Method for removing color from artificially colored hair

Abstract

Process for Removing Color from Artificially Colored Hair. This disclosure relates to processes for removing color from artificially colored hair. The processes consist of a two-step procedure: (I) applying a reducing composition to hair that has been colored with oxidative dyes and rinsing the reducing composition from the hair; and (II) applying an alkalizing composition to the hair and rinsing the alkalizing composition from the hair. The steps may be performed in any order. The processes effectively remove color from artificially colored hair quickly and gently without the use of an oxidizing agent. Figure for abstract: none

Description

Title of the invention: Method for removing color from artificially colored hair SCOPE OF DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure relates to processes for removing color (oxidative dyes) from artificially colored hair using a two-step process. CONTEXT

[0002] Consumers appreciate cosmetic products that change hair color. Many consumers desire a permanent color change and therefore use products containing permanent dyes. Conventional permanent hair coloring products are dye compositions comprising oxidation dye precursors, which are also known as primary intermediates or couplers. Oxidation dye precursors are colorless or faintly colored compounds that, when combined with an oxidizing agent, give rise, through an oxidative condensation process, to colored complexes. Peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide and persulfates are often used as oxidizing agents.The coloring process allows small molecules of oxidative dye to penetrate the cuticle and cortex of the hair fibers before the oxidation condensation process is complete. The larger color complexes resulting from the oxidative reaction are then trapped inside the hair fiber, thus permanently changing the hair color.

[0003] Some consumers wish to change their hair color quickly; for example, they color their hair one color and then switch to another before the first color has naturally faded. Before applying the new color, the existing color needs to be removed using a color remover. Most color removers rely on an oxidation process (they bleach the hair). However, this process tends to damage the hair fibers, especially when repeated several times in a short period. When hair is colored, not all oxidative dye precursors react with the oxidizing agent. A small number of residual oxidative dye precursors remain in the hair.When the hair is subsequently treated with a color removal product, the oxidizing agent in the color removal product reacts with the residual oxidative dye precursors, resulting in the reappearance of the removed color. hair. Therefore, processes to effectively remove the color from artificial hair quickly and gently are needed. DISCLOSURE SUMMARY

[0004] The processes and compositions described herein are useful for removing color and for removing oxidative dyes (both reacted and unreacted) from hair effectively and gently. The processes involve a two-step procedure. The first step involves treating artificially colored hair with a reducing composition. The second step involves treating artificially colored hair with an alkalizing composition. The hair may be treated with the reducing composition before treatment with the alkalizing composition, or the order may be reversed. However, preferably, the hair is treated first with a reducing composition and then with an alkalizing treatment. The processes are unique because they do not require treating the hair with an oxidizing agent (or a composition containing an oxidizing agent) such as hydrogen peroxide or a persulfate.Treating hair with only the reducing or only the alkalizing composition eliminates or slightly enhances some color in artificially colored hair. However, when both treatments are used together, the degree of color removal is surprisingly high and beyond what would be expected from the sum of the two individual steps (it is more than additive).

[0005] The processes in this disclosure for removing color from artificially colored hair include:

[0006] (I) the application of a reducing composition to hair that has been colored with oxidation dyes, the reducing composition comprising:

[0007] (a) one or more reducing agents containing sulfur; and

[0008] (b) water;

[0009] in which the reducing composition is free from oxidative dye precursors;

[0010] (II) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair;

[0011] (III) the application of an alkalizing composition to the hair, the alkalizing composition comprising:

[0012] (a) one or more organic alkalizing agents; and

[0013] (b) water; and

[0014] (IV) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair.

[0015] Steps (I) and (II) may be performed before (III) and (IV), or (III) and (IV) may be performed before (I) and (II). The process does not require treating the hair treated with oxidizing agents, for example peroxides and persulfates. Furthermore, the process preferably does not require ammonia or ammonia-generating agents.

[0016] Non-limiting examples of reducing agents containing sulfur include alkaline earth metal sulfites, ammonia sulfites, thiol-based compounds, their salts and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of thiol-based compounds include thiolactic acid, glycerol monothiolactate, ammonium thiolactate, MEA thiolactate, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, glycerol 3-mercaptopropionate, ethylene glycol 3-mercaptopropionate, cysteamine, N-acetylcysteamine, N-propionylcysteamine, cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, N-alkanolcysteine, alkyl esters of cysteine, homocysteine, thioglycolic acid, ethanolamine thioglycolate, glyceryl thioglycolate, glutathione, thioglycerol, thiomalic acid, thiodiglycol, 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and thioxanthine, thiosalicylic acid, thiopropionic acid, lipoic acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0017] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more surfactants, for example, one or more anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, or a combination thereof.

[0018] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more thickening agents. Non-limiting examples of thickening agents include crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, including crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, cationic acrylate copolymers, anionic acrylic or carboxylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, polysaccharides, gums, polyquaterniums, vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers / copolymers, a C8-24 hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic acid, a C8-24 conjugated aliphatic acid, sugar fatty acid esters, polyglyceryl esters, and mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, one or more of the thickening agents are natural thickening agents. Non-limiting examples of natural thickening agents include celluloses, gums (e.g., xanthan gum) and mixtures thereof.

[0019] In various embodiments, one or more of the organic alkalizing agents in the alkalizing composition are an alkanolamine. Non-limiting examples of alkanolamines include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol, and 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and combinations thereof.

[0020] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition is transparent or translucent.

[0021] This disclosure also relates to a kit comprising a reducing composition and an alkalizing composition disclosed herein. For example, a kit comprising:

[0022] (A) a reducing composition comprising:

[0023] (a) one or more reducing agents containing sulfur;

[0024] (b) water;

[0025] wherein the reducing composition is free from oxidative dye precursors; and

[0026] (B) an alkalizing composition comprising:

[0027] (a) one or more organic alkalizing agents; and

[0028] (b) water;

[0029] in which the reducing composition (A) and the alkalizing composition (B) are contained separately.

[0030] It must be understood that both the preceding general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative and explanatory and are not restrictive for disclosure.

[0031] Other subjects, characteristics, aspects and advantages of modes of disclosure embodiment will become even clearer upon reading the description and the various examples that follow. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Implementations of this technology will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% grey hair that has been coloured and then treated with a reducing composition;

[0034] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% grey hair that was coloured and subsequently treated with a reducing composition and an alkalizing composition;

[0035] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% grey hair that has been coloured and subsequently treated with a reducing composition, an alkalizing composition, or both;

[0036] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% permed grey hair that was subsequently coloured and treated with a reducing composition;

[0037] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% permed grey hair that was subsequently coloured and treated with a reducing composition and an alkalizing composition;

[0038] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% permed grey hair that was subsequently coloured and treated with a reducing composition, an alkalizing composition, or both;

[0039] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% grey hair that has been coloured and subsequently treated with a reducing composition;

[0040] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% grey hair that was coloured and subsequently treated with a reducing composition and an alkalizing composition;

[0041] [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% grey hair that has been coloured and subsequently treated with a reducing composition, an alkalizing composition, or both;

[0042] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% permed grey hair that was subsequently coloured and treated with a reducing composition;

[0043] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% permed grey hair that was subsequently coloured and treated with a reducing composition and an alkalizing composition;

[0044] [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] is a graph showing the L* versus b* values ​​for 90% permed grey hair that has been coloured and subsequently treated with a reducing composition, an alkalizing composition, or both.

[0045] The figures and the data they represent are not limiting and are provided simply to illustrate certain aspects of the technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Individuals often seek to remove the color from artificially colored hair, for example, hair that has been colored using oxidative dyeing technology. The reasons for color removal are varied. The coloring process may have provided an inadequate deposit of color, or the original color may have faded over time. As the color fades, the hair may appear less vibrant, exhibit undesirable tones, and look unkempt. Alternatively, the individual may simply want to change their hair color. In any case, before recoloring artificially colored hair, any residual oxidative dyes and oxidative dye precursors lodged in the hair must be removed.The compositions and processes of this disclosure effectively remove color (e.g., oxidative dyes and oxidative dye precursors) from hair artificially in a rapid and gentle manner.

[0047] In various embodiments, the process for removing color (oxidative dyes and / or oxidative dye precursors) from oxidatively colored hair comprises or consists of:

[0048] (I) the application of a reducing composition to hair that has been colored with oxidation dyes, the reducing composition comprising:

[0049] (a) one or more reducing agents containing sulfur; and

[0050] (b) water;

[0051] in which the reducing composition is free from oxidative dye precursors;

[0052] (II) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair;

[0053] (III) the application of an alkalizing composition to the hair, the alkalizing composition comprising:

[0054] (a) one or more organic alkalizing agents; and

[0055] (b) water; and

[0056] (IV) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair;

[0057] wherein (I) and (II) can be carried out before (III) and (IV) or (III) and (IV) can be carried out before (I) and (II).

[0058] The process does not require treating the hair with oxidizing agents, for example peroxides or persulfates. Furthermore, the process preferably does not require ammonia or ammonia-generating agents. Ammonia has a distinct odor that many consumers find objectionable.

[0059] (A) Reducing composition and hair treatment process

[0060] Non-limiting examples of reducing agents containing sulfur include alkaline earth metal sulfites, ammonia sulfites, thiol-based compounds, their salts and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of thiol-based compounds include thiolactic acid, glycerol monothiolactate, ammonium thiolactate, MEA thiolactate, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, glycerol 3-mercaptopropionate, ethylene glycol 3-mercaptopropionate, cysteamine, N-acetylcysteamine, N-propionylcysteamine, cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, N-alkanolcysteine, alkyl esters of cysteine, homocysteine, thioglycolic acid, ethanolamine thioglycolate, glyceryl thioglycolate, glutathione, thioglycerol, thiomalic acid, thiodiglycol, 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and thioxanthine, thiosalicylic acid, thiopropionic acid, lipoic acid, and mixtures thereof.In various embodiments, one or more reducing agents containing sulfur are chosen from metal sulfites. alkaline earth. A particularly preferred alkaline earth metal sulfite is sodium metabisulfite.

[0061] In various embodiments, one or more sulfur-containing reducing agents are selected from sodium metabisulfite, thiolactic acid, ammonium thioglycolate, thioglycolic acid, calcium thioglycolate, their salts and a combination thereof.

[0062] The quantity of reducing agents containing sulfur will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reducing composition comprises approximately 2 to approximately 35% by weight of one or more reducing agents containing sulfur.In other embodiments, the reducing composition comprises approximately 2 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 25% by weight, or approximately 10 to approximately 20% by weight of the sulfur-containing reducing agent(s), per ratio to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0063] In various embodiments, the reducing composition preferably includes sodium metabisulfite. The amount of sodium metabisulfite in the reducing composition will vary but may be from about 2 to about 35% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the amount of sodium metabisulfite in the reducing composition is from about 3 to about 30% by weight, from about 3 to about 25% by weight, from about 3 to about 20% by weight, from about 5 to about 30% by weight, from about 5 to about 25% by weight, from about 5 to about 20% by weight, from about 10 to about 30% by weight, from about 10 to about 25% by weight, or from about 10 to about 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0064] In various embodiments, the reducing composition preferably includes thiolactic acid. The amount of thiolactic acid in the reducing composition will vary but may be in the range of approximately 2 to approximately 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the amount of thiolactic acid in the reducing composition is approximately 2 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 3 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 25% by weight, and approximately 5 to approximately 20% by weight, from about 5 to about 15% by weight, or from about 8 to about 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0065] In various embodiments, the reducing composition preferably includes ammonium thioglycolate. The amount of ammonium thioglycolate in the reducing composition will vary but may be from about 2 to about 35% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the amount of ammonium thioglycolate in the reducing composition is about 3 to about 30% by weight, about 3 to about 25% by weight, about 3 to about 20% by weight, about 5 to about 30% by weight, about 5 to about 25% by weight, about 5 to about 20% by weight, about 10 to about 30% by weight, about 10 to about 25% by weight, or about 10 to about 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0066] In various embodiments, the reducing composition preferably includes thioglycolic acid. The amount of thioglycolic acid in the reducing composition will vary but may be in an amount of approximately 2 to approximately 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the amount of thioglycolic acid in the reducing composition is from about 2 to about 25% by weight, from about 2 to about 20% by weight, from about 2 to about 15% by weight, from about 3 to about 30% by weight, from about 3 to about 25% by weight, from about 3 to about 20% by weight, from about 3 to about 15% by weight, from about 5 to about 30% by weight, from about 5 to about 25% by weight, from about 5 to about 20% by weight, from about 5 to about 15% by weight, or from about 8 to about 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0067] In various embodiments, the reducing composition preferably includes calcium thioglycolate. The amount of calcium thioglycolate in the reducing composition will vary but may be from about 2 to about 25% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the amount of calcium thioglycolate in the reducing composition is from about 2 to about 20% by weight, from about 2 to about 15% by weight, from about 2 to about 10% by weight, from about 2 to about 8% by weight, from about 3 to about 20% by weight, from about 3 to about 15% by weight, from about 3 to about 10% by weight, or from about 3 to about 8% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0068] In various embodiments, the sulfur-containing reducing agent in the reducing composition is not sodium sulfite, ammonium thiolactate, or sodium thiosulfate. In other words, in various embodiments, the reducing composition may be free or substantially free of sodium sulfite, ammonium thiolactate, and / or sodium thiosulfate. If it is included In the reducing agent composition, it is preferable to include an additional reducing agent containing sulfur along with sodium sulfite, ammonium thiolactate, and / or sodium thiosulfate. Sodium sulfite, ammonium thiolactate, and sodium thiosulfate provide reducing activity but are not as effective at removing color from artificially colored hair as other sulfur-containing reducing agents.

[0069] The amount of water in the reducing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 50 to approximately 95% by weight of water. In other embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 55 to approximately 95% by weight, approximately 60 to approximately 95% by weight, approximately 65 to approximately 95% by weight, approximately 70 to approximately 95% by weight, approximately 75 to approximately 95% by weight, approximately 80 to approximately 95% by weight, approximately 50 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 55 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 60 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 65 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 70 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 75 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 80 to approximately 93% by weight, approximately 55 to approximately 90% by weight, approximately 60 to approximately 90% by weight, approximately 65 to approximately 90% by weight, approximately 70 to approximately 90% by weight, approximately 75 to approximately 90% by weight. weight, or about 80 to about 90% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0070] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more surfactants, for example, one or more anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and / or amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition includes one or more anionic surfactants. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition includes one or more nonionic surfactants. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition includes one or more anionic surfactants and one or more nonionic surfactants. In other embodiments, the reducing composition is free of, or essentially free of, surfactants. More specifically, in various embodiments, the reducing composition is free of, or essentially free of, cationic surfactants.In other embodiments, the reducing composition is free or essentially free of amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants. In other embodiments, the reducing composition is free or essentially free of non-ionic surfactants.

[0071] The total quantity of one or more surfactants in the reducing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more surfactants. In other embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 6% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.1 to about 4% by weight, about 0.5 to about 10% by weight, about 0.5 to about 8% by weight, about 0.5 to about 6% by weight, about 0.5 to about 5% by weight, about 0.5 to about 4% by weight, about 1 to about 10% by weight, about 1 to about 8% by weight, about 1 to about 6% by weight, about 1 to about 5% by weight, or about 1 to about 4% by weight of one or more surfactants.

[0072] As noted above, in various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more anionic surfactants.

[0073] Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl carboxylic acids, alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, and salts thereof. In some embodiments, the basic hair-coloring composition includes one or more alkyl ether carboxylic acids.Non-limiting examples of alkyl ether carboxylic acids include ceteareth-2 carboxylic acid, ceteareth-10 carboxylic acid, coceth-7 carboxylic acid, laureth-4 carboxylic acid, laureth-5 carboxylic acid, laureth-6 carboxylic acid, myreth-2 carboxylic acid, myreth-3 carboxylic acid, myreth-4 carboxylic acid, myreth-5 carboxylic acid, myreth-6 carboxylic acid, steareth-2 carboxylic acid, steareth-4 carboxylic acid, steareth-5 carboxylic acid, steareth-6 carboxylic acid, oleth-2 carboxylic acid, oleth-4 carboxylic acid, and mixtures and / or salts of these.

[0074] Preferred anionic surfactants include:

[0075] acyl sarcosinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0076] acyl taurates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0077] acyl isethionates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0078] acyl glycinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0079] acyl lactylates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0080] mono- and / or dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and monoalkyl polyoxyethyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 6 oxyethyl groups; and / or

[0081] alkyl sulfates and / or alkyl ether sulfate salts of formula R-(OCH2-CH2)nO-SO3X, in which R preferably represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms, x represents the number 0 or 1 to 12 and X represents an alkali, alkaline earth, ammonium or alkanolamine ion.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the reducing compositions include one or more alkyl sulfates and / or alkyl ether sulfates. In another preferred embodiment, the reducing compositions include one or more acyl isethionates. In yet another preferred embodiment, the reducing composition includes one or more Alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfate, acyl isethionates, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the reducing composition includes sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate.

[0083] Particularly preferred anionic surfactants include alkali, alkaline earth and / or ammonium salts of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl or acyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl or acyl taurates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl lactylates and / or acyl sulfosuccinates, of which the alkyl or acyl groups contain 6 to 24 carbon atoms respectively. Particularly preferred anionic surfactants include compounds with the following INCI names: sodium laureth sulfate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium methyl cocoyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium tallowate, sodium palmate and / or sodium lardate, and mixtures thereof.

[0084] If present, the total quantity of one or more anionic surfactants will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants. In other embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight or approximately 1 to approximately 4% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants.

[0085] In various embodiments, the reducing composition comprises one or more nonionic surfactants. Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include oxyethylenated amides, oxyethylenated fatty alcohols, and sequenced copolymer (polycondensate) surfactants of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and a mixture thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the hair-coloring base composition includes PEG-4 rapeseed amide (an oxyethylenated amide), deceth-3 (an oxyethylenated fatty alcohol), Poloxamer 338 (sequenced copolymer (polycondensate) surfactants of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), or a combination thereof.

[0086] Non-limiting examples of non-ionic oxyethylenated amides are those of the following formula: R—[(OCH2CH2)n-OCH2]p-CO—N(R )—(CH2CH2O)n H

[0087] in which:

[0088] p denotes 0 or 1,

[0089] n denotes a number in the range of 1 to 10 and preferably from 1 to 6,

[0090] n' denotes a number in the range of 1 to 100 and preferably from 1 to 60,

[0091] R' denotes a hydrogen atom or a CH2CH2OH radical and preferably a hydrogen atom, and

[0092] R denotes an alkyl or alkenyl radical in C10-C30 and preferably in C12-C22.

[0093] Examples of these compounds include Amidet A15 sold by Kao (INCI name: Trideceth-2 carboxamide MEA), rEthomid HP 60 sold by Akzo Nobel (INCI name: PEG-50 Hydrogenated Palmamide) and Amidet N sold by Kao (INCI name: PEG-4 Rapeseedamide).

[0094] Non-limiting examples of fatty alcohols include linear and branched alcohols, saturated or unsaturated, comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms and preferably from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, for example, cetyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof (cetylstearyl alcohol), octyldodecanol, 2-butyloctanol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-undecylpentadecanol, oleyl alcohol, linolenylic alcohol, ricinoleyl alcohol, undecylenyl alcohol and linoleyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.

[0095] Non-limiting examples of oxyethylenated fatty alcohols include those comprising fewer than 10 OE motifs, preferably selected from oxyethylenated derivatives of saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols, linear or branched, preferably linear, in C8-C30 and preferably in C12-C22, for example cetyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, oleocetyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and isostearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

[0096] Examples of oxyethylenated fatty alcohols comprising fewer than 10 OE units include oxyethylenated fatty alcohols comprising 2 to 8, and preferably 2 to 6 OE units, for example, ethylene oxide and lauryl alcohol adducts, e.g., lauryl alcohol 2 OE (CTFA name: laureth-2), ethylene oxide and stearyl alcohol adducts, e.g., stearyl alcohol 2 OE (CTFA name: steareth-2), ethylene oxide and decyl alcohol adducts, e.g., decyl alcohol 3 OE (CTFA name: deceth-3), decyl alcohol 5 OE (CTFA name: deceth-5), and ethylene oxide and oleocetyl alcohol adducts, e.g., oleocetyl alcohol 5 OE (CTFA name: oleoceteth-5) and their mixtures. In some cases, deceth-3 can be particularly useful.

[0097] In addition, non-limiting examples of oxyethylenated fatty alcohols having an average degree of ethoxylation of 2 to 29 are, for example, laureth-2, oleth-2, ceteareth-2, laneth-2, laureth-3, oleth-3, ceteareth-3, laureth-4, oleth-4, ceteareth-4, laneth-4, laureth-5, oleth-5, ceteareth-5, laneth-5, deceth-4, deceth-7, laureth-7, oleth-7, coceth-7, ceteth-7, ceteareth-7, Cl 1-15 pareth-7, laureth-9, oleth-9, ceteareth-9, laureth-10, oleth-10, beheneth-10, ceteareth-10, laureth-12, ceteareth-12, trideceth-12, ceteth-15, laneth-15, ceteareth-15, laneth-16, ceteareth-16, oleth-16, steareth-16, oleth-20, ceteareth-20, ceteareth-20, laneth-20, steareth-21, ceteareth-23, ceteareth-25, ceteareth-27, and a mixture of these.

[0098] Examples of usable sequenced copolymer (polycondensed) surfactants of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide include the tri-sequenced polyethylene glycol / polypropylene glycol / polyethylene glycol polycondensates sold under the names "Synperonic", such as "Synperonic PE / F32" (INCI name: Poloxamer 108), "Synperonic PE / F108" (INCI name: Poloxamer 338), "Synperonic PE / L44" (INCI name: Poloxamer 124), "Synperonic PE / L42" (INCI name: Poloxamer 122), "Synperonic PE / F127" (INCI name: Poloxamer 407), "Synperonic PE / F88" (INCI name: Poloxamer 238) or "Synperonic PE / L64" (INCI name: Poloxamer 184), by Croda, or also "Lutrol F68" (INCI name: Poloxamer 188), sold by BASF. In some cases, Poloxamer 338 may be particularly useful.

[0099] A more exhaustive list of useful non-ionic surfactants that can be included in the reducing composition is provided later, under the heading "Non-ionic surfactants".

[0100] When the reducing composition includes one or more nonionic surfactants, the amount of one or more nonionic surfactants will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.01 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants. In other embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.01 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.01 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.01 to approximately 3% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, or approximately 0.1 to approximately 3% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants.

[0101] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more thickening agents. The term "thickening agent" is interchangeable with the term "thickener." Non-limiting examples of thickening agents include crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, including crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, cationic acrylate copolymers, anionic acrylic or carboxylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, polysaccharides, gums, polyquaterniums, vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers / copolymers, a C8-24 hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic acid, a C8-24 conjugated aliphatic acid, sugar fatty esters, polyglyceryl esters, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition includes one or more natural thickening agents.Non-limiting examples of natural thickening agents include polysaccharides such as glucans, modified starches. and unmodified, amylose, amylopectins, dextran, celluloses and their derivatives (methylcelluloses, hydroxyalkylcelluloses, ethylhydroxyethylcelluloses, and carboxymethylcelluloses), mannans, xylans, lignins, chitin, chitosans, pectins, alginic acids and alginates, arabinogalactans, carrageenans and carrageenans, agar, gums (arabicum, karaya), locust bean gum, galactomannans such as guar gum and nonionic derivatives (hydroxypropyl guar), xanthan gum, scleroglucan, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition includes xanthan gum.

[0102] A more exhaustive list of useful thickening agents that may be included in the reducing composition is provided later, under the heading "Thickening Agents".

[0103] The quantity of one or more thickening agents in the reducing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more thickening agents. In other embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 3% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 4% by weight, or approximately 0.5 to approximately 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0104] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more water-soluble organic solvents (or simply "water-soluble solvents"). The term "water-soluble organic solvent" (or simply "water-soluble solvent") is interchangeable with the term "water-miscible solvent" and designates an organic compound that is liquid at 25°C and atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg), and has a solubility of at least 50% in water under these conditions. In some embodiments, the water-soluble organic solvent(s) have a solubility of at least 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% in water at 25°C and atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). Non-limiting examples of water-soluble organic solvents include glycerin, alcohols (e.g., Ci-30, Ci-15, Ci-10 or Ci-4 alcohols), polyols, glycols and mixtures thereof.In some embodiments, the water-soluble organic solvent(s) are selected from alcohols such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol, or glycols or glycol ethers such as monomethyl, monoethyl and monobutyl ethers of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or ethers thereof such as, for example, monomethyl ether of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, the . dipropylene glycol as well as diethylene glycol alkyl ethers, for example diethylene glycol monoethyl ether or diethylene glycol monobutyl ether.

[0105] Other non-limiting but useful examples of water-soluble organic solvents include alkanediols (polyhydric alcohols) such as glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, (caprylyl glycol), 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol and 4-methyl-1,2-pentanediol; alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, propanol and isopropanol; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether,diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-l-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, and dipropylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether; 2-Pyrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, formamide, acetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sorbit, sorbitan, acetin, diacetinate, triacetin, sulfolane, and mixtures thereof.

[0106] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more water-soluble organic solvents selected from glycols, CM alcohols, glycerin, and a mixture thereof; preferably the water-soluble organic solvent is selected from caprylyl glycol, glycerin, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, ethanol, and a mixture thereof.

[0107] In some embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more polyhydric alcohols. Non-limiting examples of polyhydric alcohols include glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, and polyethylene. glycol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and mixtures thereof. Polyol compounds may also be used. Non-limiting examples include aliphatic diols, such as 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol, 5-hexene-1,2-diol, and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, and mixtures thereof.

[0108] The total amount of one or more water-soluble organic solvents in the reducing composition, if present, will vary. In some embodiments, the reducing composition includes approximately 1 to approximately 40% by weight of one or more water-soluble organic solvents, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the hair reducing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, and approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0109] In various embodiments, the reducing composition includes one or more miscellaneous ingredients. Miscellaneous ingredients are ingredients that are compatible with the reducing compositions and that do not disrupt or materially affect the fundamental and innovative properties of the compositions (e.g., the "reducing nature of the composition"). Non-limiting examples of ingredients include preservatives, perfumes, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, fillers, compositional colorants, cationic polymers, etc.

[0110] In various embodiments, the various ingredients are selected from preservatives, perfumes, pH correctors, salts, chelating agents, buffers, compositional colorants, and mixtures thereof.

[0111] The total quantity of the miscellaneous ingredient(s), if present, will vary. However, in various embodiments, the reduced composition of this disclosure includes from approximately 0.001 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, relative to the total weight of the reduced composition. In other embodiments, the reduced composition of this disclosure includes from approximately 0.001 to approximately 5% by weight, from approximately 0.001 to approximately 3% by weight, from approximately 0.01 to approximately 10% by weight, from approximately 0.01 to approximately 5% by weight, from approximately 0.01 to approximately 3% by weight, from approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight, of about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, or about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

[0112] As illustrated above and throughout this disclosure, the reducing composition is not a composition that deposits hair-coloring agents (oxidative dye precursors, direct dyes, etc.) onto the hair. Rather, it enhances the hair color. Therefore, the reducing composition is generally free or substantially free of coloring agents that will impart color to the hair, for example, oxidative dye precursors, direct dyes, pigments, etc.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition comprises or consists of:

[0114] (a) about 2 to about 30% by weight, preferably about 3 to about 25% by weight, more preferably about 5 to about 20% by weight of one or more reducing agents containing sulfur, preferably selected from alkaline earth metal sulfites, ammonia sulfites, thiol-based compounds, their salts and a combination thereof;

[0115] (b) about 60 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 70 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 80 to about 93% by weight of water;

[0116] (c) about 0.1 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 0.5 to about 8% by weight, more preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants;

[0117] (d) about 0.1 to about 10% by weight, more preferably about 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, more preferably approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight of one or more thickening agents; and

[0118] (e) about 0.1 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 0.5 to 8% by weight, preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, for example, one or more of the following: preservatives, perfumes, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, fillers, compositional colorants, cationic polymers, and a combination thereof;

[0119] in which all percentages by weight are based on a total weight of the reducing composition.

[0120] The reducing composition typically has an acidic pH. In various embodiments, the pH of the reducing composition is from about 2 to less than 7. In other embodiments, the pH of the reducing composition is from about 2 to about 6, from about 2 to about 5.5, from about 2 to about 5, from about 2 to about 4.5, from about 2 to about 4, from about 3 to about 6, from about 3 to about 5.5, from about 3 to about 5, from about 3 to about 4.5, from about 3 to about 4, from about 4 to about 6, or from about 4 to about 5.

[0121] The viscosity of the reducing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the viscosity of the reducing composition is approximately 100 to approximately 1,000 cps at 25°C using a #2 spindle at 5 rpm. In other embodiments, the viscosity is approximately 100 to approximately 800 cps, approximately 100 to approximately 500 cps, approximately 200 to approximately 1,000 cps, approximately 300 to approximately 1,000 cps, or approximately 500 to approximately 1,000 cps at 25°C using a #2 spindle at 5 rpm. The viscosity can be measured, for example, using a Brookfield DVE viscometer.

[0122] The reducing composition can be in various forms. For example, the reducing composition can be a liquid, a serum, a gel, a paste, or a cream. It can also have a viscosity such that it can be sprayed onto the hair using a typical manual pump sprayer. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the reducing composition is an emulsion. In other embodiments, the reducing composition is not an emulsion.

[0123] In various embodiments, the reducing composition is transparent or translucent. The reducing composition may also be opaque. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing composition is transparent or translucent.

[0124] The reducing composition is applied to hair that has been artificially colored with oxidative dyes. The hair may be wet, damp, or dry. In some embodiments, it is beneficial for the hair to be washed (shampooed) and for the reducing composition to be applied immediately afterward (for example, within approximately 5 or 10 minutes) of shampooing. The reducing composition is applied to the hair and left on the hair for a period of time, for example, from approximately 1 minute to approximately 1 hour. This allows the reducing composition to coat and be absorbed into the hair.In various embodiments, the reducing composition is applied to the hair and left to act on the hair for approximately 5 minutes to approximately 1 hour, approximately 5 minutes to approximately 45 minutes, approximately 5 minutes to approximately 30 minutes, approximately 5 minutes to approximately 15 minutes, approximately 10 minutes to approximately 1 hour, approximately 10 minutes to approximately 45 minutes, approximately 10 minutes to approximately 30 minutes.

[0125] Heat is not required to treat the hair with the reducing composition. The treatment can therefore be carried out at room temperature. In various embodiments, the reducing composition is applied to the hair and can remain on the hair at a temperature of approximately 15 to approximately 45°C. In other embodiments, the reducing composition is applied to the hair and left at a temperature of about 15 to about 40°C, about 15 to about 35°C, about 15 to about 30°C, about 20 to about 45°C, about 20 to about 40°C, about 20 to about 35°C, about 20 to about 30°C, about 20 to about 45°C, about 20°C to about 40°C, about 20 to about 35°C, or about 20 to about 30°C.

[0126] Once the reducing composition has remained on the hair for a sufficient time, the alkaline composition is rinsed from the hair. Furthermore, once the reducing composition has remained on the hair for a sufficient time, the hair can be washed (shampooed).

[0127] (B) Alkalizing composition and hair treatment process

[0128] The alkalizing composition includes one or more organic alkalizing agents, for example, one or more alkanolamines. Non-limiting examples include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol, and 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alkalizing composition includes monoethanolamine.

[0129] In addition to one or more organic alkalizing agents, the alkalizing composition optionally includes one or more additional alkalizing agents. Non-limiting examples of alkalizing agents include ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium acetate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, ammonium carbamate, percarbonate salts, guanidium salts, alkali metal hydroxides (such as sodium hydroxide), alkali metal carbonates, and mixtures thereof.

[0130] The quantity of one or more organic alkalizing agents in the alkalizing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 1 to approximately 25% by weight of one or more organic alkalizing agents. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 1 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 2 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 8 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 8 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 8 to approximately 15% by weight. % by weight, or about 8 to about 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition.

[0131] The amount of water in the alkalizing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 50 to approximately 98% by weight of water. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 60 to approximately 98% by weight, approximately 70 to approximately 98% by weight, approximately 75 to approximately 98% by weight, approximately 80 to approximately 98% by weight, approximately 50 to approximately 95% by weight, 60 to approximately 95% by weight, 70 to approximately 95% by weight, 75 to approximately 95% by weight, 80 to approximately 95% by weight, 50 to approximately 90% by weight, 60 to approximately 90% by weight, 70 to approximately 90% by weight, 75 to approximately 90% by weight, or 80 to approximately 90% by weight % by weight of water.

[0132] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more surfactants, for example, one or more anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and / or amphoteric surfactants (zwitterionic surfactants). In particular embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more anionic surfactants. In particular embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more nonionic surfactants. In particular embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more cationic surfactants. In particular embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants.

[0133] The total quantity of one or more surfactants in the alkalizing composition, if present, will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes from approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more surfactants, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 6% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 6% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 6% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight, or approximately 1 to approximately 4% by weight of one or more surfactants, relative to the total weight of the one or more surfactants.

[0134] As noted above, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more anionic surfactants. Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl carboxylic acids, alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, and salts of These. In some embodiments, the basic hair coloring composition includes one or more alkyl ether carboxylic acids. Non-limiting examples of alkyl ether carboxylic acids include ceteareth-2 carboxylic acid, ceteareth-10 carboxylic acid, coceth-7 carboxylic acid, laureth-4 carboxylic acid, laureth-5 carboxylic acid, laureth-6 carboxylic acid, myreth-2 carboxylic acid, myreth-3 carboxylic acid, myreth-4 carboxylic acid, myreth-5 carboxylic acid, myreth-6 carboxylic acid, steareth-2 carboxylic acid, steareth-4 carboxylic acid, steareth-5 carboxylic acid, steareth-6 carboxylic acid, oleth-2 carboxylic acid, oleth-4 carboxylic acid, and mixtures and / or salts of these.

[0135] Preferred anionic surfactants include:

[0136] acyl sarcosinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0137] acyl taurates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0138] acyl isethionates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0139] acyl glycinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0140] acyl lactylates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group;

[0141] mono- and / or dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and monoalkyl polyoxyethyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 6 oxyethyl groups; and / or

[0142] alkyl sulfates and / or alkyl ether sulfate salts of formula R-(OCH2-CH2)nO-SO3X, in which R preferably represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms, x represents the number 0 or 1 to 12 and X represents an alkali, alkaline earth, ammonium or alkanolamine ion.

[0143] Particularly preferred anionic surfactants include alkali, alkaline earth and / or ammonium salts of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl or acyl sulfosuccinates, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl or acyl groups, the alkyl or acyl groups of which contain 6 to 24 carbon atoms respectively. Particularly preferred anionic surfactants include compounds with the following INCI names: sodium laureth sulfate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium methyl cocoyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium tallowate, sodium palmate and / or sodium lardate, and mixtures thereof.

[0144] If present, the total quantity of one or more anionic surfactants will vary. However, in various embodiments, the composition The alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight, or approximately 1 to approximately 4% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition.

[0145] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more nonionic surfactants. Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include oxyethylenated amides, oxyethylenated fatty alcohols, and sequenced copolymer (polycondensate) surfactants of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and a mixture thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the hair-coloring base composition includes PEG-4 rapeseed amide (an oxyethylenated amide), deceth-3 (an oxyethylenated fatty alcohol), Poloxamer 338 (sequenced copolymer (polycondensate) surfactants of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), or a combination thereof.

[0146] A more exhaustive list of useful non-ionic surfactants that may be included in the alkalizing composition is provided later, under the heading "Non-ionic surfactants".

[0147] If present, the quantity of one or more nonionic surfactants will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight, or approximately 1 to approximately 4% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition.

[0148] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more cationic surfactants. The term "cationic surfactant" refers to a surfactant that can be positively charged when contained in the compositions as disclosed. This surfactant may carry one or more permanent positive charges or may contain one or more functional groups that are cationizable in the composition as disclosed. Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include cetrimonium chloride, stearimonium chloride, and behentrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, behenamidopropyltrimonium methosulfate, stearamidopropyltrimonium chloride, arachidtrimonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, tricetylmonium chloride, oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, linoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, isostearamidopropyl dimethylamine, oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, brassicamidopropyldimethylamine, lauramidopropyl dimethylamine, myristamidopropyl dimethylamine, dilinoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dimethylamine and a combination thereof.

[0149] In various embodiments, one or more cationic surfactants are selected from cetrimonium chloride, stearimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, behenamidopropyltrimonium methosulfate, stearamidopropyltrimonium chloride, arachidtrimonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, tricetylmonium chloride, oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, linoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, isostearamidopropyl dimethylamine, oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldimethylamine, and one of their combinations.

[0150] In other embodiments, the one or more cationic surfactants are preferably chosen from decetrimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine and a combination thereof.

[0151] If present, the quantity of one or more cationic surfactants will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more cationic surfactants. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes from about 0.1 to about 8% by weight, about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, about 0.1 to about 4% by weight, about 0.5 to about 10% by weight, about 0.5 to about 8% by weight, about 0.5 to about 5% by weight, about 0.5 to about 4% by weight, about 1 to about 10% by weight, about 1 to about 8% by weight, about 1 to about 5% by weight, or about 1 to about 4% by weight, of one or more nonionic surfactants relative to the total weight of the composition.

[0152] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more thickening agents. The term "thickening agent" is interchangeable with the term "thickener." Non-limiting examples of thickening agents include crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, including crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, cationic acrylate copolymers, anionic acrylic or carboxylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, polysaccharides, gums, polyquaterniums, vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers / copolymers, a C8-24 hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic acid, a C8-24 conjugated aliphatic acid, sugar fatty esters, polyglyceryl esters, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alkalizing composition includes one or more natural thickening agents.Non-limiting examples of natural thickening agents include polysaccharides such as glucans, modified and unmodified starches, amylose, amylopectins, dextran, celluloses and their derivatives (methylcelluloses, hydroxyalkylcelluloses, ethylhydroxyethylcelluloses, and carboxymethylcelluloses), mannans, xylans, lignins, chitin, chitosans, pectins, alginic acids and alginates, arabinogalactans, carrageenans and carrageenans, agar, gums (arabicum, karaya), locust bean gum, galactomannans such as guar gum and nonionic derivatives (hydroxypropyl guar), xanthan gum, scleroglucan, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alkalizing composition includes one or more natural thickening agents.

[0153] A more exhaustive list of useful thickening agents which may be included in the alkalizing composition is provided later, under the heading “Thickening Agents”.

[0154] The quantity of one or more thickening agents in the alkalizing composition, if present, will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight of one or more thickening agents. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, 0.1 to approximately 4% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 3% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 0.5 to approximately 4% by weight, or approximately 0.5 to approximately 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition.

[0155] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more water-soluble organic solvents (or simply "water-soluble solvents"). The term "water-soluble organic solvent" (or "water-soluble solvent") is interchangeable with the term "water-miscible solvent" and has been defined above. Non-limiting examples of water-soluble organic solvents include glycerin, alcohols (e.g., Ci₃O, Ch₅, Cho, or Ci₄ alcohols), polyols, glycols and a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, the water-soluble organic solvent(s) are selected from alcohols such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol, or glycols or glycol ethers such as monomethyl, monoethyl and monobutyl ethers of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or ethers thereof such as, for example, monomethyl ether of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, dipropylene glycol as well as alkyl ethers of diethylene glycol, for example monoethyl ether or monobutyl ether of diethylene glycol.

[0156] Other non-limiting but useful examples of water-soluble organic solvents include alkanediols (polyhydric alcohols) such as glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, (caprylyl glycol), 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol and 4-methyl-1,2-pentanediol; alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, propanol and isopropanol; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether,diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-l-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, and dipropylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether; 2-Pyrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, formamide, acetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sorbit, sorbitan, acetin, diacetinate, triacetin, sulfolane, and mixtures thereof.

[0157] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more water-soluble organic solvents selected from glycols, Cm alcohols, glycerin, and a mixture thereof; preferably the water-soluble organic solvent is selected from caprylyl glycol, glycerin, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, ethanol, and a mixture thereof.

[0158] In some embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more polyhydric alcohols. Non-limiting examples of polyhydric alcohols include glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and mixtures thereof. Polyol compounds may also be used.Non-limiting examples include aliphatic diols, such as 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol, 5-hexene-1,2-diol and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, and mixtures thereof.

[0159] The total amount of one or more water-soluble organic solvents in the alkalizing composition, if present, will vary. In some embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes approximately 1 to approximately 40% by weight of one or more water-soluble organic solvents, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition. In other embodiments, the hair alkalizing composition includes approximately 0.1 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 0.1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, and approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition.

[0160] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition includes one or more miscellaneous ingredients. Miscellaneous ingredients are ingredients that are compatible with the reducing composition and that do not disrupt or materially affect the fundamental and innovative properties of the compositions (e.g., the "alkalizing" nature of the composition). Non-limiting examples of ingredients include preservatives, perfumes, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, fillers, compositional colorants, cationic polymers, thickening agents, etc.

[0161] In various embodiments, the various ingredients are selected from preservatives, perfumes, pH correctors, salts, chelating agents, buffers, compositional colorants, and mixtures thereof.

[0162] The total amount of the miscellaneous ingredient(s), if present, will vary. However, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition of this disclosure includes from about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition. In other embodiments, the alkalizing compositions include from about 0.001 to about 5% by weight, from about 0.001 to about 3% by weight, from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight, from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight, from about 0.01 to about 3% by weight, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight, from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, or from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition.

[0163] As its name indicates, an alkalizing composition has an alkaline pH. The pH of the alkalizing composition is generally from about 8 to about 13. Preferably, the pH of the alkalizing agent is from about 8 to about 12, from about 8 to about 11, or from about 8 to about 10, from about 9 to about 13, from about 9 to about 12, from about 9 to about 10, from about 10 to about 13, from about 10 to about 12, or from about 11 to about 12.

[0164] The viscosity of the alkalizing composition will vary. However, in various embodiments, the viscosity of the alkalizing composition is approximately 2,000 to approximately 10,000 cps at 25°C using a #2 spindle at 5 rpm. In other embodiments, the viscosity of the alkalizing composition is approximately 2,000 to approximately 8,000 cps, approximately 2,000 to approximately 5,000 cps, approximately 3,000 to approximately 10,000 cps, approximately 3,000 to approximately 8,000 cps, approximately 2,500 to approximately 10,000 cps, approximately 3,000 to approximately 10,000 cps, approximately 3,500 to approximately 10,000 cps, approximately 4,000 to approximately 10,000 cps, or approximately 5,000 to approximately 10,000 cps at 25°C using a #2 spindle at 5 rpm. Viscosity can be measured, for example, using a Brookfield DVE viscometer.

[0165] The alkalizing composition can be in a variety of different forms. For example, the alkalizing composition can be a liquid, a serum, a gel, a paste, or a cream. It can also have a viscosity such that it can be sprayed onto the hair using a typical hand-operated pump sprayer. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the alkalizing composition is an emulsion. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition is not an emulsion.

[0166] In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition is transparent or translucent. Alternatively, the alkalizing composition may be opaque. In a preferred embodiment, the alkalizing composition is transparent or translucent.

[0167] The alkalizing composition is applied to hair that has been artificially colored with oxidative dyes. The hair may be wet, damp, or dry. In some embodiments, it is beneficial for the hair to be washed (shampooed) and for the alkalizing composition to be applied to the hair immediately afterward (for example, within approximately 5 or 10 minutes) washing (shampooing). The alkalizing composition is applied to the hair and left on the hair for a period of time, for example, from approximately 1 minute to approximately 1 hour. This allows the alkalizing composition to coat and be absorbed onto / into the hair.In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition is applied to the hair and left to act on the hair for approximately 5 minutes to approximately 1 hour, approximately 5 minutes to approximately 45 minutes, approximately 5 minutes to approximately 30 minutes, approximately 5 minutes to approximately 15 minutes, approximately 10 minutes to approximately 1 hour, approximately 10 minutes to approximately 45 minutes, approximately 10 minutes to approximately 30 minutes.

[0168] Heat is not required to treat the hair with the alkalizing composition. The treatment can therefore be carried out at room temperature. In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition is applied to the hair and can remain on the hair at a temperature of approximately 15 to approximately 45°C. In other embodiments, the alkalizing composition is applied to the hair and left at a temperature of about 15 to about 40°C, about 15 to about 35°C, about 15 to about 30°C, about 20 to about 45°C, about 20 to about 40°C, about 20 to about 35°C, about 20 to about 30°C, about 20 to about 45°C, about 20 to about 40°C, about 20 to about 35°C, or about 20 to about 30°C.

[0169] Once the alkalizing composition has remained on the hair for a sufficient time, the alkalizing composition is rinsed from the hair. Furthermore, once the alkalizing composition has remained on the hair for a sufficient time, the hair can be washed (shampooed).

[0170] Processes for treating artificially colored hair with a reducing composition and with an alkalizing composition are described above. As already mentioned, the treatments are preferably used together, i.e., the artificially colored hair is treated sequentially with the reducing composition and the alkalizing composition. A treatment with the reducing composition may be carried out first, followed by a treatment with the alkalizing composition, or the order may be reversed, i.e., a treatment with the alkalizing composition carried out first, followed by a treatment with the reducing composition. Preferably, a treatment with the reducing composition is performed before the treatment with the alkalizing composition. In any case, both treatments are carried out within a reasonable timeframe, i.e., approximately 1 or 2 hours of each other. The hair is treated with the first composition / treatment, and the first composition / treatment is rinsed from the hair. The hair may optionally be washed with shampoo after the first treatment. Approximately 1 hour after rinsing or washing the hair of the first composition / treatment, the hair is treated with the second composition / treatment. After the hair has been treated with the second composition / treatment, the second composition / treatment is rinsed from the hair. After the second treatment, the hair may optionally be washed with shampoo.The two treatments are performed consecutively, typically one after the other. In other words, the first treatment is not performed on one day and the second treatment on another day. Instead, the second treatment is usually performed approximately 1 hour after the completion of the first treatment. For example, the second treatment may be performed approximately 45 minutes after the completion of the first treatment. In other embodiments, the second treatment may be performed approximately 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, or 5 minutes after the completion of the first treatment.

[0171] In various embodiments, the reducing composition is free or substantially free of imidazolium compounds. In various embodiments, the alkalizing composition is free or substantially free of imidazolium compounds. In various embodiments, the reducing compositions and / or the alkalizing composition are transparent or translucent. In various embodiments, the reducing composition and / or the alkalizing compositions are individually an emulsion, not an emulsion, gel, paste, spray, or serum.

[0172] In various embodiments, the processes of this disclosure include or consist of:

[0173] (I) the application of a reducing composition to oxidatively colored hair and leaving the reducing composition on the hair for approximately 5 to approximately 60 minutes, preferably approximately 5 to approximately 30 minutes, more preferably approximately 5 to approximately 20 minutes, at a temperature of approximately 15 to approximately 45°C, preferably approximately 15 to approximately 35°C, more preferably approximately 20 to approximately 30°C, the reducing composition comprising or consisting of:

[0174] (a) about 2 to about 35% by weight, preferably about 5 to about 30% by weight, more preferably about 10 to about 20% by weight, relative to a total weight of the reducing composition, of one or more reducing agents containing sulfur, preferably one or more reducing agents containing sulfur selected from sodium metabisulfite, thiolactic acid, ammonium thioglycolate, thioglycolic acid, calcium thioglycolate, salts thereof and a combination thereof, more preferably sodium metabisulfite;

[0175] (b) about 60 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 70 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 80 to about 90% by weight of the reducing composition, of water;

[0176] (c) about 0.5 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 0.5 to about 5% by weight, more preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight, relative to a total weight of the reducing composition, of one or more anionic surfactants, preferably one or more anionic surfactants selected from acyl sarcosinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl taurates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl isethionates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl glycinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl lactylates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; mono and / or dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the alkyl group and monoalkyl polyoxyethyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 6 oxyethyl groups;and alkyl sulfate and / or alkyl ether sulfate salts of formula R-(OCH2-CH2)nO-SO3X, in which R preferably represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms, x represents the number 0 or 1 to 12, and X represents an alkali, alkaline earth, ammonium, or alkanolamine ion, more preferably one or more anionic surfactants selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, acyl isethionates, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and;

[0177] (d) about 0.01 to about 5% by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, more preferably about 0.5 to about 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition, of one or more thickening agents, preferably one or more natural thickening agents, more preferably one or more natural thickening agents selected from polysaccharides such as glucans, modified and unmodified starches, amylose, amylopectins, dextran, celluloses and their derivatives (methylcelluloses, hydroxyalkylcelluloses, ethylhydroxyethylcelluloses and carboxymethylcelluloses), mannans, xylans, lignins, chitin, chitosans, pectins, alginic acids and alginates, arabinogalactans, carrageenans and carrageenans, agar-agar, gums (arabicum, karaya), carob gum, galactomannans such as guar gum and non-ionic derivatives (hydroxyhydroxy guar), xanthan gum, scleroglucan, and their combinations;

[0178] (e) optionally, from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 1 to 8% by weight, more preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, preferably one or more miscellaneous ingredients selected from preservatives, perfumes, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, fillers, compositional colorants, cationic polymers, and a combination thereof;

[0179] in which the reducing composition is free from oxidative dye precursors (i.e. the reducing composition is not a composition that deposits color on / in hair; it does not include direct dyes, pigments, oxidative dye precursors or other hair coloring agents that could be deposited on hair);

[0180] (II) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair;

[0181] (III) application of an alkalizing composition to the hair and maintenance of the alkalizing composition on the hair for approximately 1 to approximately 60 minutes at a temperature of approximately 15 to approximately 45°C, the alkalizing composition comprising or consisting of:

[0182] (a) about 1 to about 25% by weight, preferably about 2 to about 20 % by weight, more preferably about 5 to about 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition, of one or more organic alkalizing agents, preferably one or more organic alkalizing agents selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol and 2-amino-2-hydroxyhydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and a combination thereof, more preferably monoethanolamine; and

[0183] (b) about 50 to about 98% by weight, preferably about 75 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 80 to about 95% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition, of water; and

[0184] (c) optionally, from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 1 to 8% by weight, more preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, preferably miscellaneous ingredients selected from preservatives, perfumes, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, fillers, compositional colorants, cationic polymers, and a combination thereof.

[0185] (IV) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair; and

[0186] (V) optionally, drying and styling hair after rinsing and optionally shampoo the hair in (IV);

[0187] wherein (I) and (II) can be performed before (III) and (IV) or (III) and (IV) can be performed before (I) and (II);

[0188] the process removes color and / or oxidative dyes and / or oxidative dye precursors from colored hair;

[0189] the reducing composition and / or the alkalizing composition is preferably transparent or translucent;

[0190] the reducing composition preferably has a pH of about 2 to less than 7, preferably of about 2 to about 6, more preferably of about 3 to about 5.5 (or 5) and the alkalizing composition preferably has a pH of about 9 to about 12, preferably of about 10 to about 12 or of about 9 to about 11;

[0191] The process does not involve treating the hair with oxidizing agents (such as peroxide and persulfates); and

[0192] Treatment with the reducing composition of (I) and treatment with the alkalizing composition of (III) is carried out within a period of approximately 1 hour, preferably within a period of approximately 45 minutes, more preferably within a period of approximately 30 minutes from each other.

[0193] In various embodiments, the processes of this disclosure include or consist of:

[0194] (I) the application of a reducing composition to oxidatively colored hair and leaving the reducing composition on the hair for approximately 5 to approximately 60 minutes, preferably approximately 5 to approximately 30 minutes, more preferably approximately 5 to approximately 20 minutes, at a temperature of approximately 15 to approximately 45°C, preferably approximately 15 to approximately 35°C, more preferably approximately 20 to approximately 30°C, the reducing composition comprising or consisting of:

[0195] (a) about 2 to about 35% by weight, preferably about 5 to about 30% by weight, more preferably about 10 to about 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition, of one or more sulfur-containing reducing agents selected from sodium metabisulfite, thiolactic acid, the ammonium thioglycolate, thioglycolic acid, calcium thioglycolate, salts thereof, and a combination thereof, preferably sodium metabisulfite;

[0196] (b) about 60 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 70 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 80 to about 90% by weight of the reducing composition, of water;

[0197] (c) about 0.5 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 0.5 to about 5% by weight, more preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight, relative to a total weight of the reducing composition, of one or more anionic surfactants, preferably one or more anionic surfactants selected from acyl sarcosinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl taurates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl isethionates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl glycinates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; acyl lactylates containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group; mono and / or dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the alkyl group and monoalkyl polyoxyethyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid containing 8 to 24 C atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 6 oxyethyl groups;and alkyl sulfate and / or alkyl ether sulfate salts of formula R-(OCH2-CH2)nO-SO3X, in which R preferably represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms, x represents the number 0 or 1 to 12, and X represents an alkali, alkaline earth, ammonium, or alkanolamine ion, more preferably one or more anionic surfactants selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, acyl isethionates, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and;

[0198] (d) about 0.01 to about 5% by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, more preferably about 0.5 to about 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition, of one or more natural thickening agents selected from polysaccharides such as glucans, modified and unmodified starches, amylose, amylopectins, dextrans, celluloses and their derivatives (methylcelluloses, hydroxyalkylcelluloses, ethylhydroxyethylcelluloses and carboxymethylcelluloses), mannans, xylans, lignins, chitin, chitosans, pectins, alginic acids and alginates, arabinogalactans, carrageenans and carrageenates, agar, gums (arabicum, karaya), locust bean gum, galactomannans such as guar gum and nonionic derivatives (hydroxypropyl guar), xanthan gum, gum of scleroglucan, and their combinations, preferably xanthan gum;

[0199] (e) optionally, from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 1 to 8% by weight, more preferably about 1 to about 5% by weight of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, preferably one or more selected miscellaneous ingredients including preservatives, perfumes, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, fillers, compositional colorants, cationic polymers, and a combination thereof;

[0200] in which the reducing composition is free from oxidative dye precursors (i.e. the reducing composition is not a composition that deposits color on / in hair; it does not include direct dyes, pigments, oxidative dye precursors or other hair coloring agents that could be deposited on hair);

[0201] (II) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair;

[0202] (III) the application of an alkalizing composition to the hair and the retention of the alkalizing composition on the hair for approximately 1 to approximately 60 minutes at a temperature of approximately 15 to approximately 45°C, wherein the alkalizing composition comprises:

[0203] (a) about 1 to about 25% by weight, preferably about 2 to about 20 % by weight, more preferably about 5 to about 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition, of one or more organic alkalizing agents selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, 2-amino-2-2-2-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, and 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and a combination thereof, more preferably monoethanolamine; and

[0204] (b) about 50 to about 98% by weight, preferably about 75 to about 95% by weight, preferably about 80 to about 95% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition, of water; and

[0205] (c) optionally, about 0.01 to about 10, preferably about 0.01 to about 5, more preferably about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the alkalizing composition, of one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, or a combination thereof;

[0206] (j) optionally, from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight, preferably about 1 to 8% by weight, or better yet about 1 to about 5% by weight, of one or more miscellaneous ingredients, for example, miscellaneous ingredients selected from preservatives, fragrances, pH adjusters, salts, chelating agents, buffers, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates and / or isolates, charges, compositional dyes, cationic polymers, and a combination thereof.

[0207] (IV) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair; and

[0208] (V) optionally, drying and styling hair after rinsing and optionally shampoo the hair in (IV);

[0209] wherein (I) and (II) can be performed before (III) and (IV) or (III) and (IV) can be performed before (I) and (II);

[0210] the process removes color and / or oxidative dyes and / or oxidative dye precursors from colored hair;

[0211] the reducing composition and / or the alkalizing composition is preferably transparent or translucent;

[0212] the reducing composition preferably has a pH of about 2 to less than 7, preferably of about 2 to about 6, more preferably of about 3 to about 5.5 (or 5) and the alkalizing composition preferably has a pH of about 9 to about 12, preferably of about 10 to about 12 or of about 9 to about 11;

[0213] the process does not involve treating the hair with oxidizing agents (such as peroxide and persulfates); and

[0214] Treatment with the reducing composition of (I) and treatment with the alkalizing composition of (III) is carried out within a period of approximately 1 hour, preferably within a period of approximately 45 minutes, more preferably within a period of approximately 30 minutes from each other.

[0215] This disclosure also relates to kits. For example, in various embodiments, this disclosure relates to a kit comprising: (A) one or more reducing compositions as described herein; and (B) one or more alkalizing compositions as described herein; wherein the one or more reducing compositions and the one or more alkalizing compositions are contained separately. In other embodiments, the kit further includes one or more cleansing compositions (a shampoo), one or more conditioning compositions (a conditioner), or both one or more cleansing compositions and one or more conditioning compositions. Nonionic surfactants

[0216] Non-ionic surfactants are well-known compounds in themselves (see, for example, in this regard, the "Handbook of Surfactants" by MR Porter, Blackie & Son publishers (Glasgow and London), 1991, pages 116-178).

[0217] The nonionic surfactant may, for example, be selected from alcohols, alpha-diols, alkylphenols and fatty acid esters, these compounds being ethoxylated, propoxylated or glycerolated and comprising at least one fatty chain including, For example, from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups can range from 2 to 50, and the number of glycerol groups from 1 to 30. Maltose derivatives can also be mentioned.Other examples include, but are not limited to, copolymers of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide; condensates of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols; polyethoxylated fatty amides comprising, for example, 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; polyglycerol fatty amides comprising, for example, 1.5 to 5 glycerol groups, such as 1.5 to 4; ethoxylated fatty acid esters of sorbitan comprising 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; ethoxylated oils of vegetable origin; fatty acid esters of sucrose; fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol; mono- or diesters of polyethoxylated fatty acids of alkylpolyglycosides (C6-C24) of glycerol; N-alkylglucamine derivatives (C6-C24), amine oxides such as alkylamine oxides (C10-C14) or N-acylaminopropylmorpholine oxides (C10-C14) and mixtures thereof.

[0218] Nonionic surfactants may preferably be selected from polyoxyalkylated or polyglycerolated nonionic surfactants. The oxyalkylene motifs are more particularly oxyethylene or oxypropylene motifs, or a combination thereof, and are preferably oxyethylene motifs.

[0219] Examples of nonionic oxyalkylated surfactants that may be mentioned include: oxyalkylated (C8-C24) alkylphenols, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched; oxyalkylated C8-C30 alcohols, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched; oxyalkylated C8-C30 amides; esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C8-C30 acids and polyethylene glycols; polyoxyalkylated esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C8-C30 acids and sorbitol; saturated or unsaturated, oxyalkylated vegetable oils; condensates of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide, among others, alone or in mixtures.

[0220] Surfactants preferably contain a number of moles of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide between 2 and 100 and even better between 2 and 50.

[0221] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oxyalkylated non-ionic surfactants are selected from C8-C30 oxyethylened alcohols.

[0222] Examples of ethoxylated fatty alcohols (or C8-C30 alcohols) that may be mentioned include ethylene oxide adducts with lauryl alcohol, in particular those containing 9 to 50 oxyethylene groups and more particularly those containing 10 to 25 oxyethylene groups (laureth-10 to laureth-25); ethylene oxide adducts with behenyl alcohol, in particular those containing 9 to 50 oxyethylene groups (beheneth-9 to beheneth-50); ethylene oxide adducts with alcohol cetearyl (mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol), in particular those containing 10 to 30 oxyethylene groups (Ceteareth-10 to Ceteareth-30); ethylene oxide adducts with cetyl alcohol, in particular those containing 10 to 30 oxyethylene groups (Ceteareth-10 to Ceteareth-30); ethylene oxide adducts with stearyl alcohol, in particular those containing 10 to 30 oxyethylene groups (steareth-10 to steareth-30); ethylene oxide adducts with isostearyl alcohol, in particular those containing 10 to 50 oxyethylene groups (Isosteareth-10 to Isosteareth-50); and mixtures thereof.

[0223] As examples of non-ionic polyglycerol surfactants, C8-C40 polyglycerol alcohols are preferred.

[0224] In particular, C8-C40 polyglycerol alcohols correspond to the following formula:

[0225] RO-[CH2-CH(CH2OH)-O]mH or RO-[CH(CH2OH)-CH2O]mH

[0226] in which R represents an alkyl or alkenyl radical, linear or branched, in C8-C40 and preferably in C8-C30, and m represents a number from 1 to 30 and preferably from 1.5 to 10.

[0227] By way of examples of suitable compounds in the context of the invention, we may mention lauryl alcohol containing 4 moles of glycerol (INCI name: Polyglyceryl-4 Lauryl Ether), lauryl alcohol containing 1.5 moles of glycerol, oleyl alcohol containing 4 moles of glycerol (INCI name: Polyglyceryl-4 Oleyl Ether), oleyl alcohol containing 2 moles of glycerol (INCI name: Polyglyceryl-2 Oleyl Ether), cetearyl alcohol containing 2 moles of glycerol, cetearyl alcohol containing 6 moles of glycerol, oleocetyl alcohol containing 6 moles of glycerol, and octadecanol containing 6 moles of glycerol.

[0228] Alcohol can represent a mixture of alcohols in the same way that the value of m represents a statistical value, meaning that, in a commercial product, several species of polyglycerol fatty alcohol can coexist as a mixture.

[0229] According to one of the embodiments of the present invention, the nonionic surfactant can be selected from polyol esters with saturated or unsaturated chain fatty acids containing, for example, 8 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and their alkoxylated derivatives, preferably with an alkylene oxide number of 10 to 200, and even better from 10 to 100, such as glyceryl esters of one or more C8-C24 fatty acids, preferably C[2-C22], and their alkoxylated derivatives, preferably with an alkylene oxide number of 10 to 200, and even better from 10 to 100; polyethylene glycol esters of one or more C8-C24 fatty acids, preferably C2-C22, and their alkoxylated derivatives, preferably with 10 to 200 alkylene oxides, and even better 10 to 100; esters sorbitol of one or more C8-C24 fatty acids, preferably C12-C22, and their alkoxylated derivatives, preferably with 10 to 200 alkylene oxides, and better still from 10 to 100; sugar esters (sucrose, glucose, alkylglycose) of one or more C8-C24 fatty acids, preferably C12-C22, and their alkoxylated derivatives, preferably with 10 to 200 alkylene oxides, and better still from 10 to 100; fatty alcohol ethers; sugar ethers and one or more C8-C24 fatty alcohols, preferably C12-C22, and mixtures thereof.

[0230] Examples of ethoxylated fatty esters that may be mentioned include ethylene oxide adducts with esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid or behenic acid, and a mixture of the latter, in particular those containing 9 to 100 oxyethylene groups, such as PEG-9 to PEG-50 laurate; PEG-9 to PEG-50 palmitate; PEG-9 to PEG-50 stearate; PEG-9 to PEG-50 palmitostearate; PEG-9 to PEG-50 behenate; polyethylene glycol 100 EO monostearate and a mixture of the latter.

[0231] As examples of glyceryl esters of fatty acids, glyceryl stearate (glyceryl mono-, di- and / or tristearate) (glyceryl stearate) or glyceryl ricinoleate and mixtures thereof may be cited in particular.

[0232] Examples of glyceryl esters of C8-C24 alkoxylated fatty acids include polyethoxylated glyceryl stearate (glyceryl mono-, di- and / or tristearate) such as PEG-20 glyceryl stearate.

[0233] Mixtures of these surfactants, such as for example the product containing glyceryl stearate and PEG-100 stearate, marketed under the name ARLACEL 165 by Croda, and a product containing glyceryl stearate (glyceryl mono- and distearate) and potassium stearate, may also be used.

[0234] Sorbitol esters of C8-C24 fatty acids and their alkoxylated derivatives may be selected from sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan trioleate and alkoxylated fatty acid and sorbitan esters containing, for example, 20 to 100 EO, such as, for example, polyethylene sorbitan trioleate (polysorbate 85) or compounds marketed under the trade names Tween 20 or Tween 60 by Croda.

[0235] As esters of fatty acids and glucose or alkylglucose, in particular glucose palmitate, alkylglucose sesquistearates such as methylglucose sesquistearate, alkylglucose palmitates such as methylglucose or ethylglucose palmitate, fatty esters of methylglucoside and more particularly methylglucoside and oleic acid diester (methyl glucose dioleate), mixed ester of methylglucoside and oleic acid / hydroxystearic acid mixture (methyl glucose dioleate / hydroxystearate), methylglucoside and isostearic acid ester (methyl glucose isostearate), methylglucoside and lauric acid ester (laurate of methylglucose), the mixture of monoester and diester of methylglucoside and isostearic acid (methylglucose sesqui-isostearate), the mixture of monoester and diester of methylglucoside and stearic acid (methylglucose sesquistearate) and in particular the product marketed under the name Glucate SS by Lubrizol, as well as their mixtures, may be cited.

[0236] Examples of ethoxylated fatty acid and glucose or alkylglucose ethers include ethoxylated fatty acid and methylglucose ethers, and in particular polyethylene glycol ether of methylglucose and stearic acid diester with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide (PEG-20 methyl glucose distearate) such as the product marketed under the name Glucam E-20 distearate by Lubrizol, polyethylene glycol ether of the mixture of methyl glucose and stearic acid monoester and diester with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide (PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate) and in particular the product marketed under the name Glucamate SSE-20 by Lubrizol and their mixture.

[0237] Examples of sucrose esters include sucrose palmitostearate, sucrose stearate and sucrose monolaurate.

[0238] Alkyl polyglucosides may be used as sugar ethers, for example decyl glucoside such as the product marketed under the name MYDOL 10 by Kao Chemicals, the product marketed under the name PLATAREN 2000 by BASF, and the product marketed under the name ORAMIX NS 10 by Seppic; caprylyl / capryl glucoside such as the product marketed under the name ORAMIX CG 110 by Seppic or under the name LUTENSOL GD 70 by BASF; lauryl glucoside such as the products marketed under the names PLANTAREN 1200 N and PLANTACARE 1200 by BASF; coco-glucoside such as the product marketed under the name PLANTACARE 818 / UP by BASF; and cetostearyl glucoside, optionally in a mixture with cetostearyl alcohol, marketed, for example, under the name MONTANOV. 68 by Seppic, under the name TEGO-CARE CG90 by Evonik, arachidyl glucoside,For example, in the form of the mixture of arachidyl and behenyl alcohols and arachidyl glucoside marketed under the name MONTANOV 202 by Seppic, cocoylethyl glucoside, for example in the form of the mixture (35 / 65) with cetyl and stearyl alcohols, marketed under the name MONTANOV 82 by Seppic, and a mixture of the latter may be cited in particular.

[0239] Mixtures of alkoxylated vegetable oil glycerides such as ethoxylated mixtures of palm (200 EO) and coconut (7 EO) glycerides may also be cited.

[0240] The nonionic surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, PEG-20 methylglucoside sesquistearate, tri-isostearate of PEG-20 glyceryl, PG-5 dioleate, PG-4 diisostearate, PG-10 isostearate, PEG-8 isostearate and PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil.

[0241] Mixtures of these oxyethylenated derivatives of fatty alcohols and fatty esters may also be used.

[0242] In some cases, the nonionic surfactant is a fatty alkanolamide. Non-limiting examples of fatty alkanolamides that may be used include cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, sojamide DEA, lauramide DEA, oleamide MIPA, stearamide MEA, myristamide DEA, stearamide DEA, oleylamide DEA, suifamide DEA, lauramide MIPA, suifamide MEA, isostearamide DEA, isostearamide MEA, and a mixture thereof. Thickening agents

[0243] Thickening agents that may be mentioned include the following:

[0244] a. Homopolymer or copolymer based on a carboxylic acid or carboxylate, which These polymers can be linear or crosslinked: They contain one or more monomers derived from acrylic acid, substituted acrylic acids, and salts and esters of these acrylic acids (acrylates) and substituted acrylic acids. Commercially available polymers include those sold under the trade names Carbopol, Acrysol, Polygel, Sokalan, CarbopolUltrez, and Polygel. Examples of commercially available carboxylic acid polymers include carbomers, which are homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with allyl ethers of sucrose or pentaerythritol. Carbomers are available in BF Goodrich's Carbopol 900 series (e.g., Carbopol 954). In addition, other suitable carboxylic acid polymeric agents include Ultrez 10 (BFGoodrich) and C10-30 alkyl acrylate copolymers with one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or one of their short-chain esters (i.e., a Cl-4 alcohol), wherein the crosslinking agent is an allyl ether of sucrose or pentaerythritol. These copolymers are known as C10-C30 acrylate / alkyl acrylate crosslinked polymers and are commercially available under the names Carbopol 1342, Carbopol 1382, Pemulen TR-1, and Pemulen TR-2, from BF Goodrich.

[0245] Other suitable polymeric carboxylic acid or carboxylate agents include C5-C10 alkyl acrylic acid-acrylate copolymers, acrylic acid-maleic anhydride copolymers, and polyacrylate crosslinked polymer-6. Polyacrylate crosslinked polymer-6 is available in the raw material known as Seppic's SEPIMAX ZEN.

[0246] Another suitable carboxylic acid or carboxylate polymeric agent includes the acrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride / acrylates copolymer, a copolymer cationic acrylates (or a quaternary ammonium compound), available as a raw material known as SIMULQUAT HC 305 from Seppic.

[0247] In some embodiments, the polymer thickeners of carboxylic acid or carboxylate useful here are those selected from carbomers, C10-C30 alkyl acrylate / acrylate crosslinked polymers, polyacrylate crosslinked polymer-6, acrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride / acrylates copolymer, and mixtures thereof.

[0248] b. Celluloses: Non-limiting examples of celluloses include cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose acetate propionate carboxylate, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methyl hydroxyethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In some cases, the cellulose is selected from water-soluble cellulose derivatives (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium salt of cellulose sulfate). In addition, in some cases, the cellulose is preferably hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC).

[0249] c. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and copolymers: Non-limiting examples include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) / vinyl acetate copolymer (PVP / VA copolymer), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) / eicosene copolymer, PVP / hexadecene copolymer, etc. Commercially available polyvinylpyrrolidone includes Luviskol K30, K85, K90 available from BASF. Commercially available vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate copolymers include Luviskol VA37, VA64 available from BASF; The vinylpyrrolidone, methacrylamide, and vinylimidazole copolymer (INCI: VP / Methacrylamide / Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer) is commercially available under the name Luviset from BASF. In some cases, PVP and the PVP / VA copolymer are preferred.

[0250] d. Sucrose esters: Non-limiting examples include the following compounds; sucrose palmitate, sucrose cocoate, sucrose monooctanoate, sucrose monodecanoate, sucrose mono- or dilaurate, sucrose monomyristate, sucrose mono- or dipalmitate, sucrose mono- and distearate, sucrose mono-, di- or trioleate, sucrose mono- or dilinoleate, sucrose pentaoleate, sucrose hexaoleate, sucrose heptaoleate or sucrose octooleate, and mixed esters, such as sucrose palmitate / stearate and mixtures thereof.

[0251] e. Polyglyceryl esters: Non-limiting polyglycerol esters (polyglyceryl esters) of fatty acids include those of the following formula: OR2 < f <3 R^(OCH2-CH-CH2O)n-R3

[0252] in which n is between 2 and 20 or between 2 and 10 or between 2 and 5, or is equal to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, and R1, R2 and R3 can each independently be a fatty acid fraction or hydrogen, provided that at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fatty acid fraction. For example, R1, R2 and R3 can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, and have a length in Ci-C40, Ci-C30, Ci-C25, or Cr C2O, Ci-Ci6, or Ci-CiO. In addition, non-limiting examples of non-ionic polyglycerol esters of fatty acids include polyglyceryl-4 caprylate / caprate, polyglyceryl-10 caprylate / caprate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-10 caprate, polyglyceryl-4 laurate, polyglyceryl-5 laurate, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 cocoate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, and mixtures thereof.

[0253] f. C8-24 hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic acid and C8-24 conjugated aliphatic acid: Non-limiting examples include conjugated linoleic acid, cis-parinaric acid, trans-7-octadecenoic acid, cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexenoic acid, columbinic acid, linolenalaidic acid, ricinolaic acid, stearidonic acid, 2-hydroxystearic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid, linolelaidic acid, monopetroselinic acid, petroselinic acid, ricinoleic acid, trans-vaccenic acid, cis-ll,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid, cis-5-eicosenoic acid, cis-8,ll,14-eicosatrienoic acid, hexadecatrienoic acid, palmitoleic acid, petroselaidic acid, trans trans farnesol, cis-13,16-docosadienoic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, cis-ll-eicosenoic acid, cis-13,16,19-docosatrienoic acid,cis-13-octadecenoic acid, cis-15-octadecanoic acid, cis-7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid, elaidic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, geranoic acid, geranylgeranoic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, pinolenic acid, trans-13-octadecenoic acid. Even better, aliphatic acid includes 12-hydroxystearic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, or a mixture thereof.

[0254] g. Gums: Non-limiting examples of gums include gum arabic, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, guar gum, gellan gum, tara gum, locust bean gum, tamarind gum, xanthan gum, carob gum, Seneca gum, sclerotium gum, gellan gum, etc.

[0255] Various modifications can be made to the compositions and processes described above without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is

[0256] provided that any disclosure contained in the above description and in the examples given below shall be interpreted in an illustrative and not limiting sense. Example 1 (Reducing compositions) ABCDEFG % by weight (a) Sulfur-containing reducing agent: AMMONIUM THIOGLYCOLATE 14.0, THIOGLYCOLIC ACID 10, SODIUM METABISULFITE 20, SODIUM SULFITE 10, THIOLACTIC ACID 10, CALCIUM THIOGLYCOLATE 5 (c) Anionic surfactant: SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE 1.45, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE 1.7, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE 1.7, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE 1.7 (d) Thickening agent: HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE 0.7, XANTHANE GUM 0.7 (e) pH adjuster: CITRIC ACID 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 (f) Miscellaneous Chelating agents, preservatives, pH adjusters, perfumes, etc. <5 < 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 (b) WATER 87 77.4 87.4 83.2 87.4 87 92 Example 2 (Alkalizing composition) X wt% (a) Organic alkalizing agent MONOETHANOLAMINE (MEA) 10 (b) Water WATER QS 100 (c) Miscellaneous Chelating agents, preservatives, pH adjusters, perfumes, etc. <5 Example 3 (Essays)

[0258] Tests were conducted to investigate the removal of color from artificially colored hair using a reducing composition, an alkalizing composition, and both a reducing and an alkalizing composition. Two types of hair strands were used in the tests: (1) strands of 90% natural gray hair and (2) strands of 90% permed gray hair. The hair strands were colored using two commercially available oxidative hair dyes, which differed in the color imparted to the hair: Ash Blue and Brown / Red.

[0259] Colored hair strands were treated with a reducing composition from Example 1, the alkalizing composition from Example 2, or both. In addition, the hair strands were treated with a commercially available reference product designed to remove color from oxidatively colored hair. The hair strands treated with the commercially available reference product served as the "treated control." Uncolored and colored hair strands were used as the "control" and "colored control," respectively.

[0260] To determine the degree of change in hair color and / or the degree of color lightening or the degree of color deposition on the hair, colorimetric measurements of the L*, a*, and b* values ​​of the hair strands were obtained. The L*a*b* colorimetric system is a colorimetric system that assigns each color a position in a spherical color space. In this color space, lightness is represented by a position in the ordinate direction (z-axis), hue is represented by a position in the circumferential direction, and chroma is represented by a distance from the central axis. The position on the ordinate (z-axis) representing lightness is designated by L*, and the L* value ranges from 0, corresponding to black, to 100, corresponding to white. The direction The positive direction of the x-axis corresponds to a red direction, the positive direction of the y-axis corresponds to a yellow direction, the negative direction of the x-axis corresponds to a green direction, the negative direction of the y-axis corresponds to a blue direction, and the position on the x-axis is designated by a* whose value varies from -60 to +60 and the position on the y-axis is designated by b* whose value varies from -60 to +60. The hue and the chroma are represented by the value a* and the value b*, respectively.

[0261] Thus, the higher the L* value, the lighter or less intense the hair color. Conversely, the lower the L* value, the darker or more intense the hair color (this can also indicate a greater deposit of color when the hair is colored or dyed). The a* value (green / red color axis) and the b* value (blue / yellow color axis) represent the hue and the chroma, respectively. The higher the a* value, the more the hue shifts toward red (i.e., the redder the hair); and the lower the b* value, the more the chroma shifts toward blue.

[0262] The results of the tests are presented in the following tables.

[0263] [Tables 1] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Reduction Step Only (90% Natural Gray Hair) (Figure 1) LAB 90% Natural Gray Control 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored Control 6.49 1.37 0.03 Reference Control 7.50 2.32 0.92 C 26.88 7.48 19.73 B 31.96 6.54 24.87 D 10.30 3.52 -1.73 E 35.75 7.32 22.63 F 47.65 13.82 19.98 G 10.75 4.68 2.36

[0264] [Tables2] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Reduction Step & Alkalization Step (90% Natural Gray Hair) (Figure 2) LAB 90% Natural Gray Control 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored Control 6.49 1.37 0.03 Reference Control 7.50 2.32 0.92 C 34.04 4.25 15.19 B 34.94 3.87 18.98 D 20.59 5.04 5.18 E 34.36 3.76 12.58 F 33.01 5.15 13.17 G 29.08 9.08 20.69

[0265] [Tables3] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Alkalinization Step & Reduction Step (90% Natural Gray Hair) LAB 90% Natural Gray Control 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored Control 6.49 1.37 0.03 Reference Control 7.50 2.32 0.92 C 40.99 7.72 26.73 G 12.88 5.41 2.40

[0266] [Tables4] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Reduction Step Only vs. Alkalinization Step Only (90% Natural Gray Hair) (Figure 3) LAB Control 90% Natural Gray 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored Control 6.49 1.37 0.03 X 7.21 1.14 0.96 C 26.88 7.48 19.73 c + x 40.99 7.72 26.73

[0267] [Tables5] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Reduction Step Only (90% Permed Gray Hair) (Figure 4) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored Control 5.90 1.64 0.20 Treated Control 14.53 24.62 15.41 C 42.18 7.98 19.12 B 43.02 8.73 19.37 D 8.75 4.49 -4.65 E 43.47 11.09 26.15 F 47.16 9.55 22.96 G 26.46 5.64 14.92

[0268] [Tableauxô] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Reduction Step & Alkalization Step (90% Permed Gray Hair) (Figure 5) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored Control 5.90 1.64 0.20 Treated Control 14.53 24.62 15.41 C 42.18 4.60 14.33 B 43.98 4.01 15.60 D 38.01 3.59 15.10 E 40.03 2.21 14.91 F 39.71 3.18 13.03 G 31.29 5.68 13.90

[0269] [Tables?] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Alkalinization Step & Reduction Step (90% Permed Gray Hair) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored Control 5.90 1.64 0.20 Treated Control 14.53 24.62 15.41 C 44.30 8.69 18.03 G 16.40 5.48 4.02

[0270] [Tables8] Color Removal (Ash Blue) - Reduction Step Only vs. Alkalinization Step Only (90% Permed Gray Hair) (Figure 6) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored Control 5.90 1.64 0.20 X 7.21 1.14 0.96 C 42.18 7.98 19.12 c + x 44.30 8.69 18.03

[0271] [Tables9] Color Removal L* vs. b* (Brown / Red) - Reduction Step Only (90% Natural Gray Hair) (Figure 7) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored Control 12.97 15.65 8.27 Treated Control 39.81 21.24 44.22 C 26.11 21.54 22.49 F 39.93 18.25 34.02

[0272] [TableauxlO] Color Removal L* vs. b* (Brown / Red) - Reduction and Alkalization Steps (90% Natural Gray Hair) (Figure 8) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored Control 12.97 15.65 8.27 Treated Control 39.81 21.24 44.22 C 31.88 20.48 26.53 F 38.59 19.31 31.92

[0273] [Tables II] Color Removal L* vs. b* (Brown / Red) - Reduction step only vs. alkalization step only (90% natural gray hair) (Figure 9) LAB Control 90% permed gray 62.50 2.96 20.75 Colored control 12.97 15.65 8.27 X 15.56 15.90 9.72 C 26.11 21.54 22.49 x + c 31.88 50.48 26.53

[0274] [Tables 12] Color Removal L* vs. b* (Brown / Red) - Reduction Step Only (90% Permed Gray Hair) (Figure 10) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored Control 9.02 8.12 3.62 Treated Control 51.09 26.82 57.77 C 23.33 23.01 20.51 F 39.86 19.03 33.22

[0275] [Tables 13] Color Removal L* vs. b* (Brown / Red) - Reduction and Alkalinization Steps (90% Permed Gray Hair) (Figure 11) LAB Control 90% Permed Gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored Control 9.02 8.12 3.62 Treated Control 51.09 26.82 57.77 C 35.00 19.20 25.32 F 45.53 15.32 32.58

[0276] [Tables 14] Color Removal L* vs. b* (Brown / Red) - Reduction step only vs. alkalization step only (90% permed gray hair) (Figure 12) LAB Control 90% permed gray 65.28 1.39 15.17 Colored control 9.02 8.12 3.62 X 10.81775 12.04352 5.806676 C 23.33 23.01 20.51 x + c 35.00 19.20 25.32

[0277] The results show that when a reducing composition is used in conjunction with an alkalizing composition, the artificial color is removed to a surprising extent. The results also show that the combination of treatments is better than each individual treatment used alone and is better than a commercially available product specifically designed to remove the color from artificially colored hair. Definitions

[0278] The term “hair and / or body hair” as used herein includes head hair, beard hair, moustache hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair, unless otherwise specified.

[0279] As used herein, the terms "comprising", "having" and "including" are used in their broad and non-limiting sense.

[0280] The term "oil" is used here to refer to an organic compound that is insoluble in water at room temperature (25 °C) and atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg), namely, it has a water solubility of less than 5% by weight, or less than 1% by weight, or less than 0.1% by weight. The oils have in their structure a chain of at least two siloxane groups or at least one hydrocarbon chain comprising at least six carbon atoms. Furthermore, the oils are generally soluble in organic solvents under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, for example, in chloroform, ethanol, benzene, or decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. In addition, the oils are liquid at room temperature (25 °C) and atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). The oils preferably do not contain carboxylic acid functional groups, namely, they do not contain -COOH or -COO- groups.As described throughout the disclosure, fatty alcohols are independent of fatty compounds and oils; that is, even if a fatty alcohol is present in the compositions of this disclosure, the compositions may nevertheless be free or substantially free of fatty compounds. of oils (since fatty alcohols are not included in the definition of fatty compounds and oils).

[0281] The term "transparent" in relation to a transparent composition indicates that the composition has a transmittance of at least 80% at a wavelength of 600 nm, measured, for example, using a UV-visible Lambda 40 spectrometer. Compositions may have, for example, a transmittance of at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% at a wavelength of 600 nm, measured, for example, using a UV-visible Lambda 40 spectrometer. The term "clear" is interchangeable with the term "transparent" for the purposes of this disclosure. A person can typically see through a transparent composition, for example, and read the text on the other side of a clear glass or clear plastic bottle containing the composition.

[0282] The term "translucent" in relation to a translucent composition indicates that the composition has a transmittance of at least 50% at a wavelength of 600 nm, measured, for example, using a Lambda 40 UV-visible spectrometer. A person is unlikely to be able to see through a translucent composition, for example, and read the text on the other side of a clear glass or clear plastic bottle containing the composition. Instead, the text is usually blurry and difficult, if not impossible, to read; however, motion and structure can normally be identified.

[0283] An “opaque” composition is a composition that is not transparent or translucent.

[0284] In the context of this disclosure, a “composition colorant” is a compound that colors the composition but does not have an appreciable coloring effect on hair. In other words, the composition colorant is included to provide color to the composition for aesthetic appeal, which is not intended to impart coloring properties to hair. Hair gels, for example, may come in a variety of different colors (e.g., light blue, light pink, etc.), but applying the hair gel to the hair does not change the hair color.

[0285] Throughout the disclosure, the phrase "a mixture of these" is used, following a list of items as shown in the following example where the letters A through F represent the items: "one or more items selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, and a mixture of these." The phrase "a mixture of these" does not require that the mixture include all of the items A, B, C, D, E, and F (although all of the items A, B, C, D, E, and F may be included). Rather, it indicates that a mixture of two or more of the items A, B, C, D, E, and F may be included. In other words, it is equivalent to the wording "one or more items selected in the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, and a mixture of two or more of A, B, C, D, E and F.

[0286] Similarly, the expression "a salt of it" also refers to "salts of it." Thus, when the disclosure refers to "a selected element from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt of these, or a mixture of these," it indicates that one or more of A, B, C, D, and F may be included, one or more of a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included, or a mixture of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included.

[0287] The expression "one or more" means "at least one" and therefore includes individual components as well as mixtures / combinations.

[0288] Except in operational examples, or unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients and / or reaction conditions may in all cases be modified by the term "approximately", meaning to within + / - 5% the number indicated.

[0289] Some of the various identified component categories may overlap. In cases where an overlap may exist and the composition includes both components (or the composition includes more than two overlapping components), an overlapping component does not represent more than one component. For example, a fatty acid may be considered both an emulsifier and a fatty compound. If a particular composition includes both an emulsifier and a fatty compound, a single fatty acid will serve only as an emulsifier or only as a fatty compound (the single fatty acid does not serve as both an emulsifier and a fatty compound).

[0290] The salts referred to throughout the disclosure may include salts containing a counterion such as an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or an ammonium counterion. However, this list of counterions is not exhaustive.

[0291] The term "treat" (and its grammatical variations) is used here to refer to the application of the compositions of this disclosure to the surface of keratinous substrates such as hair.

[0292] As used herein, all provided ranges are intended to include each specific range within the given ranges, as well as a combination of intermediate subranges. Thus, a range of 1 to 5 specifically includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as subranges such as 2-5, 3-5, 2-3, 2-4, 1-4, etc. All ranges and values ​​disclosed herein are inclusive and combinable. For example, any value or point described herein that falls within a range described herein can serve as a minimum or maximum value to derive a subrange, etc.

[0293] All components positively presented in this disclosure may be negatively excluded from the claims; for example, a claimed composition may be "free," "substantially free" (or "substantially free") of one or more components that are positively presented in this disclosure. By way of example, silicones may optionally be included in the compositions, but preferably the compositions are free or substantially free of silicones. Silicones are synthetic polymers consisting of repeating units of elemental siloxane, silicon, and oxygen, combined with other elements, most often carbon and hydrogen. Silicones are therefore also called polysiloxanes.

[0294] The expression "substantially free" or "essentially free" as used herein means that less than about 2% by weight of a specific material is added to a composition, relative to the total weight of the compositions. However, the compositions may include less than about 1% by weight, less than about 0.5% by weight, less than about 0.1% by weight, or none of the specified material. All components shown herein may optionally be included or excluded from the compositions / process / requirements. When excluded, the compositions / processes / requirements may be free or essentially free of the component. For example, a particular composition may be free or essentially free of alkoxylated compounds, e.g., ethoxylated thickeners and / or ethoxylated surfactants. Similarly, a particular composition may be free or essentially free of sulfates, such as sulfate surfactants.

Claims

Demands

1. A process for removing color from oxidatively colored hair comprising: (i) applying a reducing composition to hair that has been colored with oxidative dyes, the reducing composition comprising: (a) one or more reducing agents selected from glycerol monothiolactate, ammonium thiolactate, MEA thiolactate, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, glycerol 3-mercaptopropionate, ethylene glycol 3-mercaptopropionate, cysteamine, N-acetylcysteamine, N-propionylcysteamine, cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, N-alcanoylcysteine, alkyl esters of cysteine, homocysteine, ethanolamine thioglycolate, glyceryl thioglycolate, glutathione, thioglycerol, thiomalic acid, thiodiglycol, 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreol, thioxanthine, thiosalicylic acid, thiopropionic acid, lipoic acid, a salt of these, and a combination thereof; and (b) water;in which the reducing composition is free from oxidative dye precursors; (II) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair; (III) applying an alkalizing composition to the hair, the alkalizing composition comprising: (a) one or more organic alkalizing agents, preferably one or more alkanolamines, and more preferably selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol, and 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and a combination thereof; and (b) water; and (IV) rinsing the reducing composition from the hair and optionally shampooing the hair; in which (I) and (II) can be carried out before (III) and (IV) or (III) and (IV) can be carried out before (I) and (II);the process removes the color from dyed hair; and; the process does not involve treating the hair with an oxidizing agent.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing composition comprises 2 to 35% by weight of one or more reducing agents, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing composition further comprises: (c) one or more surfactants, preferably wherein the one or more surfactants include one or more anionic surfactants.

4. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reducing composition further comprises: (d) one or more thickening agents, wherein the one or more thickening agents are selected from crosslinked polyacrylate polymers including crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, cationic acrylate copolymers, anionic acrylic or carboxylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, polysaccharides, gums, polyquatemiums, vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers / copolymers, a C8-24 hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic acid, a C8-24 conjugated aliphatic acid, sugar fatty esters, polyglyceryl esters, and mixtures thereof.

5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reducing composition comprises: (a) 2 to 20 wt% of one or more sulfur-containing reducing agents selected from alkaline earth metal sulfites, ammonium sulfites, thiol-based compounds, their salts and combinations thereof; (b) 60 to 95 wt% of water; (c) 0.5 to 8 wt% of one or more anionic surfactants; and (d) 0.1 to 5 wt% of one or more thickening agents; wherein all wt%s are based on a total wt% of the reducing composition.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reducing composition remains on the hair after application to the hair in (I) for 5 to 60 minutes before being rinsed from the hair in (II); and the alkalizing composition remains on the hair after application to the hair (III) for 5 to 60 minutes before being rinsed from the hair in (IV).

7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reducing composition has a pH between 2 and 6 and the alkalizing composition has a pH between 9 and 12.

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