Abstract: Method for waving and straightening hair by carrying out a metallic chelate reaction in the keratin of the hair by incorporating an alkali metal or ammonium ions or an organic amine into the hair keratin protein, thereafter replacing the alkali metal or ammonium ions or organic amine by metal ions, other than alkali metal ions, said metal ions having a greater atomic weight than that of alkali metal or ammonium ions replaced, said metal ions being derived from aqueous solutions of metal salts other than alkali metals, metal chelate compounds of enzymes, proteins, peptides or amino acids and the lotions and creams as used in the aforesaid method.