Cationic Acrylic Copolymer Hair Styling Composition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing styling products for hair lack durability and safety, as they either provide temporary hold that requires frequent reapplication or irreversible modifications that damage the hair, and they often generate static electricity.
Innovation Solution
A non-dyeing composition comprising cationic acrylic copolymers and conditioning agents, such as functionalized silicones and cationic polymers, that form a persistent coating on hair fibers, providing long-lasting styling effects without damaging the hair and reducing static electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If long-lasting shape products are used to permanently modify hair structure by breaking disulfide bonds, then the styling effect durability is improved, but the hair fiber integrity deteriorates and becomes sensitized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the styling composition by using cationic acrylic copolymers with specific monomer ratios (at least 80% acrylic or methacrylic esters/amides and at most 20% alkyl acrylate/methacrylate) and controlling the cationic group content (0.1-5 mmol/g). This parameter optimization allows the polymer to form durable styling effects through electrostatic interactions without the need for bond-breaking chemistry, thus avoiding hair damage while maintaining long-lasting effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material strategy by combining cationic acrylic copolymers with conditioning agents (such as silicones, cationic polymers, or cationic surfactants) in specific proportions (0.1-10% conditioning agent relative to polymer). This composite formulation creates a synergistic effect where the cationic polymer provides durable styling through electrostatic binding to negatively charged hair surfaces, while the conditioning agent protects hair integrity and reduces static electricity, resolving the contradiction between durability and damage.
2Reliability
If styling products are applied frequently to maintain hairstyle, then the styling effect is maintained, but the time and effort required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by formulating a composition that pre-optimizes the polymer structure and composition to maximize styling durability from the first application. The cationic acrylic copolymer with specific molecular weight (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol) and cationic group content is designed to provide long-lasting effects that persist through multiple shampoo washes, eliminating the need for frequent reapplication and reducing the time and effort invested in styling maintenance.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If irreversible styling products are used to achieve permanent wave, then the styling durability is improved, but the hair fiber becomes more vulnerable to degradation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adopts a reversible, non-damaging approach analogous to using temporary but safe solutions rather than permanent but harmful ones. The cationic acrylic copolymer forms a reversible coating on the hair surface through electrostatic interactions, providing durable styling that can be removed by shampooing without causing cumulative damage. This replaces irreversible bond-breaking chemistry with a safer, reversible mechanism that maintains hair strength while achieving long-lasting effects.
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 offers durable styling properties that last through multiple shampoo washes, is easy to use, and maintains hair integrity, while preventing static electricity and allowing for easy removal.
Implementation Method 1
a combination of one or more particular cationic acrylic polymers and one or more particular conditioning agents makes it possible to generate coating around the fibre which affords the desired styling properties, while at the same time being friendly to the fibre. What is more, this coating is persistent with respect to shampooing.
Implementation Method 2
one or more cationic acrylic copolymers comprising at least the units obtained from the following monomers: a) monomer derived from acrylic or methacrylic esters or amides and comprising at least one cationic or cationizable group
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-dyeing composition comprising: (i) one or more cationic acrylic copolymers comprising at least the units obtained from the following monomers: a) monomer derived from acrylic or methacrylic esters or amides and comprising at least one cationic group, and b) alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer, the alkyl radical comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 22 carbon atoms, better still 1 to 10 carbon atoms and preferentially 2 to 6 carbon atoms. and (ii) one or more conditioning agents chosen from functionalized silicones, cationic polymers and cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.