Depilatory Kit with Hydrophobic Copolymer Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current depilatory compositions cause skin irritation due to the long residence time and alkaline conditions required for effective hair removal, which existing lipophilic materials fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A depilatory kit comprising a protective composition with a copolymer containing hydrophobic side-groups and a depilatory composition with a thioglycolate acid salt, where the protective composition significantly reduces the penetration of thioglycolate into the skin, thereby minimizing irritation while allowing hair removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a depilatory composition with high pH and keratin reducing agents is used to achieve effective hair removal, then hair removal effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation increases due to long residence time and alkaline conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective composition as an intermediary layer between the skin and the depilatory composition. This protective composition contains film-forming polymers that create a physical barrier, allowing the depilatory composition to work on hair while reducing direct contact with skin, thus maintaining hair removal effectiveness while decreasing skin irritation
Solution Approach 2:
The protective composition forms a flexible film on the skin surface that acts as a barrier. This thin film allows the depilatory composition to penetrate and act on hair structures while preventing excessive penetration into skin layers, thereby reducing skin irritation while maintaining depilatory effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lipophilic materials such as oils are used as pre-treatment to prevent thioglycolate penetration, then skin protection is improved, but the ability to prevent penetration is insufficient as oils have no or low ability to block thioglycolate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the protective composition by using film-forming polymers with specific molecular weights and functional groups rather than simple oils. This parameter change creates a more effective barrier that can reliably prevent thioglycolate penetration while still allowing the depilatory composition to function on hair
Solution Approach 2:
The protective composition is formulated as a composite material containing multiple components including film-forming polymers, emollients, and other functional ingredients. This composite structure provides superior penetration prevention compared to single-component oils while maintaining skin compatibility and comfort
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 use of the protective composition results in a 45% or more reduction in thioglycolic acid penetration, correlating to a noticeable decrease in skin irritation, while still enabling effective hair weakening and removal.
Implementation Method 1
the copolymer comprising at least 50% by weight of the copolymer of monomers which have hydrophobic side-groups
Data Source
AI summary
A depilatory kit is provided, comprising: (a) a protective composition, the protective composition comprising from 1% to 50% copolymer by weight of the protective composition, the copolymer comprising at least 50% by weight of the copolymer of monomers which have hydrophobic side-groups, each hydrophobic side-group comprising from 8 to 40 carbon atoms. (b) a depilatory composition comprising an effective amount of a keratin reducing agent.