Hair Shaping Composition Using Polyhydroxy Acid Lactones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Permanent hair straightening methods that break hair disulfide bonds are difficult to perform, damage hair, have unpleasant odors, and can cause scalp irritation, requiring professional intervention and not maintaining shape after washing.
Innovation Solution
A hair shaping composition with a pH of 4 or less, comprising polyhydroxy acid lactones, aliphatic di- or tricarboxylic acids, and glyoxylic acid, applied topically and followed by mechanical shaping, avoiding the use of reducing agents and allowing the composition to remain on the hair without rinsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If reducing agents are used to break hair disulfide bonds for permanent straightening, then hair can be straightened, but the hair is damaged and the process is difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful reducing agents from the traditional two-step straightening process. By using a single-step composition that shapes hair without breaking disulfide bonds, the harmful chemical treatment step is removed entirely, thereby preventing hair damage while achieving the desired straightening effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the treatment composition by using a pH of 4 or less and specific acid components (polyhydroxy acid lactones, aliphatic di- or tricarboxylic acids, and glyoxylic acid) instead of traditional reducing agents. This parameter change enables hair shaping through a different chemical mechanism that does not involve bond breakage, thus avoiding damage.
2Shape
If traditional permanent straightening methods are used, then hair can be straightened, but the process requires professional intervention and is difficult to conduct
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex neutralisation or oxidation step required in traditional methods, simplifying the process to a single application followed by mechanical shaping. This extraction of the second step eliminates the need for professional intervention and makes the process easier for consumers to perform at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the shaping function from the chemical bond-breaking function, allowing the shaping to be achieved through a simpler single-step chemical treatment combined with mechanical manipulation. This segmentation enables consumers to perform the mechanical shaping step themselves without requiring professional chemical treatment expertise.
3Shape
If reducing agents are used to break disulfide bonds, then hair can be straightened, but the process has an unpleasant odour and causes scalp irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the reducing agents that cause unpleasant odours and scalp irritation. By using a composition based on polyhydroxy acid lactones, aliphatic di- or tricarboxylic acids, and glyoxylic acid at pH 4 or less, the harmful side effects are removed while maintaining the hair shaping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional reducing agents with specific acids and maintaining a low pH of 4 or less. This parameter change fundamentally alters the chemical mechanism from bond-breaking to bond-preserving shaping, thereby eliminating odour and irritation issues.
4Shape
If traditional straightening processes are used, then hair can be straightened, but the shape is not maintained after washing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary chemical treatment that prepares the hair for mechanical shaping and creates conditions for long-lasting style retention. The low pH composition and specific acid components are applied first to condition and prepare the hair structure, enabling the subsequent mechanical shaping to hold its form through washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical environment parameters by using a low pH composition with specific acids that do not break disulfide bonds. This creates a chemical foundation that allows mechanical shaping to be locked in place without the need for re-establishing bonds, thereby maintaining style through washing.
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
Enables hair shaping without chemical damage, allowing consumers to achieve and maintain straightened hair without professional assistance and after subsequent washes, improving manageability and style retention.
Implementation Method 1
a hair shaping composition suitable for topical application to hair, the composition having a pH of 4 or less and comprising, in an aqueous continuous phase: (i) at least 0.5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more polyhydroxy acid lactones; (ii) at least 0.5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more aliphatic di- or tricarboxylic acids or salts or hydrates thereof, and (iii) at least 0.1% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of glyoxylic acid or a salt or hydrate thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a hair shaping composition suitable for topical application to hair, the composition having a pH of 4 or less and comprising, in an aqueous continuous phase: (i) at least 0.5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more polyhydroxy acid lactones; (ii) at least 0.5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more aliphatic di- or tricarboxylic acids, and (iii) at least 0.1% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of glyoxylic acid or a salt or hydrate thereof.