Abstract: A neutralizer for permanently waving hair containing water, an oxidant and about 0.05 to about 5 weight percent of a hydrolyzed animal protein derivative having quaternary nitrogen groups bonded to the protein amino groups, and a pH value of about 2 to 11. The hydrolyzed animal protein derivative has an isoionic point of at least 9.0 and a viscosity at 10 weight percent solids in water at 25.degree. C. of about 5 to about 40 centipoises.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in the method of treating hair in which water wet hair is wrapped around rollers, a mercaptan-containing solution is applied to the hair on the rollers, and the mercaptan-wetted hair is thereafter neutralized with an oxidizing agent. This improvement comprises wetting the hair prior to wrapping it with an aqueous solution of a prewrap agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium sulfites and alkali metal and ammonium bisulfites. These prewrap agents are present at about 0.1 to about 1.0 Molar, at a pH of about 6.5 to about 7.5 and cleave no more than about 5 percent of the hair disulfide bonds before the mercaptan-containing solution is applied.

Abstract: An improved hair treating composition for waving and straightening hair is provided. The novel composition comprises from about 0.5 to about 15 percent by weight of a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of ammonium and sodium sulfites and bisulfites and from about 0.1 to about 5.0 percent by weight of a quaternary ammonium salt of a mink oil fatty acid and has a pH between 6.5 and 6.9.