Abstract: A device for use in hair treatment comprises a tube (10) having a wall constructed of elements (11, 12) extending in a direction inclined to the length of the tube, or a wall constructed of interwoven fibres (11, 12). As a result of its construction when the tube is contracted from an elongate state to a contracted state, the transverse dimension of the tube increases to permit insertion of a tress of hair through the tube. After insertion of the hair through the tube, the tube is extended which causes the transverse dimension to decrease and compress together the hairs of the tress. The tube is then manipulated into a desired form to thereby impart a required form to the tress of hair. The tube may be performed in the desired form and after insertion of the tress of hair is permitted to revert to the desired form. Restraints (521, 522) may be applied to the tube and hair contained therein and then the tube between the restraints is contracted lengthwise to cause the transverse dimension thereof to increase.

Abstract: A method of treating a tress of hair including waving of the tress of hair includes the steps of inserting the tress of hair with a required formation into a hollow device and then while retained in hollow device the tress of hair is treated with a chemical substance. Preferably for convenience of use the hollow device comprises an extendible tube (12, 60). One end of the tube is secured to the root end of a tress of hair and the tube is extended lengthwise. The tube is then returned to its unextended state while ensuring that the tress of hair is retained within the tube. Preferably the device comprises a base element (10, 50) secured to one end of the tube, an upper element (11, 51) secured to a second end of the tube and a body member (13, 52) located intermediate the upper element and the base element to locate the upper element relative to the base element and to provide a housing for the extendible tube (12, 60).

Abstract: A device for waving a tress of hair comprises a length of extendible tube formed of elastic material. The tube is provided at each end with gripping means to secure the ends of the tube to the tress of hair. A method of waving a tress of hair comprises the steps of inserting the tress of hair (14) into the elastic tube (11), securing one end of the tube to the tress of hair, extending the tube lengthwise and securing the opposite end thereof to the tress of hair. When the elastic tube is released, the tress of hair contained therein is caused to assume a sinuous waved form. The tress of hair is treated with a chemical substance either prior to insertion in the tube or when in the tube to cause the tress of hair to retain its waved form.