Composition and process for semi-permanent straightening of the hair

Abstract

The present invention provides a hair straightening composition with improved ease of use and reduced smoke development during the application of a straightening iron. The composition comprises at least one carboxylic acid of the formula (I) in combination with at least one polymeric thickening agent selected from non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric polymers having a viscosity of at least 500 mPa-s measured at a polymer concentration of 1% by weight, in water and at 20° C. with a Brookfield viscometer: R—CO—COOH   Formula (I) In further aspects, the present invention concerns a process for semi-permanent straightening of the hair, utilizing said composition, the use of the composition for straightening hair, and a kit comprising the composition and a straightening iron.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A hair straightening composition having a pH of 4 or less and comprising:
 at least one carboxylic acid of the formula (I) and/or a hydrate thereof and/or a salt thereof, at a total concentration in the range of 0.1 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition:
   R—CO—COOH   Formula (I)
 
   wherein R is selected from hydrogen, COOH, CN, optionally substituted C 1 -C 10  alkyl, optionally substituted C 2 -C 10  alkenyl, optionally substituted C 2 -C 10  alkynyl, optionally substituted C 3 -C 10  cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6 -C 10  aryl or a 5-10-membered, optionally substituted heteroaryl group, wherein the optional substituents of the alkyl group are selected from halogen, hydroxyl, amino and C 1 -C 4  alkoxy, and the optional substituents of the other groups are selected from halogen, hydroxyl, amino, C 1 -C 4  alkyl and C 1 -C 4  alkoxy; and,   at least one polymeric thickening agent selected from non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric polymers having a viscosity of at least 500 mPa·s measured at a polymer concentration of 1% by weight, in water and at 20° C. with a Brookfield viscometer.   
     
     
         27 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , which is a two-part composition comprising the parts A and B, which are provided for separate storage and for mixing prior to the application to the hair,
 wherein part A comprises the carboxylic acid of formula (I) and part B comprises at least one of a fragrance, a surfactant or a conditioning component, and   wherein the polymeric thickening agent is contained in either or both of part A and part B.   
     
     
         28 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 27 , wherein the fragrance is one or more fragrance raw materials having citric note, selected from Limonene, Pinene, Citral, Dihydromyrcenol, Pamplefleur, Lemon oil, Orange oil, Mandarin oil and Lime oil. 
     
     
         29 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the carboxylic acid of Formula (I) is glyoxylic acid and/or a hydrate thereof and/or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The hair straightening composition according of  claim 26 , which comprises the at least one carboxylic acid of Formula (I) and/or a hydrate thereof and/or a salt thereof at a total concentration in the range of 0.5 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         31 . The hair straightening composition according to  claim 30 , which comprises the at least one carboxylic acid of Formula (I) and/or a hydrate thereof and/or a salt thereof at a total concentration in the range of 2.5 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         32 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , having a pH of 1 to 3. 
     
     
         33 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the polymeric thickening agent is selected from non-ionic polymers, anionic polymers, amphoteric polymers, and cationic polymers having a tertiary amine group or a quaternary ammonium group. 
     
     
         34 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the polymeric thickening agent does not contain a primary amine group. 
     
     
         35 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the polymeric thickening agent is a non-ionic polymer selected from methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MHEC) and methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MEHEC). 
     
     
         36 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the polymeric thickening agent is an anionic polymer selected from xanthan gum, hydroxypropyl xanthan gum and dehydro xanthan gum. 
     
     
         37 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the polymeric thickening agent is selected from polyquaternium-37 and polyquaternium-22. 
     
     
         38 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , wherein the composition comprises at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants. 
     
     
         39 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 38 , wherein the composition comprises a cationic surfactant. 
     
     
         40 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , which is an emulsion. 
     
     
         41 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 40 , which comprises at least one higher alcohol having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         42 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , which further comprises a silicone. 
     
     
         43 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 26 , which contains less than 2 wt. % of sulfur-based reducing agents. 
     
     
         44 . The hair straightening composition of  claim 43 , wherein the straightening composition is free of sulfur-based reducing agents. 
     
     
         45 . A method of straightening hair, comprising applying the hair straightening composition of  claim 26 . 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the hair straightening composition is not used in combination with a reducing composition or an alkaline relaxer. 
     
     
         47 . Kit for hair straightening, comprising the hair straightening composition of  claim 26  and a straightening iron. 
     
     
         48 . A process for semi-permanent hair straightening, comprising the following steps performed in this order:
 (a) application of a hair straightening composition;   (b) leaving the composition on the hair for 1 to 120 minutes;   (c) optionally rinsing off the hair;   (d) drying the hair;   (e) treating the hair with an iron having a surface temperature of 180±50° C., and   (f) optionally rinsing off and/or shampooing the hair and drying,   wherein the hair straightening composition has a pH of 1 to 3 and comprises:   glyoxylic acid and/or a hydrate thereof and/or a salt thereof, at a total concentration in the range of 2.5 to 25% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition;   at least one polymeric thickening agent having a viscosity of at least 500 mPa measured at a polymer concentration of 1% by weight, in water and at 20° C. with a Brookfield viscometer,   a surfactant; and   a conditioning component,   wherein the combination with the application of a reducing composition or an alkaline relaxer is excluded.   
     
     
         49 . The process of  claim 48 , wherein the hair is treated with an iron having a surface temperature of 170 to 200° C. 
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 48 , wherein the condition component is an oil, a silicone, or a higher alcohol. 
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 48 , wherein the hair straightening composition is a two-part composition comprising the parts A and B, which are provided for separate storage and for mixing prior to the application to the hair,
 wherein part A comprises glyoxylic acid and/or a hydrate thereof and/or a salt thereof, and part B comprises at least one of a fragrance, the surfactant, or the conditioning component, and   wherein the polymeric thickening agent is contained in either or both of part A and part B.   
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the fragrance is one or more fragrance raw materials having citric note, selected from Limonene, Pinene, Citral, Dihydromyrcenol, Pamplefleur, Lemon oil, Orange oil, Mandarin oil and Lime oil.