can also do this for yourself at a minimal cost without having to use the silk or fiberglass. The supplies you need can all be purchased at Sally Beauty Supply and are: ibd Brush on Gel Resin, Hurry Up Nail Glue Dryer, a white block buffer or a buffer with a 240 grit, and a small bottle of acetone. Remove the shine from the nail with the buffer. Cleanse and dehydrate the nail with a lint free wipe saturated with acetone. Allow the acetone to evaporate. Brush on a thin coating of the ibd gel resin and then spray with the nail glue dryer - hold the can at least 12" away from the nail when spraying. Apply a second coating, spray to cure the resin, and buff to smooth with the buffer. Apply a base coat, then your polish.