What Happened to My Nails

This is an older photo of my nails — long, strong, and naturally smooth. I never had to think about them. They just… behaved. No peeling, no cracking, no ridges. Just easy.

Fast forward to now, and it’s a completely different story. My nails are thinner, splitting, and full of ridges. What changed?

Aging plays a big role. As we get older, nails grow more slowly and lose moisture, making them brittle and more prone to peeling. Years of handwashing, gardening, and everyday wear also weaken the layers of the nail. Those vertical ridges? They’re actually very common and usually just part of the aging process.

The good news is they’re not beyond help. Moisturizing, cuticle oil, gentle filing, and wearing gloves for chores can make a big difference.

Still… I do miss the days when my nails just showed up and did their job without all the extra drama.