Ultrasonic hair styling

Abstract

A hair styler uses ultrasound at an ultrasound frequency of at least 1 MHz to get a non-chemical hair styling. Advantageously, the ultrasound frequency is between 1 and 100 MHz, preferably between 3 and 10 MHz, and more preferably between 3 and 5 MHz. The ultrasound energy is preferably applied at a power that is at least 1 W/cm2, and preferably does not exceed 10 W/cm2, such as 6 W/cm2. The invention may be used for hair curling and for hair straightening. A hair straightening method comprises temporarily straightening hair, and applying ultrasound to temporarily straightened hair to obtain straightened hair. Advantageously, ultrasound is applied during a period of between 5 seconds and 2 minutes, and preferably during about 10 seconds.

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         9 . A hair styling method of applying ultrasound at an ultrasound frequency to hair to get a non-chemical hair styling, wherein the ultrasound frequency is at least 3 MHz, and the hair styling effect directly results from applying ultrasound to hair without applying chemicals or heat to hair. 
     
     
         10 . A hair styling method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the ultrasound frequency is between 3 and 100 MHz, preferably between 3 and 10 MHz, and more preferably between 3 and 5 MHz. 
     
     
         11 . A hair styling method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a power of the ultrasound is at least 1 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . A hair styling method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the ultrasound power does not exceed 10 W/cm 2 , such as 6 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         13 . A hair styling method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising temporarily straightening hair, and applying ultrasound to temporarily straightened hair to obtain straightened hair. 
     
     
         14 . A hair styling method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising winding hair (H) around a rod (R), and applying ultrasound to hair (H) wound around the rod (R). 
     
     
         15 . A hair styling method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein ultrasound is applied during a period of between 5 seconds and 2 minutes, and preferably during about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         16 . A hair styler arranged for applying ultrasound at an ultrasound frequency to hair for carrying out a method as claimed in  claim 1  to get a non-chemical hair styling, wherein the ultrasound frequency is at least 3 MHz, and the hair styling effect directly results from applying ultrasound to hair without applying chemicals or heat to hair. 
     
     
         17 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising means for temporarily straightening the hair, and an ultrasound transducer (UST) for applying ultrasound to temporarily straightened hair to obtain straightened hair. 
     
     
         18 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising a rod (R) around which hair (H) can be wound, and an ultrasound transducer (UST) for applying ultrasound to hair (H) wound around the rod (R). 
     
     
         19 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising:
 a first rod (R) mounted on a first side of the hair styler;   an ultrasound transducer (UST) for generating ultrasound waves which are coupled into the first rod (R);   a second rod with a recess for receiving the first rod on its side, on a second side of the hair styler, whereby when hair (H) is placed in between the first and second sides of the hair styler, and the first and second sides of the hair styler are clamped together, the hair (H) is pressed into a crimped or waved shape.   
     
     
         20 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising an ultrasound transducer (UST) for applying ultrasound during a period of between 5 seconds and 2 minutes, and preferably during about 10 seconds. 
     
     
         21 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasound frequency is between 3 and 100 MHz, preferably between 3 and 10 MHz, and more preferably between 3 and 5 MHz. 
     
     
         22 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a power of the ultrasound is at least 1 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         23 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the ultrasound power does not exceed 10 W/cm 2 , such as 6 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         24 . A hair styler as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising temporarily straightening hair, and applying ultrasound to temporarily straightened hair to obtain straightened hair.