Marti

What you are seeing as vertical ridges are actually the 'rails and grooves' upon which the nail plate rides forward on the nail bed. The 'rails' are on the nail bed and act much like train tracks, whereas the 'grooves' are on the underside of the nail plate and act much like the wheels on a train. This is how the nail plate rides forward on the nail bed - much like the train rides forward on its tracks.
As we age, or if our nail plate does not contain the proper levels of oil and moisture, the 'rails and grooves' will appear on the surface of the nail plate as ridges or 'lines' that run vertically from the cuticle to the free edge.

Now, if they are running from side to side 'across' the nail plate, this is an entirely different matter and is usually the result of some sort of trauma to the matrix (where the nail plate cells are born), or is some sort of genetic malformation.

If they are indeed running from the cuticle to the free edge, this is easily changed. The nail plate is constantly being 'bathed' by an upward todal flow of oils and moisture that transmit from the nail bed, up through the layers of nail plate to the surface, and are what create the natural 'matte' shine to the nail plate surface. This same oil and moisture will keep the nail plate cells flexible so they will 'slide' across and over each other under pressure. If the oil and moisture levels are depleated or reduced for any reason or from any outside source, they can be replaced by applying a good quality nail and cuticle oil at least 3 times a day, and ALWAYS at night.

Once the nail oil penetrates all 3 layers of the nail plate, your nails should begin to look better and the lines should begin to reduce in size and depth. You will have to continue to use the nail oil for as long as you want your nails to look healthy and smooth.

I recommend either Solar Oil (available in fine nail salons or in Ulta Cosmetic outlets nationwide) or Botanical Oil (available in the nail department of Sally Beauty Supply nationwide). Both oils contain Jojoba oil, Vitamin E oil nad other essential cionditioning/moisturizing oils. Jojoba oil has the tiniest molecular structure which can penetrate the surface of the skin and the nail surface, open up the pores/cells and then draw the large molecules of the other essential oils in after it. Without the addition of Jojoba Oil, the other oils would just sit on the surface and not penetrate as deeply as needed to condition the nail plate cells and replenish the oil levels deep within the nail plate layers.

For more information on your natural nails, please visit my website [url="http://www.hooked-on-nails.com"]http://www.hooked-on-nails.com[/url] (site link approved by Moderator 1) CLick on the Nail Disorders link and look at the picure of Nail Ridging which is toward the bottom of the page. I suspect your nails may look something like this, and if so, the oil will help dramatically.