Amino Acid Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment for Mineral Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hair tends to absorb minerals and metal salts from water, leading to undesirable changes in cosmetic properties and increased damage, such as dryness, loss of sheen, and premature breakage, due to the formation of chemical bonds with negatively charged fibers.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a pre-shampoo composition containing amino acids and hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids, followed by a washing composition with anionic and/or amphoteric surfactants, to remove these minerals and strengthen the hair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional washing compositions are used, then hair can be cleaned, but mineral accumulation occurs leading to hair damage and loss of cosmetic properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of washing processVSAvoidmineral accumulation and hair damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a pre-shampoo composition containing amino acids and hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids before the washing step. This preliminary action chelates metal ions and prevents mineral accumulation on the hair, addressing the harmful effects before conventional washing occurs. The treatment is performed in advance to protect the hair from damage during the subsequent washing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces amino acids and hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids as intermediary substances that mediate between the harmful metal ions in water and the hair fiber. These intermediaries chelate metal ions through their functional groups, preventing direct interaction between minerals and hair, thus protecting the hair while allowing conventional washing to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pre-shampoo treatment with amino acids and hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids is applied, then hair resistance to breakage and conditioning properties are improved, but the treatment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair resistance to breakageVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional ingredients (amino acids and hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids) into a single pre-shampoo treatment composition. This merging of functions allows the product to simultaneously chelate metal ions, condition the hair, and improve breakage resistance, simplifying the overall treatment approach while maintaining multiple benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-shampoo composition serves multiple functions: it chelates metal ions to prevent mineral accumulation, conditions the hair through amino acid penetration, and improves mechanical properties by reducing breakage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate treatments while addressing multiple hair concerns simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Improves hair resistance to breakage, strengthens the hair, and enhances conditioning properties by reducing the negative effects of mineral accumulation, particularly copper and calcium ions, resulting in smoother, softer, and shinier hair.

Implementation Method 1

a stage (i) of application to the hair of a cosmetic composition comprising: at least 0.5% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the composition, of one or more compounds of amino acids type and one or more hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

a stage (ii) of washing said hair, comprising the application of a washing cosmetic composition comprising one or more anionic and/or amphoteric surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

the accumulation of the metal (iron, copper, for example) salts can accelerate the damage caused to the hair because they catalyse oxidation/reduction reactions and generate hydroxyl radicals HO° which can be harmful to the keratin fibre

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20250325461A1Hair treatment method comprising the application of a composition comprising amino acids and hydroxylated (POLY)carboxylic acids, followed by washing the hair, and use as a pre-shampoo

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the cosmetic treatment of the hair, comprising:a stage (i) of application to the hair of a cosmetic composition comprising one or more compounds of amino acids type and one or more hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids comprising from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and/or their salts, thena stage (ii) of washing said hair, comprising the application of a washing cosmetic composition comprising one or more anionic and/or amphoteric surfactants, the washing stage (ii) taking place at most 60 minutes after stage (i).The invention also relates to the use of said composition comprising one or more compounds of amino acids type and one or more hydroxylated (poly)carboxylic acids comprising from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and/or their salts, as pre-shampoo.