Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber elasticity conserving hair relaxer composition having an alkalinity of at least pH 12 comprising a fiber elasticity conserving amount of at least one hair fiber elasticity conserving agent selected from the group consisting of poly-organosiloxanes containing, per molecule, at least one siloxyl unit substituted with at least one group having one or more of a sterically hindered piperidinyl functional group. The composition substantially ameliorates the loss of hair fiber elasticity that frequently occurs during the hair relaxing step of a process for relaxing the natural curl of hair under such strongly alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber elasticity conserving hair relaxer composition having an alkalinity of at least pH 12 comprising a fiber elasticity conserving amount of at least one hair fiber elasticity conserving agent selected from the group consisting of poly-organosiloxanes containing, per molecule, at least one siloxyl unit substituted with at least one group having one or more of a sterically hindered piperidinyl functional group. The composition substantially ameliorates the loss of hair fiber elasticity that frequently occurs during the hair relaxing step of a process for relaxing the natural curl of hair under such strongly alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The present enhanced hair straightening system is directed to enhancing the removal of natural curl from hair having a visibly wavy to tight curly configuration using methods and compositions that provide straightened hair which retains desirable sensory tactile properties and hair sheen. The present invention is particularly suited to straightening hair having a curl configuration classified as resistant to conventional hair straightening.

Abstract: A conditioning hair lightener system, compositions, method, and kit therefor, is disclosed which ameliorates the deleterious effects of chemical oxidative hair lightening on the strength and subjective properties of hair. The conditioning hair lightener system comprises a conditioning hair lightener emulsion having a pH of at least about 8 prepared from at least two separate components, (A) and (B). Component (A) preferably is a substantially anhydrous, substantially free-flowing composition comprising an effective hair conditioning amount of a water-dispersible, self-emulsifying, fatty acid-derived conditioner, an effective hair lightening amount of a peroxy salt compound, optionally an effective hair protective amount of hair protectant, deswelling agent, and optionally, a water-soluble cosmetic adjuvant. Component (B) preferably is an aqueous medium containing hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide source.

Abstract: This invention describes a hair relaxer system and method that ameliorates and inhibits the adsorption and retention by alkaline, chemically-relaxed hair of exogenous multivalent metal ion present in the chemical relaxer, in the rinse water or both employed during the process of relaxing naturally curly hair with compositions containing strong chemical base. In a preferred relaxer method aspect, the alkaline, chemically relaxed hair was contacted with an aqueous metal ion chelating composition containing at least one multivalent metal ion chelating agent employing a disclosed delivery system adapted for practical salon use. In another preferred relaxer method embodiment, wipes impregnated with multivalent metal ion chelating composition were employed during the relaxer process.

Abstract: This invention describes a hair relaxer system and method that ameliorates and inhibits the adsorption and retention by alkaline, chemically-relaxed hair of exogenous multivalent metal ion present in the chemical relaxer, in the rinse water or both employed during the process of relaxing naturally curly hair with compositions containing strong chemical base. In a preferred relaxer method aspect, the alkaline, chemically relaxed hair was contacted with an aqueous metal ion chelating composition containing at least one multivalent metal ion chelating agent employing a disclosed delivery system adapted for practical salon use. In another preferred relaxer method embodiment, wipes impregnated with multivalent metal ion chelating composition were employed during the relaxer process.

Abstract: A hair brightening process and aqueous hair brightening compositions therefor are disclosed effective for removing discolorations from hair which is undesirably discolored due to chemical processes and environmental exposure or natural aging to provide a substantially more natural tone. The hair brightening compositions of the invention comprise certain hair brightening activating salts and organic colorants as active brightening ingredients which surprisingly remove discoloration without imparting an unnatural tone to the hair. The inventive hair brightening compositions provide a significant improvement over conventional prior-art hydrogen peroxide-based hair brightening compositions in effectiveness, are less damaging to the hair, and more varied in their useful product forms. The invention is also directed to compositions and methods for alkali relaxing and brightening hair, especially naturally gray hair, and single-use kits comprising the inventive hair brightener compositions.

Abstract: A composition for treating hair includes at least one of the following:a) a cationic polymer made from the reaction of secondary amines and epihalohydrin and further cross-linked with the addition of a small amount of ethylene diamine;b) dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and one of a precomponent of an active hair relaxing ingredient, guanidine hydroxide or a shampoo base;c) polyquaternium 10 and at least one of an active hair relaxing ingredient and an active hair relaxing ingredient; andd) polyquaternium 32 and mineral oil.A method of using at least one of a cationic polymer, dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, polyquaternium 10 or polyquaternium 32 includes the steps of applying one of the above to hair that is in risk of damage from a cosmetic procedure and exposing the hair to a cosmetic procedure.

Abstract: A method for protecting previously chemically processed hair fibers from damage during subsequent chemical processing comprising the steps of: (a) applying to the previously processed hair fibers a protectorant composition comprising (i) a sugar; a starch hydrolysate, sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, or a polyol, and (ii) and at least one cationic or non-ionic polar polymer; and thereafter, (b) processing the hair fibers with the same chemical process previously used; and thereafter (c) rinsing the hair for a time sufficient to remove all chemicals from the hair. Also claimed is a composition for protecting previously chemically treated hair and a kit for processing previously processed hair using the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A method of strengthening hair in need of strengthening includes the steps of applying a hair swelling component to the hair and applying a cationic polymer that is the reaction product of a lower dialkylamine (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3), a difunctional epoxy-type reactant and a third reactant selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary amines, alkylene diamines having two to six carbon atoms and polyamines to the hair.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for relaxing hair fibers that comprises applying to the hair fibers a lanthionizing composition that comprises a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate and/or a sugar. The present invention also provides a lanthionizing composition that comprises hydrogenated starch hydrolysate and/or a sugar which decreases the amount of damage that occurs to hair fibers during the lanthionization process.

Abstract: A hair strengthening relaxing composition comprising a cationic polyquaternary polymer that is the product of a condensation reaction of a lower dialkylamine (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3), a difunctional epoxy compound and a third reactant selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary amines, alkylene diamines having two to six carbon atoms, and polyamines; and a high-alkalinity hair relaxing agent.

Abstract: A process for relaxing hair in which the hair fibers undergo minimal swelling is provided, using a composition that decreases the swelling of hair fibers. Use of the composition or process decreases hair fiber swelling during the relaxing process, thereby decreasing structural damage to the hair while increasing hair fiber strength.

Abstract: An improved hair straightening system based upon a pre-shampoo normalizer is disclosed. The improved system provides for rinsing the hair after the straightening composition has been applied to the hair for a sufficiently long period of time and then applying the pre-shampoo normalizer to the hair before the shampoo step. The pre-shampoo normalizer preferably includes between about 0.25 and about 10% by weight of a medium molecular weight cationic polymer, between about 2 and about 20% by weight of a hydrolyzed animal protein having a molecular weight of between about 200 and about 15,000 and less than about 10% by weight of a surface active agent. The pre-shampoo normalizer should also be adjusted to a pH of between about 2.5 and about 7 by using a conventional acid composition.

Abstract: A hair softening method and compositions for hair treatment which require the use of an essential softening agent as obtained substantially as recommended in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,904 by the polymerization of an epihalohydrin and an alkylene polyamine of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene of about 2 to 6 carbon atoms and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each lower alkyl of about 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the resulting polymer being crosslinked by at least a minor proportion of the epihalohydrin used in the polymer.

Abstract: An emulsified composition is disclosed which is stable on aging and convertible to a hair relaxer composition by admixture with an aqueous solution of guanidine carbonate. The relaxer composition is comprised of a continuous water phase having dispersed therein about 3 to about 50 weight percent oleaginous material, about 7 to about 25 weight percent emulsifier and about 2 to about 30 weight percent of a lipophilic organically modified hectorite clay gellant. These compositions may be prepared by mixing and heating the oleaginous material, lipophilic hectorite gellant and less water soluble emulsifiers to about 80.degree. C. to form the oil phase which contains no more than about 65 weight percent of the composition. Water, calcium hydroxide and emulsifiers of high water solubility are mixed and heated to form the bulk of the aqueous phase, and then added to the oil phase. After continued agitation and maintenance of about 80.degree. C., the composition is cooled to about 50.degree. C. and perfume is added.

Abstract: A no-base hair relaxer composition stable on aging for use under highly alkaline conditions is disclosed. The relaxer composition is comprised of a continuous water phase having dispersed therein about 3 to about 50 weight percent oleaginous material, about 7 to about 25 weight percent emulsifier and about 2 to about 30 weight percent of a lipophilic organically modified hectorite clay gellant. These compositions may be prepared by mixing and heating the oleaginous material, lipophilic hectorite gellant and less water soluble emulsifiers to about 80.degree. C. to form the oil phase which contains no more than about 65 weight percent of the composition. Water and emulsifiers of high water solubility are mixed and heated to form the bulk of the aqueous phase, and then added to the oil phase. After continued agitation and maintenance of about 80.degree. C., the composition is cooled to about 50.degree. C. and sodium hydroxide and diluting water are added. The mixture is mixed further, force cooled about 25.

Abstract: Shampoo compositions for human hair having low eye irritancy and conditioning properties are prepared. These compositions are comprised of water having dispersed therein a complex consisting essentially of a water-soluble cationic cellulose ether derivative and an amphoteric surfactant. The complex is dispersed by a mixture of nonionic surfactants consisting essentially of a fatty acid N,N-diethanolamide and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester. The shampoo compositions are prepared by first dissolving the cationic cellulose ether derivative, admixing the amphoteric surfactant which forms the complex, admixing the nonionic surfactants which disperse the complex and then heating the admixture to assist dispersion of the ingredients.