Hair Treatment Composition Neutralizing Chemical Residues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chemical hair treatments, such as lightening and coloring, often damage hair and irritate the scalp, while existing compositions struggle to enhance cosmetic properties like shine, conditioning, and strength without causing further harm.

Innovation Solution

A hair-treatment composition combining non-polymeric mono, di, or tricarboxylic acids, amines, alkoxysilanes, and cationic polymers, which can be used alone or with shampoo and conditioner, to improve hair strength, smoothness, and manageability after chemical treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If chemical treatments (lightening, coloring, relaxing) are applied to enhance hair appearance and manageability, then cosmetic properties such as shine, conditioning, and style control are improved, but hair damage and scalp irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic performanceVSAvoidhair damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effects of chemical treatments into beneficial outcomes by applying neutralizing agents immediately after treatment. The composition contains alkalizing agents to neutralize acidic residues from relaxers and oxidizing agents to neutralize alkaline residues from color treatments, thereby eliminating damage while preserving cosmetic benefits. This transforms the harmful chemical residues into neutral or beneficial states that improve hair health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies counteracting agents in advance to prevent damage from occurring. By including neutralizing agents in the post-treatment composition, the patent preemptively counteracts the harmful effects of chemical treatments before they can cause significant damage. The composition is designed to be applied immediately after chemical treatment to prevent residual chemicals from continuing to damage the hair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Manufacturing precision

If alkalizing agents are used in hair color and lightening compositions to enable pigment penetration, then color deposition is improved, but hair shaft swelling and potential damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor depositVSAvoidhair strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of alkalizing agents (hair shaft swelling and potential damage) into a beneficial neutralization process. The post-treatment composition contains acidic neutralizing agents that counteract the alkalizing agents used during color treatment, transforming the damaging swelling effect into a controlled neutralization that preserves color deposit while protecting hair integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pH parameter of the hair treatment process by applying neutralizing agents after color treatment. The composition is formulated to adjust the pH from the high alkaline state during coloring to a neutral or slightly acidic state, thereby stopping further cuticle swelling and preventing damage while maintaining the color deposit already achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If oxidizing agents are used in hair lightening compositions to achieve color lifting, then tone height variation is improved, but hair fiber damage and scalp irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelightening levelVSAvoidfiber damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful oxidative damage into a beneficial neutralization process. The post-treatment composition contains reducing agents and neutralizing agents that counteract the oxidizing agents used during lightening, transforming the damaging oxidative stress into a protective reduction process that preserves the achieved lightening level while repairing fiber damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies counteracting agents immediately after lightening to prevent further oxidative damage. By including neutralizing and protecting agents in the post-treatment composition, the patent preemptively counteracts residual oxidizing agents before they can continue to damage the hair fiber, thereby preserving the achieved lightening level while preventing additional harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Reliability

If multiple components and novel ingredient combinations are added to reduce damage and improve cosmetic performance, then hair strength and conditioning are improved, but composition complexity and difficulty of formulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair healthVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves multiple functions with a single integrated composition. The post-treatment product combines neutralizing agents, protecting agents, and conditioning ingredients in one formulation that simultaneously neutralizes chemical residues, protects against damage, and improves cosmetic performance. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for multiple separate products while maintaining comprehensive hair protection and enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple protective and cosmetic functions into a single composition. By combining neutralizing agents, protecting agents, and conditioning ingredients in one integrated formulation, the patent simplifies the treatment regimen while providing comprehensive protection and improvement. This merging of functions reduces formulation complexity compared to using multiple separate products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 compensates for damage from chemical treatments, enhancing style control, frizz control, and providing long-lasting smoothness and softness to chemically relaxed hair.

Implementation Method 1

The carboxylic acid groups can form ionic bonds with the amino groups of keratin proteins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic bonding: Coulomb's Law

Implementation Method 2

one or more alkoxysilanes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

both natural and sensitized or chemically treated hair can contain several kinds of negatively charged moieties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10576307B2Hair-treatment compositions, methods, and kits for treating hair

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The instant disclosure relates to hair-treatment compositions that include a unique combination of components that function to impart desirable cosmetic properties to the hair, especially chemically treated hair. The hair-treatment compositions typically include: at least 0.5 wt. % of at least one non-polymeric mono, di, or tricarboxylic acid, and/or a salt thereof; one or more amines; one or more alkoxysilanes; one or more cationic polymers; and water. Hair treated with the hair-treatment compositions is strengthened and exhibits improved sensorial properties such as smoothness, softness, and suppleness.