Alkaline Composition for Hair Dyeing Reduces Odor and Fiber Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hair dye and bleaching compositions containing high levels of aqueous ammonia cause unpleasant odors and can damage keratin fibers, while maintaining effectiveness is a challenge.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising arginine, silicates, alkanolamines, and optionally aqueous ammonia or ammonia-generating compounds, which reduces odors and minimizes fiber damage during hair dyeing and bleaching processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high contents of aqueous ammonia are used in alkaline compositions, then the effectiveness of hair dyeing and bleaching is improved, but strong unpleasant odours are generated and keratin fibres are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of hair dyeing and bleachingVSAvoidstrong unpleasant odours
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the alkaline agent component by using a combination of three different alkaline agents (arginine, silicates, and alkanolamines) instead of relying on a single high-concentration aqueous ammonia. This segmentation allows each agent to contribute to the overall effectiveness while individually producing less unpleasant odor, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and odor generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite alkaline system combining arginine, silicates, and alkanolamines in specific proportions. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that maintains or enhances the dyeing and bleaching effectiveness while significantly reducing the strong unpleasant odor characteristic of high-concentration aqueous ammonia formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high contents of aqueous ammonia are used in alkaline compositions, then the effectiveness of hair dyeing and bleaching is improved, but the integrity of keratin fibres is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of hair dyeing and bleachingVSAvoiddetrimental changes in keratin fibres
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alkaline function is segmented across three different agents with varying properties. Arginine provides alkalinity with conditioning benefits, silicates offer gentle alkalinity and film-forming properties, and alkanolamines provide controlled alkalinity. This segmentation reduces the harsh impact on keratin fibres while maintaining overall treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composite alkaline system creates a balanced formulation where the combined effects of arginine, silicates, and alkanolamines provide sufficient alkalinity for effective dyeing and bleaching while the diverse chemical properties of the three agents work synergistically to protect keratin fibre integrity, reducing detrimental changes compared to single-agent high-concentration ammonia systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If conventional alkaline agents are used, then the dyeing process is accelerated, but strong unpleasant odours are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of hair dyeing processVSAvoidstrong unpleasant odours
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alkaline function is divided among three agents that collectively provide the necessary pH elevation for rapid dye oxidation and color development. This segmentation maintains the productivity benefits of strong alkalinity while distributing the odor-generating potential across agents with different odor profiles, reducing the overall unpleasant odor sensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composite alkaline formulation combines agents with complementary properties that accelerate the dyeing process through synergistic effects. The combination provides sufficient alkalinity for rapid color development while the specific composition reduces odor generation compared to conventional single-agent systems, achieving both fast processing and improved sensory acceptance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition effectively reduces unpleasant odors and maintains the integrity of keratin fibers during hair dyeing and bleaching, achieving intense coloring and effective bleaching without detrimental effects.

Implementation Method 1

In order to accelerate the process for the dyeing of the hair, the process is generally carried out in the presence of alkaline agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlkaline treatment:

Data Source

PatentUS11883512B2Alkaline composition comprising at least three different alkaline agents for the treatment of keratin fibres, methods and uses
Publication Date: 2024.01.30 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising arginine, at least one silicate, at least one alkanolamine, and optionally aqueous ammonia and/or at least one compound which generates aqueous ammonia. The composition further comprises at least one thickening agent chosen from non-associative cellulose polymers, anionic associative polymers, non-ionic associative polymers, and their mixtures. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of keratin fibres, in particular human keratin fibres, such as the hair, comprising the application of at least one composition according to the invention; and also to the use of the composition according to the invention for the treatment of said keratin fibres, and in particular for the oxidation dyeing and/or the bleaching of the latter.