Abstract: A method of chemically modifying the internal region of a hair shaft, comprising the steps of: providing and applying to hair a treatment composition comprising from 0.1% to 20% of an ethylenic monomer by weight of the total composition, an initiator and a dermatologically acceptable carrier; and exposing the hair to a relative humidity of at least 70%, within 1 h of applying the treatment composition, and said exposure lasting for 10 to 90 min. Said method provides improved performance, efficacy and/or efficiency.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation in gel form is described which contains undissolved, water-swollen polymer particles and at the interface with gaseous substances forms reversibly a grainy, uneven, light-scattering surface and at the interface with solids forms reversibly a smooth, level, non-light-scattering surface. Preferred gel formers are superabsorbing polymers. A preferred use is the hair-end protection in permanent wave treatment.

Abstract: A composition for permanent hair shaping comprising: (i) About 0.5% by weight to about 35% by weight of a N-alkyl-2-mercaptoacetamide of formula wherein R1 is a straight chain alkyl residue with about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms or a straight chain hydroxyalkyl with about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are hydrogen or straight chain alkyl residues with about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, or the salt thereof, (ii) about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight of at least one cationic polymer; and (iii) about 5% by weight to about 95% by weight of water; and a method of permanently shaping hair using said composition.

Abstract: A composition for permanent hair shaping comprising: (i) About 0.5% by weight to about 35% by weight of a N-alkyl-2-mercaptoacetamide of formula ?wherein R1 is a straight chain alkyl residue with about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms or a straight chain hydroxyalkyl with about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are hydrogen or straight chain alkyl residues with about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, or the salt thereof; (ii) About 0.1% by weight to about 30% by weight of at least one hair swelling and penetration enhancing substance; and (iii) About 5% by weight to about 95% by weight of water; and the method of permanently shaping hair using said composition.

Abstract: A method for shaping hair comprising the steps of: (i) folding a curling sheet consisting of or comprising a super-absorbent material around the tips of the hair strand like an end-wrap; (ii) winding the hair around the folded sheet, thereby using said sheet as a curler; (iii) fixing the curlers with a clip, a pin, or another tool appropriate for fixing the hair on a curler; (iv) applying a aqueous hair shaping composition onto the hair on the curler; (v) leaving the shaping composition to act on the hair for about 1 to about 30 minutes, whereby said sheet is swelling and produces tension on the hair wound on it; and (vi) removing the said sheet.

Abstract: Cosmetic composition for the oxidative treatment of hair or skin, prepared by mixing of at least two components, in which dehydroascorbic acid or a dehydroascorbic acid salt or a dehydroascorbic acid derivative is generated from ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid derivative and ascorbic acid salt prior to application by an enzyme that catalyzes the enzymatical oxidation of said of ascorbic acid as well as a process for carrying out the oxidative treatment of keratin, particularly for the oxidative post-treatment of reduced hair in the process of permanent deformation of hair using said composition.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation in gel form is described which contains undissolved, water-swollen polymer particles and at the interface with gaseous substances forms reversibly a grainy, uneven, light-scattering surface and at the interface with solids forms reversibly a smooth, level, non-light-scattering surface. Preferred gel formers are superabsorbing polymers. A preferred use is the hair-end protection in permanent wave treatment.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation in gel form is described which contains undissolved, water-swollen polymer particles and at the interface with gaseous substances forms reversibly a grainy, uneven, light-scattering surface and at the interface with solids forms reversibly a smooth, level, non-light-scattering surface. Preferred gel formers are superabsorbing polymers. A preferred use is the hair-end protection in permanent wave treatment.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation in gel form is described which contains undissolved, water-swollen polymer particles and at the interface with gaseous substances forms reversibly a grainy, uneven, light-scattering surface and at the interface with solids forms reversibly a smooth, level, non-light-scattering surface. Preferred gel formers are superabsorbing polymers. A preferred use is the hair-end protection in permanent wave treatment.

Abstract: The oxidative hair treatment composition is made by mixing several components immediately prior to application on the hair. One component contains dehydroascorbic acid, its derivatives or salts or their mixture, is anhydrous or contains up to 10% by weight of water, and is a powder, granulate or tablet or micro-encapsulated or a suspension and another component is an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous alcoholic preparation. In order to avoid an unpleasant mercaptan odor and provide a uniform treatment the method for permanently waving hair includes putting the hair into the desired form, treating it with a keratin-reducing agent, and then rinsing it, after which it is treated oxidatively with the above-described oxidative treatment composition and rinsed once again.