Process for the permanent deformation of hair

Process for the permanent deformation of hair, comprising the steps of

• 1. applying to the hair a freshly prepared aqueous composition obtained by mixture of two components
• (a) component 1 of which containing as a hair keratin reducing substance alkalisulfite, ammonium sulfite, thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid or a water soluble salt of thioglycolic acid or thiolactic acid and
• (b) component 2 containing a compound selected from the group consisting of
• (i) carboxylic acids with activated double bonds of the formula ##STR5## in which the substituents R.sup.I and R.sup.II represent H, COOH, CH.sub.2 COOH, CH(CH.sub.3)COOH, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 or CH.sub.3, and R.sup.III represents H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl or CH.sub.2 COOH, with the proviso that R.sup.I is different from R.sup.II and at least one of the substituents R.sup.I and R.sup.II represents COOH, or the salt thereof, and
• (ii) carboxylic acids with activated triple bonds of the formula
• HOOC--C.tbd.C--R.sup.IV
• in which the substituent R.sup.IV has the meaning H or COOH, or the salt thereof;
• 2.