Abstract: A topically applied shaving composition for use by a human subject suffering from or prone to development of pseudofolliculitis barbae is disclosed. The composition comprises as its active ingredient about 0.01-5% by weight of a bacteriostatic/hemostyptic agent, and an aqueous or water-miscible solvent, a volatile silicone and a thickening agent. A method of removing hair from a hairy skin area of such a subject comprising the application of a topical shaving composition containing about 0.01-5% by weight of a bacteriostatic/hemostyptic agent prior to removal of the hair by shaving, tweezing or waxing, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved highly alkaline hair straightening emulsion and a two component system for preparing the emulsion are provided. The emulsion employs a combination of strong nitrogenous organic base and alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of an alkaline earth metal cation. Neither the amount of the alkali metal hydroxide nor the amount of organic base present in the emulsion is sufficient by itself to effectively permanently straighten naturally curly hair. Alkaline earth metal hydroxides are characteristically ineffective as permanent hair straighteners. However, surprisingly, the combination is effective for achieving permanent straightening of hair within a treatment time of not more than about 30 minutes. In use, the emulsion also substantially avoids scalp skin irritation. Also, hair discoloration and hair breakage are minimized.

Abstract: A conditioning activator for a no-lye hair relaxer and a conditioning hair relaxer system includes a conditioning agent which is a water-soluble cationic compound. In a preferred embodiment the cationic conditioning agent is a cationic polymer. Also disclosed are methods for preparing phase-stable no-lye cream bases suitable for conditioning hair relaxer systems.

Abstract: A hair relaxer and post-relaxer hair brightener system and method is disclosed which overcomes the undesirable alteration of the natural tone of hair, especially of naturally gray hair, by highly-alkaline hair-relaxing systems. The natural tone of such alkali-relaxed hair is desirably brightened, enhanced and restored in a hair brightening step by certain disclosed post-relaxer aqueous hair brightener compositions which contain an active hair brightening agent. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hair brightening agent comprises a relatively low active concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A highly alkaline, no-base hair relaxer cream composition is disclosed which is phase-stable on ageing. A composition of this invention is a highly alkaline cosmetic cream base that may be used directly as a no-base hair relaxer or as a no-lye cream that may be converted for use as a no-base, no-lye hair relaxer by admixture with an aqueous activator solution. A method for preparing such a phase-stable no-base hair relaxer cream composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of straightening, texturing and strengthening hair undergoing an alkaline straightening procedure and to nonacidic aqueous hair texturing and strengthening compositions for use in conjunction therewith. The texturing and strengthening compositions have a pH value from at least 8 to about 11 containing at least one water-dispersible hair texturing and strengthening agent including a quarternary nitrogen atom with at least one aliphatic alkyl group directly or indirectly bonded to the quarternary nitrogen atom, the aliphatic alkyl group having from about 3 to about 22 carbon atoms. Methods for applying the compositions in post-straightening and pre-straightening procedures are disclosed.

Abstract: A conditioning activator for a no-lye hair relaxer and a conditioning hair relaxer system includes a conditioning agent which is a water-soluble cationic compound. In a preferred embodiment the cationic conditioning agent is a cationic polymer. Also disclosed are methods for preparing phase-stable no-lye cream bases suitable for conditioning hair relaxer systems.

Abstract: A highly alkaline, no-base hair relaxer cream composition is disclosed which is phase-stable on ageing. A composition of this invention is a highly alkaline cosmetic cream base that may be used directly as a no-base hair relaxer or as a no-lye cream that may be converted for use as a no-base, no-lye relaxer by admixture with an aqueous activator solution. A method for preparing such a phase-stable no-base hair relaxer cream composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of straightening, texturing and strengthening hair undergoing an alkaline straightening procedure and to nonacidic aqueous hair texturing and strengthening compositions for use in conjunction therewith. The texturing and strengthening compositions have a pH value from at least 8 to about 11 containing at least one water-dispersible hair texturing and strengthening agent including a quaternary nitrogen atom with at least one aliphatic alkyl group directly or indirectly bonded to the quaternary nitrogen atom, the aliphatic alkyl group having from about 3 to about 22 carbon atoms. Methods for applying the compositions in post-straightening and pre-straightening procedures are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved no-base aqueous sodium hydroxide-based hair-straightening composition having a pH between about 12 and about 14 comprises, as an active hair-straightening agent, a mixture of sodium hydroxide and a lesser amount of a hair keratin-disulfide reducing agent having a sulfhydryl functional group available from the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine, water-soluble homologs of cysteine and certain water-soluble derivatives of cysteine. The composition augments and enhances the hair-straightening benefits of sodium hydroxide yet substantially overcomes negative hair conditioning problems normally associated with the use of sodium hydroxide. Cysteine is particularly preferred as the hair keratin-disulfide reducing agent. Also disclosed is a hair-straightening system and method for straightening hair with the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: A highly alkaline, no-base hair relaxer cream composition is disclosed which is phase-stable on ageing. A composition of this invention is a highly alkaline cosmetic cream base that may be use directly as a no-base hair relaxer or as a no-lye cream that may be converted for use as a no-base, no-lye hair relaxer by admixture with an aqueous activator solution. A method for preparing such a phase-stable no-base hair relaxer cream composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A no-base type, aqueous alkali-based hair-straightening composition having a pH between 12 and about 14 initiates and enhances the permanent hair-straightening effect. The hair-straightening composition comprises, as an active hair-straightening agent, a strong alkali, and a water-soluble hair-straightening initiating agent. The initiating agent is a mercapto (C.sub.4 -C.sub.6) dicarboxylic acid having a sulfhydryl functional group on a carbon atom alpha to one or both of the carboxy acid groups, salt thereof or derivative thereof, and is a hair keratin-disulfide reducing agent. The initiated composition particularly augments and enhances the permanent hair-straightening benefits of sodium hydroxide, yet substantially overcomes negative hair conditioning problems normally associated therewith. Thiomalic acid and 2,5-dimercaptoadipic acid are preferred initiating agents. Also disclosed is a hair-straightening system and method for straightening hair with the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: A hair relaxing system, activator and methods of use and preparation are disclosed. The system includes a first package containing a substantially water-free activator that includes a hydrolyzable organic base having a PK.sub.a value of at least about 12 present in free base form in an amount sufficient to relax hair dissolved in an organic solvent that is immiscible with petrolatum. The second package of the system contains water and may also contain oleaginous materials and emulsifiers. Admixture of the first and second packages provides a relaxer composition that has a pH value of at least 12 and contains at least about 20 weight percent water.

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: An anhydrous medicated hair and scalp conditioner comprising sulfur as a medicament, petrolatum, mineral wax, dispersant and about 1 to about 30 weight percent organically modified hectorite clay gellant is produced having a one phase appearance. The medicated hair and scalp conditioner is prepared by admixing the gellant in petrolatum heated to about 80.degree.-85.degree. C., followed by melting and admixture therein of the mineral wax at the same temperature. Sulfur is dispersed in the dispersant in a separate container and the resultant dispersion then added to the previous admixture at a temperature of about 75.degree.-80.degree. C. The resulting composition is then agitated for about 30 minutes while allowing the temperature to cool to about 70.degree. C., after which the composition is collected.

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.

Abstract: A hair conditioner composition for use under highly alkaline conditions comprising an aqueous dispersion containing from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of mineral oil, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of a fatty alcohol having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a non-ionic emulsifier, and from about 0.05 to 20 weight percent of a quaternary polymer having recurring units of the formula ##STR1## and compositions and methods for waving or straightening hair employing the above hair conditioner composition and a hair waving or straightening solution containing sufficient sodium hydroxide to provide a pH of about 12 to 13.

Abstract: An electrically heated comb for hair styling and straightening is disclosed which heats each hank of hair on two sides for quick and effective drying and styling of the hair. The comb has a row of heat conducting teeth and insulated protective teeth, all of which are connected to a heat conducting element that extends outwardly from a handle. At least portions of two heat conducting teeth are provided in the space between immediately adjacent protective teeth. Each of the two heat conducting teeth has only one exposed heating surface within the aforesaid space.