Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating hair damage. The method comprises specifically labeling the carbonyl group of an oxidized protein in hair with fluorescence and detecting the fluorescence. The damage can be caused by any of perm treatment, bleach treatment, treatment with an oxidation hairdye, combing, heat treatment, exposure to ultraviolet rays, and exposure to hypochlorous acid in swimming pools, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An improved, highly effective permanent waving lotion is attained by employing a reducing agent which consists of a lower alkyl ester of cysteine in combination with a thiol compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts and glyceryl esters of thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid and thiopropionic acid. By employing the reducing agent of this invention, the pH level at which the permanent wave is performed can be substantially reduced, thereby improving comfort and reducing adverse reactions. The reducing agent of this invention is employed either as an aqueous solution of the two components or in association with desired additives for imparting additional benefits to the permanently waved hair. Preferably, the reducing agents of the present invention are employed in a permanent waving lotion having a pH ranging between about 5.0 and 9.5.

Abstract: A highly effective permanent waving lotion is attained by employing one compound selected from the group consisting of glyceryl monothiopropionate, glyceryl thiolactate, and combinations of glyceryl monothiopropionate and glyceryl thiolactate as the sole reducing agent. In accordance with this invention, the reducing agent is employed either independently in an aqueous solution or in association with desired additives for imparting additional benefits to the permanently waved hair. Preferably, the reducing agents of the present invention are employed in a permanent waving lotion having a pH ranging between about 6.0 and 9.5. In this way, processing time is reduced and long lasting permanently waved hair is attained with substantially less malodor being produced.

Abstract: A composition for treating hair comprised of a thiol compound that is a superior hair reductant and hair cosmetic, especially in terms of waving effect, odor, hair damage, texture and safety and where the thiol compound has the formula HS--(CH2)n--NH--(CH2)-m-NH2 and the n and the m are integers from 1 to 4. The composition may include the salts of the compound. The composition is useful for a method of treating hair by applying the composition to the hair; leaving the composition on the hair for a sufficient period of time, depending on the desired effect; and then removing the composition. The invention, in particular, relates to hair reductants as well as primary agents for permanent waving, pretreatment agents for hair dyeing, cosmetics for heated hair curling, cosmetics for frizzy hair and cosmetics for human hair removing.

Abstract: An improved permanent waving lotion is attained by incorporating into an otherwise conventional composition an organic compound having at least one function position definable as an alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone in conjunction with a carbon-carbon double bond. By employing the present invention, improved curl formation is attained and the malodor typically associated with permanently waved hair is substantially eliminated. Compounds incorporating the desired alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone can be used directly, in the permanent waving lotion, or chemical precursors can be employed to produce the desired alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone when exposed to oxidation or to alkaline materials.

Abstract: An easily employed, effective and predictable hair dye composition is obtained by combining aryl amines with aryl aldehydes along with an inorganic metal salt having a valence between +1 and +3. By employing this formulation, a permanent, long-lasting, non-fading hair coloring is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the inorganic metal salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, lithium bromide, manganese chloride, copper chloride, and manganese nitrate. In carrying out the teaching of the present invention, the aryl amine and aryl aldehyde may be applied to the hair separately or in combination, along with the inorganic metal salt. In addition, this inorganic metal salt can be applied after the application and removal of the aryl amine and aryl aldehyde.

Abstract: A neutralizer for cold waving comprising: (i) an oxidizing agent and (ii) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds having the general formula (I) to (XII), as follows. ##STR1## wherein --R.sub.1 and --R.sub.2 are independently --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OH, --CH.sub.2 Cl, --CH.sub.2 Br, --CH.sub.2 I, ##STR2## --CH.sub.2 COOR.sub.6, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOR.sub.6, --CH.sub.2 COR.sub.6, --COR.sub.6, ##STR3## --R.sub.3, --R.sub.4, and --R.sub.5 are independently --H, --COR.sub.6, --COOR.sub.6, --Cl, --Br, --I, --NO.sub.2, --OCH.sub.3, --OH, and --COOH;--R.sub.6 is hydrogen atom, or an alkyl or alkenyl group having up to 3 carbon atoms;--R.sub.7 is --H, --OH, or --CH.sub.3 ; and--R.sub.8 is --H, --COCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, --COCH.dbd.C(CH.sub.3).sub.2, --COCH.sub.3, ##STR4## This neutralizer generates no substantial mercaptan or other unpleasant odor when applied to the hair and forms an elastic and shiny permanent wave.

Abstract: A waving lotion for cold waving comprising:(i) a mercapto compound and (ii) an aqueous mixture obtained by heating (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds having the general formulae (I) to (XX), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an electron attractive group, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, a hydroxyl group, or a methyl group and (b) at least one cyclodextrin selected from the group consisting of .alpha., .beta., .gamma., and .delta.-cyclodextrins in an aqueous phase at a mole ratio of (a):(b)=1:9-1:1 at a temperature of 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.This waving lotion has no substantial mercaptan odor and generates no substantial or less of a mercaptan odor when applied to the hair.

Abstract: An aqueous waving lotion for cold waving comprising:(i) a mercapto compound, (ii) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds having the general formulae (I) to (XX), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or an electron attractive group, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, a hydroxyl group, or a methyl group, and (iii) a cyclodextrin.This aqueous waving lotion has no substantial mercaptan odor and generates no substantial or less of a mercaptan odor when applied to the hair.