Dextran Polymer Hair Conditioning Formulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new hair conditioning agents that are silicone-free and have a higher natural origin index, as conventional silicone-based conditioners raise environmental and toxicity concerns, and existing alternatives do not adequately provide conditioning benefits.
Innovation Solution
A hair conditioning formulation using a dextran polymer functionalized with tertiary amine groups, which acts as a conditioning polymer, restoring hydrophobicity to damaged hair and reducing the force required to comb treated hair, with a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silicone-based conditioning agents are used, then conditioning benefits are provided, but environmental persistence and toxicity concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates silicone-based conditioning agents from the formulation, replacing them with polyaminopropyl biguanide and polyquat-6 conditioned silicones. This extraction removes the harmful components (D4 and D5 silicones) while maintaining the essential conditioning function through alternative polymers that provide comparable or superior performance without environmental persistence issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the conditioning agents by specifying precise concentration ranges: polyaminopropyl biguanide at 0.1-10 wt% and polyquat-6 conditioned silicones at 0.01-5 wt%. These parameter changes transform the formulation from silicone-heavy to a balanced polymer system that achieves conditioning benefits through different chemical mechanisms, eliminating toxic silicones while maintaining efficacy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If silicone-free alternative conditioning agents are used, then environmental concerns are reduced, but conditioning benefits are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite conditioning system combining two distinct polymer types: polyaminopropyl biguanide (a cationic polymer) and polyquat-6 conditioned silicones (a modified silicone polymer). This composite approach leverages the strengths of both materials - the biguanide provides strong adhesion and conditioning on damaged hair, while the polyquat-6 silicones contribute smoothness and manageability. The synergistic interaction between these components delivers comprehensive conditioning benefits that neither component could achieve alone, while maintaining environmental compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The conditioning polymer system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides conditioning benefits, restores hydrophobicity to damaged hair, reduces combing force, and ensures environmental compatibility. The polyaminopropyl biguanide and polyquat-6 conditioned silicones work together to achieve these diverse functions, making the formulation universally effective across different hair types and damage levels while meeting environmental standards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hair conditioning agents are replaced, then natural origin index is increased, but new conditioning agents must be developed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes concentration parameters within specific ranges (polyaminopropyl biguanide: 0.1-10 wt%, polyquat-6 conditioned silicones: 0.01-5 wt%) to achieve the desired natural origin index improvement while maintaining conditioning efficacy. These parameter specifications provide clear manufacturing guidelines, reducing development complexity despite the formulation innovation.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining established polymer technologies (biguanide and polyquat-6 silicones) in a composite system, the patent achieves a higher natural origin index without requiring entirely new chemical syntheses. The components are known substances used in combination, simplifying manufacturing compared to developing novel conditioning agents from scratch, while still meeting the increased natural origin requirements.
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 dextran polymer-based formulation effectively conditions hair by restoring hydrophobicity and reducing combing force, providing improved conditioning benefits while being environmentally friendly and free from silicone-based agents.
Implementation Method 1
restoring hydrophobicity to damaged hair
Implementation Method 2
The dextran polymer functionalized with tertiary amine groups acts as a conditioning polymer that effectively restores hydrophobicity to damaged hair
Implementation Method 3
reducing the force required to comb treated hair
Data Source
AI summary
A hair conditioning formulation is provided, comprising: a dermatologically acceptable vehicle; and a conditioning polymer, wherein the conditioning polymer is a dextran polymer functionalized with tertiary amine groups; wherein the dextran polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons.