What causes the Ridges?
As we get older the supply of our bodies naturally produced oils and moisture slows down. In your youth this lubrication keeps everything bouncy and fresh, moisturised and plump but so not in later life where natural moisture is in short supply.
Ridges are your nails' way of telling you they need more moisture top ups and some TLC from you.
Ridged nails can also suggest that your diet is lacking in Iron.
Trauma at the nail bed can also cause nails to develop ridges. Which could be illness, a shock to the system or a physical knock, this will usually grow our in time.
Health problems can also show up in the nails and if you have distinct long term problems you should go to your GP to rule out any underlying problems. In fact if you consult a practioner of Chinese Medicine he/she will always look and take note of your nails before diagnosis.