Often we suffer from a common problem of splitting and breaking nails with ridges. We always look at those models flaunting their beautiful and well groomed nails in all those nail polish advertisements and wish if we can ever have such nails. There are many reasons that lead to splitting and breaking of our nails. Everything depends on how we treat them. On what we are eating. If you can add eggs and whole grains to you diet, then you can help your nails to grow healthy and beautiful. The natural oil from our hands is taken away by the usage of soaps and detergents in our day to day work. Brittle's and dryness are the two enemies that take over then. What you need to do is to get a manicure done regularly. You can take the assistance of a professional or do it at home. But remember after a manicure take care of the filing. File them only in one direction to avoid rough nail tips. Application of jojoba oil or olive oil or vitamin E regularly will also keep your nails healthy. Now polish them and see the difference.

Absolutely, you can improve your nails "from within" by eating the right types of food / taking the necessary vitamins. You can also nourish them with special lotions and strengtening nail polishes.

Olive oil really helps your nails, i put it on my nails without fail everyday at night, and you will find a difference within a month.
Simply get tiny drop of oil and massage it into your nails, it will nourish them, give them strength and make them look good.

I think external treatment is not more effective. You have to take right kind of food rich in calcium and magnesium.

I have a vertical split in my ring finger, and now one is developing on another finger. I have to keep the nails really short or else the split catches on things. I'm 55 and I wonder this this is thyroid related.

I have a vertical split too. Mine's in my left index finger. I've had it for about 20 years and i can't get rid of it. I don't have a thyroid problem. In fact I'm quite healthy. I eat right and take supplements. Can't figure out what caused this vertical split. I have to keep my nail short too. Even if I have regular professional manicures and buff my nails (which I don't do very often anymore), that split keeps coming back. Anyone have any ideas on this?

eating right food is very important to keep them healthy n shiney

This is a very common problem to every women. Split and cracks in nail shows your nail are very weak. One basic solution is try to avoid in contact with water which actually dry your nails. Use gloves whenever you do household work.

I agrees with you Shama, I also use olive oil on my nails daily without fail, it makes my nails smooth, strong and beautiful.

I agree, water really ruins the nails and dries the hands as well. Gloves help quite a lot, but sometimes it is hard to do everything when you're wearing them. I think the combination of gloves and using some vitamin E or olive oil afterwords would keep the nails healthy and long.

I think you should eat well. Before my nails are so fluffy which breaks so easily when bitten or crashed into something hard. I had a hard time growing them but now it has grown strong no more nail breakage for me.

I have that problem. I have tried using nail strengthener to harden my nail. Now somewhat good. I will use regularly to strengthen my nails further.