Same here, one of those cheap little blocks work fine. I've noticed vertical ridges on my nails as I'm getting older. I need to get in the habit of using my block more often especially since I keep the nails on my hands bare.

maddie & always - you don't find that those blocks make already thin nails even thinner? I use one occasionally to smooth out the ridges a bit but find it makes the tips of my nails really vulnerable. Then I end up using polish to add some strength and thickness back and it's a vicious cycle.

I use same four sided block thingy. I think it makes my nails stronger, or at least less prone to breakage. Somewhere in the back of my mind I feel like someone once told me the action of buffing stimulates blood flow to the nailbed and thereby improves nail health.

Anything you do to get the ridges out is going to wear your nail bed down some because you are basically sanding your nail bed down. I would say just do it lightly. Have you ever tried taking a supplement for your nails? I think biotin....??

If you do dishes w/o protection you will get those ridges and as onestepbehind posted, sanding ridges = sanding nail bed = really weak nails. Wear gloves and ridges will go away

local - I've heard the same thing about blood flow and it sounds plausible. Maybe I need to try the block on a more regular basis instead of once in a while.

always - the only supplement I've ever taken is the collagen and nail strength was a bonus - I was taking it for joint health but need to get back in that habit as well. Sounds like the buffing block has replaced to more old fashioned types of buffers.

Ridges can be a sign of underlining medical conditions. Have you had a check up lately?

bossy I never do dishes without gloves or any other type of cleaning/gardening and it certainly doesn't prevent the ridges for me!

ellendi in my case the ridges are hereditary, I'm afraid - my mom had them even worse than I do. And I do get regular check ups - have even asked my primary MD about the ridges and she finds no underlying issues. Guess I'm just lucky :-/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/nails/faq-20058541

I found the above. I was not aware there were vertical as well as horizontal ridges. Appears that horizontal ridges are more problematic. I was speaking of vertical ridges. Maybe it's not the same for everyone but my ridges almost disappear when I use my gloves religiously

bossy that link is to bonsai - interesting, but not nail ridges!

Have you ever been accosted at the mall by people at kiosks who want to buff your nails and make them shiny? I have. The product worked great but was very expensive so I just walked away with my one shiny nail. I googled them at home and found them for MUCH less on either amazon or ebay. Anyway, they work great. You use each side of the block in order to get nails like glass.

seacret nail buffer

I use one of those 4-sided buffers once in a while when I want my nails to look shiny. I very rarely polish my nails. Too much trouble and it doesn't last on me.

I used a nail kit that's been around for years but I found out about it at Canyon Ranch. I love, love, love how it improved my nails, but I've been sort of neglecting myself over the last few years, and my nails prove it. It has a simple name - sorry I can't remember anything these days. Thanks for this thread, DML; it's a reminder to get back to better self care.

I forgot about the mall nail people..it does make your nail shine like glass!! I'm always trying to ditch the hair straightener people at our mall.

It has a simple name - sorry I can't remember anything these days.

P Shine, by any chance? That was the best nail kit ever.

You first need to treat the problem. Get a supplement with Biotin. Next look at your habits. Too hot of water washing dishes? Too harsh of cleaners? Wear gloves and use a good cuticle oil at least twice a day.

Nails are genetic. "Buffing" absolutely thins them. Polish, fake nails etc. are all made of chemicals that are very harsh on your nails. Think drying, splitting, cracking. Nutrition and genetics are all that will truly improve your nails. Try eating a box of jello every night. It made my grand father's nails so thick and strong he couldn't cut them!!

I was polishing & a little buffing on the Impala today!

Wait....... ;-)

Funny boy, Faron!

The type of buffer I was considering is the old fashioned chamois kind. Like this

The problem I'm having is that my nails get little splits on the edges whether I cut them or file them, and then they snag on absolutely everything. Polish coats the nail and the edge so that doesn't happen but of course that only covers the problem, doesn't correct it. And polish and the remover are drying as we all know. I have the square foam buffers but find they are damaging to my nails in the long run, just thinning them out even more. It's a catch 22 but for now I'll focus on collagen and/or biotin and see if I can't get them healthier from the inside out.

I have ONE good pair of nail clippers that do NOT split my nails when I cut them. If I ever lose them, I'm going be in big trouble.