Chelant Hair Conditioner for Copper Removal and Color Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair care compositions are ineffective in inhibiting the deposition of copper and other transition metal salts on hair, which can cause damage through redox reactions and interfere with hair coloring treatments, and traditional chelating agents like EDDS can destabilize conditioners containing cationic surfactants.
Innovation Solution
A hair conditioner composition comprising 0.005% to 5% chelants with specific molecular structures and logK ML > 6, 0.1% to 20% high melting point fatty compounds, 0.1% to 10% cationic surfactants, and 75% to 98% aqueous carrier, designed to inhibit and remove copper and other transition metal salts while maintaining stability with cationic surfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional chelating agents like EDDS are used to sequester redox metals, then copper and other transition metal salts can be removed from hair, but the chelant competitively binds calcium and magnesium, reducing effectiveness, and stability problems occur for conditioners containing cationic surfactants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the chelant by selecting compounds with specific molecular structures (formula I with defined n, m, Y, Z values) and physical properties (logK ML > 6, log P between -5 to 2, molecular weight 50 to 500). These parameter changes enable the chelant to selectively bind copper while maintaining compatibility with cationic surfactants, resolving the stability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specially designed chelant compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between copper removal and cationic surfactant stability. This chelant acts as a selective binder for copper ions while maintaining compatibility with the cationic surfactant system, preventing the instability problems associated with traditional chelants like EDDS.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chelants are used to inhibit mineral deposition on hair, then copper and other transition metal salts can be sequestered, but the chelants also competitively bind calcium and magnesium salts, reducing overall effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chelant's binding characteristics by selecting compounds with specific logK ML values (> 6 for copper) and molecular structures. This parameter optimization enables selective binding of copper ions while minimizing competitive binding of calcium and magnesium, achieving high selectivity for the target metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing chelants with specific functional groups and molecular structures that create localized high affinity binding sites for copper ions. The molecular structure (formula I with specific Y and Z groups) provides selective interaction with copper while maintaining neutrality toward calcium and magnesium binding.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transition metal ions are present in hair, then redox reactions can occur during hair coloring treatments and UV exposure, but these reactions generate reactive oxygen species that cause damage to hair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the chelant to pre-sequester copper and other transition metal ions from the hair surface and interior before they can participate in redox reactions. This preventive chelation blocks the formation of reactive oxygen species during subsequent hair coloring and UV exposure, preventing damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful presence of transition metal ions into a beneficial outcome by using chelation to remove these ions. The chelant binds copper and other metals that would otherwise cause redox damage, transforming them into stable, non-reactive complexes that are then removed from hair, thereby eliminating the harmful redox chemistry.
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 prevents mineral deposition, reduces redox reactions, and maintains the stability of cationic surfactants, enhancing hair conditioning and color uptake.
Implementation Method 1
using chelants to sequester trace redox metals
Implementation Method 2
one or more high melting point fatty compounds
Implementation Method 3
a cationic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a hair conditioner composition and methods of using the same, the hair conditioner composition including an effective chelant. The hair conditioner composition further includes one or more high melting point fatty compounds and a cationic surfactant. A method of inhibiting copper deposition on hair and facilitating the removal of copper deposited on hair comprises applying the conditioner composition to the hair and rinsing it from the hair. Exemplary copper chelants include 2,3-triethylenetetramine (TETA).