Abstract: A mild, alkaline permanent wave reducing composition and method of permanently waving or reshaping human hair that provides a strong, long lasting curl like an alkaline permanent wave composition but leaves the hair soft like an acid permanent wave composition and leaves essentially no post-perm odor. The composition contains about 2.0% to about 6.5% by weight of a cysteine reducing agent compound selected from the group consisting of cysteine, a cysteine salt, and mixtures thereof; about 4.5% to about 8.0% of a thioglycolate; and sufficient additional alkali, if necessary, to bring the pH of the composition within the rang of about 7.5 to about 9.5.

Abstract: A single formula, mild, alkaline permanent wave conditioning composition provides a strong, long lasting curl like an alkaline permanent wave composition but leaves the hair soft like an acid permanent wave composition while minimizing further damage to already damaged hair. The composition contains a water-soluble alkali salt of thioglycolic acid, such as ammonium thioglycolate in an amount of about 2% to about 22% by weight; a water-soluble alkaline dithiodiglycolate, such as diammonium dithiodiglycolate in an amount of about 0.1% to about 18% by weight; a hair softening and/or moisturizing agent, such as glycerine in an amount of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight; and sufficient additional alkali, if necessary, to bring the pH of the composition to about 7.5 to 8.7. This composition is easy to use and apply without damaging the hair while providing a strong, tight curl and leaving the hair unexpectedly soft. The composition can be lotion or water wrapped and can be used with or without heat.