Method and chemical composition for reshaping hair

Abstract

The current invention comprises methods and compositions for straightening hair. Using embodiments of the current invention, curly hair can be effectively and safely straightened by a method that is milder and less damaging than the current art and does not employ ingredients such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde that are considered noxious and raise significant toxicological concerns. In one or more embodiments of the invention, a low concentration of sodium hydroxide (˜0.5-0.6%) is applied prior to the application of an oil (preferably a vegetable oil), followed by treatment with a flat iron, or similar, heated to ˜180-200° C. In one or more alternative embodiments of the invention, the sodium hydroxide and oil-containing compositions are combined and applied to the hair in a single step. The improvements extended by this invention beyond the current art include: reduced damage to hair; reduced potential for damage to the skin and eyes; elimination of noxious chemicals; avoidance of chemical systems that are banned in a number of countries; greater resistance to reversion; longer lasting results; and as a consequence of these considerations, potential for home (non-professional) usage.

1 . A method for straightening hair comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a pretreatment composition comprising sodium hydroxide;   obtaining a cross-linking composition comprising oil;   applying said pretreatment and cross-linking compositions to said hair;   removing excess of said compositions from said hair;   applying heat to said hair.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of applying heat to said hair comprises applying tension to said hair. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition is applied to said hair prior to applying said cross-linking composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition is applied to said hair after applying said cross-linking composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition is mixed with said cross-linking composition prior to applying said pretreatment and cross-linking compositions to said hair. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition comprises a solution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition comprises an emulsion. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition comprises a gel. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cross-linking composition comprises a solution. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cross-linking composition comprises an emulsion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cross-linking composition comprises a gel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oil comprises a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pretreatment composition comprises no more than 0.6% by weight of said sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of applying heat to said hair comprises applying heat of between 180 and 200° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of applying heat to said hair comprises applying heat of less than 190° C. 
     
     
         16 . A composition for straightening hair comprising:
 sodium hydroxide, said sodium hydroxide comprising no more than about 1.0 by weight of said composition;   oil.   
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16  wherein said oil comprises a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17  wherein said oil comprises olive oil. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 16  further comprising a water insoluble fatty alcohol. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 16  further comprising an alkali-swellable polymer. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 16  comprising an emulsion. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 16  comprising a gel. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 16  comprising oleosomes. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 16  comprising a protein.