Abstract: Methods for preparing hair relaxer compositions which comprise a lithium salt and an alkaline earth hydroxide, wherein the lithium salt is in molar excess to the alkaline earth hydroxide. Compositions, kits containing the compositions, and methods for using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for preparing hair relaxer compositions which comprise a lithium salt and an alkaline earth hydroxide, wherein the lithium salt is in molar excess to the alkaline earth hydroxide. Compositions, kits containing the compositions, and methods for using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-component hair relaxer system comprising (a) a first component comprising a cream base containing a water-soluble salt of a relatively strong base with an anion capable of being precipitated by an alkaline earth metal ion under highly alkaline conditions, and (b) a second, separate component, which is substantially free of water, and containing an alkaline material having an alkaline earth metal ion which forms a precipitate with the anion when the first component and second component are mixed.

Abstract: An anhydrous composition comprising an anhydrous emollient and an effective amount of a water-soluble guanidine salt together with an effective amount of a water-soluble inorganic oxide. Upon the mixing of an effective amount of water with the composition, guanadine hydroxide is formed which is used to treat the hair.

Abstract: A composition for forming a second composition to treat hair, and method of treating hair, are disclosed. The first composition is based upon guanidine hydroxide in an inert organic topically acceptable liquid medium which is essentially free of water and carbon dioxide. When the composition is ready for use, water is added thereto to form an aqueous composition which is suitable for use in treating hair to cause the hair to assume a desired configuration.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for curling hair and for straightening hair are disclosed, wherein the compositions contain, as the principal active ingredient thereof, guanidine hydroxide. The guanidine hydroxide may be conveniently prepared by reacting calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate.Hair is curled by contacting the hair with the composition while the hair is on curlers, or otherwise maintained in a curled configuration. After the desired treatment time, the hair is rinsed and neutralized, with long lasting curls of the so-called "permanent wave" nature resulting.Hair may be straightened by contacting the hair with the composition and maintaining the hair in a generally straight configuration over at least a portion of the time that the hair is contacted by the composition. Thereafter the hair may be rinsed and neutralized.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for curling hair and for straightening hair are disclosed, wherein the compositions contain, as the principal active ingredient thereof, guanidine hydroxide. The guanidine hydroxide may be conveniently prepared by reacting calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate.Hair is curled by contacting the hair with the composition while the hair is on curlers, or otherwise maintained in a curled configuration. After the desired treatment time, the hair is rinsed and neutralized, with long lasting curls of the so-called "permanent wave" nature resulting.Hair may be straightened by contacting the hair with the composition and maintaining the hair in a generally straight configuration over at least a portion of the time that the hair is contacted by the composition. Thereafter the hair may be rinsed and neutralized.

Abstract: A method and composition for curling hair and for straightening hair is disclosed, wherein the method involves the application of guanidine hydroxide to the hair. The guanidine hydroxide is prepared by mixing together in an aqueous medium at least one water-soluble guanidine salt and at least one particulate, strong-base, quaternary ammonium, hydroxide-form ion-exchange resin. After the mixed components have had a chance to undergo ion exchange, to form an aqueous solution of guanidine hydroxide, the guanidine hydroxide composition is separated from the ion-exchange resin, and applied to the hair withinin 48 hours. The treatment with guanidine hydroxide causes the hair to maintain a desired configuration by conducting the treatment with the hair in the desired configuration during at least a portion of the time that the hair is in contact with the guanidine hydroxide solution.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for curling hair and for straightening hair are disclosed, wherein the compositions contain, as the principal active ingredient thereof, guanidine hydroxide. The guanidine hydroxide may be conveniently prepared by reacting calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate.Hair is curled by contacting the hair with the composition while the hair is on curlers, or otherwise maintained in a curled configuration. After the desired treatment time, the hair is rinsed and neutralized, with long lasting curls of the so-called "permanent wave" nature resulting.Hair may be straightened by contacting the hair with the composition and maintaining the hair in a generally straight configuration over at least a portion of the time that the hair is contacted by the composition. Thereafter the hair may be rinsed and neutralized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for curling hair and for straightening hair are disclosed, wherein the systems contain, as a principal active ingredients thereof, guanidine hydroxide, together with an ion exchange resin. The guanidine hydroxide is prepared by mixing together in an aqueous medium at least one water-soluble guanidine salt and at least one particulate, strong-base, quaternary ammonium, hydroxide-form ion-exchange resin. After the mixed components have had a chance to undergo ion exchange, the composition is applied to hair which is maintained in a desired configuration, and after the composition has been in contact with the hair for an effective time the composition is removed from the hair, thereby causing the hair to maintain such desired configuration.

Abstract: A stable, aqeuous depilatory composition is disclosed, wherein the composition contains, as the essential active ingredients, alkali metal silicates, alkali earth metal salts of .alpha.-and/or .beta.-mercapto carboxylic acids and thiourea.The composition is useful in removing facial hair (beard) with the hair being removed in a short period of time, for instance 4 - 7 minutes or so, depending on toughness of the beard and with minimal incidence of skin irritation in the average user.