Beau lines are white, sometimes ridged, lines that run horizontally across finger/toe nails that have suffered damage within the nail bed, for example due to chemotherapy.  As my nails recover and return to their old incredibly fast growth rate, I notice the Beau lines moving higher and the 'through the way' splits between layers at the finger tip end of nail.  I fear that once the lines near the top my nails may break off as the tranverse and laminar splits experience too much stress.  So it's back to nail varnish... but clear this time as it's just acting as glue.

My nails are a sight to behold!  The FEC induced discolouration means the tops are like smokers nails whilst the Docetaxel damage means the Beau lines coincide with slight flakiness.  Within a couple of months my finger nails will probably be back to normal but for my big toes, with large nails and slower growth, it could be a year.

I like the irony that these lines, named after the scientist who first observed/studied them, have a name that means beautiful.