Your nails can tell small stories about your habits. While not every change is serious, peeling, ridges and discolouration sometimes point to things you can improve in your routine.
Peeling or splitting nails often come from repeated wetting and drying – think frequent dishwashing, cleaning or handwashing without moisturising afterwards. Using nails as tools to open cans or scratch stickers also weakens them. Keeping nails trimmed to a practical length, wearing gloves for wet work and applying hand cream (including over nails and cuticles) can help.
Vertical ridges (from base to tip) tend to increase with age and are usually harmless. Sudden, deep ridges, dents or pits can sometimes reflect underlying skin or health conditions and are worth checking if they appear out of nowhere.
Yellow or brownish discolouration may come from heavy polish use without breaks, smoking, or fungal infections. Letting nails breathe between polish applications and using a base coat can reduce staining. Persistent thickening, crumbling or discoloured nails need a doctor’s opinion rather than endless home remedies.
Healthy nails don’t need constant salon treatments; they mainly need protection from abuse and a bit of consistent care.