Customer Reviews

Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener 0.47 oz

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

After a spell with artificial nails (which, naturally, includes an exhausted rejection of their maintainance, sanitation and cost!), my nails were roughed up quite a bit: paper thin, peely and ridged/pocked. This product certainly does what it claims, and in a matter of weeks with one night spent surface buffing and enjoying 'True Confessions of a Shopaholic' (it was *so* a girls' night), my nails have transformed. It's important to understand, however, how the active chemicals in nail hardeners work, and this should affect how you put them to use. Quimica is a Colombian-made formaldehyde or formalin based hardener, while other products are said to have protein or nylon bases. The formaldehyde/formalin tincture means that the active chemicals are very strong and effective and therefore should be used with caution and patience -- the latter of which is hard to have when you've just ripped off a set of acrylics and sworn them off for good!

With very thin nails at the onset, my double-coating on the first go was entirely too much and my nails were *almost* unbearably burny the entire evening (therefore affecting my proper enjoyment of a few Guinness and a game of pool at the local pub), and they were even super-sensitive through the next day, particularly to temperature. Starting up a regimen, as I did, of every 4-5 days removing the old layers and reapplying another double (as well as a few days of back-to-back stripping and reapplying), I believe I used too much too soon, and some of my nails began to have opaque, whitish spots and marbly, striated growth marks of the same color.

I'm still super happy with the outcome of dramatically hard and tough nails within only weeks; however, I'd recommend the following (more patient) regimen: Start with one thin coat and reapply only one thin coat every 4 days to one week for 3 weeks or so. If you have very damaged, thin or sensitive nails, use moisturizing creams at first to build some base resilience that can weather the brawn of Quimica. From there -- that is, either moisturized, 'pre-op' nails or from a few weeks of using only one layer every business week or so -- you can decide whether a back-to-back booster of stripping and reapplying the next day would be safe or warranted. Because it feels like the active chemicals are doing their work on the first few days of application, a fast strip-and-reapply turnaround like that seems to give the fastest results. In my case, I think the nail bed was overstimulated with the formaldehyde activity and thus overreacted in hyper-producing keratin's cross-linking fibers, which are the natural structures of nail strengthening.

I have on order a bottle of Trind nail repair, a Dutch product that has also received rave reviews and contains formaldehyde among these other ingredients: Maximum 75% organic solvents:mixture of ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol,n-butyl alcohol,toluene,Maximum 30% non-volatile addtile additives, film-forming components(e.g.nitrocellulose), softeners (e.g dibutyl phthalate), Polymer resins, thixotropic agents( e.g. stearalkonium hectorite), maximum 2,5% formaldehyde, maximum 5% UV filters,camphor,titanium dioxide. I'll update this review after that experiment with Trind! Below are some more technical descriptions of formaldehyde strengtheners that I found to be quite informative in developing my own nail care regimen. Best!
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Here's a good explanation on how formaldehyde works on nail keratin, and also, interestingly, they say it is the only active ingredient that works 'at the chemical level' to improve nail strength (other 'hardeners,' like gelatin, don't work at the chemical level to restructure the nail's makeup but rather work as a surface protectant, just like simple nail polish works to coat and protect the nail):
Formaldehyde works with the keratin in the nail. Keratin is the protein that makes up the nail plate. Formaldehyde reacts with the keratin and causes the strands, which are already cross linked together, to create more cross links, hardening the nail. Although more cross-links mean a harder nail, too many links cause nails to become dry and brittle. This is why nails become worse when formaldehyde is over used. The nail can even become so brittle that it will lift off from the nail bed completely. Because of this scientists are working to create new ingredients that work like formaldehyde, but do not cause excessive the cross-linking that leaded to brittle nails. A balance between the hardness of many cross-links and the flexibility of the natural nail is the perfect toughness desired in a nail.
[...]

Another website gives the following advice on using both hardeners and moisturizers to achieve the ideal strength and flexibility for your nails:
Contrary to popular belief, the nails should not only be hardened, but moisturized as well. This is so they will remain flexible. This is the main reason why many nail-growth programs fail. The individual will only harden the nails. The idea is to achieve a balance. If the nail is too hard, when slammed accidentally onto a hard surface, it will snap because it lacks flexibility. It will also not look its best because it will be too dry. Conversely, ifthe nail is too soft, it may rip very easily because it lacks resistance. The moral is that if you want to grow long nails, you should incorporate both nail strengtheners (hardeners) and nails moisturizers (conditioners) into your nail-care regimen to encourage optimum growth.

Here's their bit on formaldehyde strengtheners:
If your nails are in sorry shape and you are not prone to allergies, try a formaldehyde strengthener. These actually cross-link the nail keratin fibers to increase strength and resistance to damage, so that you can grow long nails. Formaldehyde, however, is known to cause severe reactions in certain individuals, such as bluish discolorations ofthe nail, painful scarring and cracking of the nail and cuticle, and severe bleeding in the nail bed. Due to the high risk, the Food and Drug Administration will not allow nail formulations with more than 5% formaldehyde content. In other countries, however, this is not the rule, so it is a bad idea to buy nailproducts from outside the U.S.A. If you are not prone to allergies , these formulations may be safe for you to use, and are the strongest nail strengtheners available. If you notice any of the above symptoms, discontinue use immediately or your nails will end up in worse condition. Try Sall'e "10" (Salle's "10" International).
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If you really like doing your background research, check out this page on the nitty-gritty of formaldehyde strengtheners: [...]

I've been using this product for a year now. I absolutely love it!!! For years I've tried every product available to make my brittle, short nails grow with very little results. I too got this from a nail salon for about $17. It was worth it. I use it every 2 days & I can go for 1 1/2 weeks w/o changing the nail polish. My nails grow & don't break now. During the summer they grew so much I actually had to trim them down a few times. I do dishes & all sorts of things that would destroy my nails but they are in great shape. I also can do my nails at home & save a bundle on manicures. Just one thing, if your nails hurt after you put it on, you're using this stuff too much. Lay off for a few days & you'll be fine. Enjoy beautiful nails!!!!

I bought this one by the recommendation of my nail artist. She sold it to me for $20. I couldn't believe it's price. She said if you don't like it come back I will return your money. Before then I was using the Duri Rejuvacote, I thought that was the thing. However, this one makes the Duri look like crap. I was so glad when I found this online. My nails are hard, also it holds the polish for a long time, also it keeps my nails shiny and moist even after I use a strong polish remover (ladies you know what I'm talking about). It really works. I ordered 3 bottles to save on shipping. When I am done I am going to order again. It was shipped ontime!!!

I saw all the wonderful reviews of this product and ordered it. I was so excited as my nails are very weak and brittle.

I noticed that there was a warning on the bottle stating that if a burning sensation occurs after application to remove it immediately. I figured it might sting a little but I was shocked when after 20 minutes or so I began to feel pain in my ring finger on my left hand. My finger tip and nail bed started to turn red and the pain traveled to the joint. Then as I was removing the product the pain began in other fingers on both hands. The pain continued and there was a rippling under my flesh that appeared on some fingers. The pain is mostly gone now after 2 days but this was a really scary experience.

If you have just taken off Acrylic/ Gel nails and your nails are thin and tore up...JUST TEST ONE NAIL. Jack Bauer could use this product to torture people for information. After my hour of burning, I tried it on my husband and no problem at all. I then used it on my toe nails and no problem there. I have noticed it helps and will continue to use it. I gave four stars, because there is no warning about the burning and specifically if you have just removed nails. I will add an update in a few months with growth results.

I've never written a review before on Amazon but after having this product for a month and noticing the results, I just had to let everyone know how amazing this product is. My nails would always break and were very weak until now. I have wasted my money on every drug store nail strengthener and they never worked. After one week, I noticed the results and after an entire month, my nails are long and the tips are white. I should warn you that with my first few applications, my nail beds did hurt a little, but I think I applied too many coats. Other than that, this product is definitely worth the money!

A friend of mine recommended this product and i have to say it is absolutely AMAZING!
My nails were super short and after having this polish on for about a week & a 1/2 my nails grew a great amount and do not break. The polish lasts well over a week, almost for 2 and that's only running on one application ( and after doing dishes on a regular basis w/out gloves). This stuff is wonderful, i really recommend it!
I'm looking to buy more soon!

I got this because I have extremely weak nails. I've tried tons of different nail strengtheners, and none have worked. I started using this and right away I experienced the burning. I took it off, waited for the burning to stop (it took a few HOURS), then did a very very thin coat. I kept doing his, and multiple times it burned and I had to take it off. After the third or forth time it burned me, I noticed I was getting these little black areas under my nails. Tiny thin little lines or dots. When one grew out, I saw what it was...a SCAB. Whatever in this nail strengthener burns you, it's strong enough to burn through your nail and make under your nail actually bleed. My nails may be longer and a little stronger, but I threw it away when I figured out how bad it was for my nailbed. I'm trying out perfect formula now, and I really hope it works. At least it hasn't burned yet. *crosses fingers*

So I have never written a review on Amazon, but this product has made me want to share the wealth! I bought this product because a girlfriend of mine, who has beautiful nails recommended it. I just thought she had good genes because I could NEVER grow my nails. I have tried ever product out there but to no avail,my nails would chip, break and peel. I am a nurse and I wash my hands so many times a day. My nails used to be so soft and thin that if I did get them to grow even a little bit, I could bend them right in half. After trying this product, I have to say, if you have the same problem-- BUY THIS! Its incredible. All the reviews on here are so true and my nails are long and strong...they even look and feel healthy. Its insane. It took a few weeks of applying, and yes the first time I put it on, I did have a little burning but I think that is because my nails were so thin. Every time I notice how great my nails look, I keep thinking, "I need to write a review on Amazon so other people can know about this" So here I am. BUT-if ever I was going to give a testimony on anything....this would be the product. i have never been so impressed by something I've purchased on a whim. You won't be sorry!

Generally, I have strong nails; however, I've recently taken up classical guitar, which put a stain on the nails on my playing hand. As anyone who's taken up the instrument knows, this is fairly disastrous, as you're required to have reasonably long nails in order to play the instrument correctly.

After the first time my nails broke, I purchased Esmalte Endurecedor... mostly on a whim. What a fortunate surprise that it turned out to work so well.

As someone whose fingernails are not so much a fashion statement as they are tools, I highly recommend this product.