Hair Color Removal Using Reducing Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair color removal methods using oxidative dyes are inefficient, as they often require harsh oxidizing agents that can damage hair and allow previously applied colors to re-oxidize, making it difficult to achieve desired new shades without causing hair damage.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising reducing agents like glutaric acid, glyoxylic acid, thiolactic acid, thioglycolic acid, or glycolic acid, optionally with monoethanolamine as an amine compound, and a solvent, which effectively removes oxidative dyes from hair without re-oxidation, maintaining hair health and allowing for precise color adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If harsh oxidizing agents are used to remove oxidative dyes from hair, then color removal effectiveness is improved, but hair damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using reducing agents (thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, glyoxylic acid, glutaric acid) instead of oxidizing agents. This parameter change allows effective color removal through reduction of the oxidative dye molecules while avoiding the harmful effects of harsh oxidizers on hair structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of oxidative dyes (which require oxidation to be applied) into a beneficial process by using reducing agents to remove them. The oxidative dye molecules, which are stable due to oxidation, are targeted for removal through reduction, turning their stability feature into a vulnerability that can be exploited for removal.
2Reliability
If oxidizing agents are used to neutralize first oxidative dye, then color removal is achieved, but re-oxidation occurs interfering with desired second color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reducing agents that temporarily reduce the oxidative dye molecules to their colorless form, allowing the desired color change. The reducing agents are used in controlled amounts and times, effectively neutralizing the oxidative dyes without leaving behind unstable intermediates that could re-oxidize.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state parameter from oxidized (stable, colored) to reduced (unstable, colorless) form. By controlling the reduction process with specific reducing agents, the patent achieves complete color removal while preventing re-oxidation, as the reduced form does not readily re-oxidize under normal conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If reducing agents are used to remove oxidative dyes, then hair damage is reduced, but odor problem increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces amine compounds as intermediary substances that work synergistically with the reducing agents. These amine compounds act as odor control agents, neutralizing the unpleasant odors generated during the reduction process while allowing the reducing agents to effectively remove the oxidative dyes without causing hair damage.
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 solution provides long-lasting, effective color removal that prevents re-oxidation of dyes, ensuring permanent color change without hair damage, and reduces odor typically associated with hair color removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
the first oxidative dye, which is not able to be washed out, must be neutralized so that it no longer imparts the first color to the hair fiber. Although there are known methods for removing the first color from the hair by neutralizing (reducing) the first oxidative dye molecules
Implementation Method 2
This process is typically used when an individual desires to change the color of their hair to a shade lighter than their natural color, by dissolving the melanin with an oxidizing agent before the oxidative dye molecules penetrate the hair fiber
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for removing color from keratin fibers such as hair. The compositions comprise (a) at least one reducing agent chosen from glutaric acid, glyoxylic acid, thiolactic acid, thioglycolic acid, glycolic acid, or combinations of two or more thereof, (b) optionally, at least one amine compound, and (c) at least one solvent.