Compositions and methods for treating keratin based fibers

Abstract

Compositions, formulations, kits and methods for temporarily or semi-permanently transforming the shape of individual hair filaments or keratinous fibers (curling, waving or straightening) by applying no heat or heat below about 300° F. to prevent damage to the keratinous fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a keratinous fiber of a mammal, the method comprising:
 applying a keratinous fiber styling composition to the keratinous fiber; wherein the styling composition comprises:
 a cosmetically suitable carrier; 
 at least one polymerizable monomer comprising a peptide having at least two amino acid residues; and 
 at least one protein fixing agent selected from a member of the group consisting of 2-propanone, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, butanone, t-butanol and n-butanol; and 
   activating the protein fixing agent to initiate an in-situ polymerization reaction on the keratinous fiber by applying heat to the keratinous fiber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protein fixing agent is activated by a member selected from the group consisting of: warm water, flat iron, blow dryer, heated brush, heated brush with a rotating drum and curling iron. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat is applied to the keratinous fiber for about 1 to 10 seconds. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protein fixing agent is 2-propanone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat is applied to the keratinous fiber at a temperature below 300° F. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat is applied to the keratinous fiber at a temperature between 212° F. to below 300° F. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of washing and rinsing the keratinous fiber prior to applying the styling composition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of rinsing the keratinous fiber after about 2-5 minutes. 
     
     
         9 . The method  claim 1 , further comprising a step of blow drying the keratinous fiber prior to applying heat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the styling composition further comprises a quaternary ammonium salt. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is quaternium-80. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable monomer is a polypeptide. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid residues are selected from members of the group consisting of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable monomer is silk peptide. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable monomer is a protein. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable monomer is a member selected from the group consisting of: corn protein, soy protein, nut protein, or porphyra (red algae). 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable monomer is a hydrolyzed protein. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of protein fixing agent in the styling composition is from about 1 wt % to about 45 wt % of the total composition, and all subranges therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of protein fixing agent in the styling composition is from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the total composition, and all subranges therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . Any embodiments disclosed or described in the written description and/or accompanying drawings.