Hair straightening process and hair curling process and compositions therefor

A method of treating hair to cause the hair to maintain a desired configuration, said method comprising contacting the hair while in said desired configuration with an aqueous composition, said composition comprising the reaction product formed by reacting in an aqueous medium at least one water-soluble inorganic hydroxide selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, strontium hydroxide and mixtures thereof, with at least one water-soluble guanidine salt selected from the group consisting of guanidine carbonate and guanidine sulfate, wherein the anion of said guanidine salt forms a substantially water-insoluble salt with the cation of said hydroxide, and thereafter removing said composition from the hair.

In a method of straightening hair comprising contacting the hair with an aqueous keratin-breaking composition, placing the hair in a straightened configuration, and thereafter fixing or neutralizing the composition on the hair, the improvement comprising using, as said composition, the aqueous reaction product formed by reacting in an aqueous medium calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate.

A composition for treating hair to cause the hair to assume a desired configuration, said composition comprising an aqueous solution of guanidine hydroxide having a pH of at least about 11.8 and a concentration of about 1% by weight to about 50% by weight of guanidine hydroxide, based on the total weight of said composition, said guanidine hydroxide being the principal active ingredient of said composition, and at least a stoichiometric amount of at least one water-soluble inorganic hydroxide, and an emollient.

A composition for treating hair when applied thereto, comprising a water-soluble inorganic hydroxide ingredient and a water-soluble guanidine salt ingredient, said ingredients being selected such that reaction products thereof are guanidine hydroxide and a substantially water-insoluble inorganic salt formed by the cation of said inorganic hydroxide ingredient and the anion of said guanidine salt ingredient whereby the reaction producing said guanidine hydroxide will be driven towards completion, and said inorganic hydroxide ingredient being present in at least a stoichiometric amount relative to said guanidine salt ingredient.

A manufacture for use in treating hair comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient which are disposed in separate containers and which are combined to produce guanidine hydroxide that is applied to the hair, said first ingredient comprising a water-soluble inorganic hydroxide and said second ingredient comprising a water-soluble guanidine salt, the reaction products of said first and second ingredients being guanidine hydroxide and a substantially water-soluble inorganic salt formed by the cation of said first ingredient and the anion of said second ingredient, said inorganic hydroxide being present in at least a stoichiometric amount relative to said guanidine salt.