# US 9,872,821 B1 · Methods and formulations for curling hair > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,821 B1 - Document ID: US9872821B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/640,044 - Filed: 2017-06-30 - Published: 2018-01-18 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-12 - Assignees: Liqwd, Inc. - Applicants: Liqwd, Inc. - Inventors: Eric D. Pressly; Craig J. Hawker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872821B1 ## CPC - A61K 8/41: Amines - A45D 7/04: chemical - A61K 8/19: containing inorganic ingredients - A61K 8/36: Carboxylic acids; Salts or anhydrides thereof - A61K 8/362: Polycarboxylic acids - A61K 8/466: {containing sulfonic acid derivatives; Salts} - A61Q 5/04: Preparations for permanent waving or straightening the hair - A61Q 5/06: Preparations for styling the hair, e.g. by temporary shaping or colouring - A61K 2800/30: Characterized by the absence of a particular group of ingredients - A61K 2800/882: Mixing prior to application - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING - A61Q: SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY PREPARATIONS ## Abstract Methods, formulations, and kits for curling and/or preventing damage in the curling of hair are disclosed herein. Treatment with one or more hydroxide-containing agents in combination with one or more active agents can reshape hair, without the need for sulfur-containing reducing agents. To impart curl to hair, the active agent(s) and the hydroxide-containing agent(s) are applied either as a combined formulation or as separate formulations which are applied simultaneously. Use of the active agent along with a hydroxide-containing agent allows the level of curl imparted to hair to be controlled, as compared to the natural amount of curl, if any, in the untreated hair. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: (a) applying to hair a formulation comprising one or more hydroxide-containing agents; and one or more active agents selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, acrylic acid, methyl acrylic acid, and vinyl sulfonic acid, and simple salts thereof; and (b) reshaping the hair; wherein the method is substantially free of a sulfur-containing reducing agent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein following steps (a) and (b), the hair retains curl when subjected to one or more wash cycles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) occurs prior to step (a). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the formulation is a combined formulation, and wherein prior to step (a), a first and a second formulation are mixed to form the combined formulation, wherein the combined formulation has a pH of about 10 or greater. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the one or more hydroxide-containing agents to the one or more active agents is in the range of about 5:1 to about 1:5. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more hydroxide-containing agents are selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, guanidinium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the active agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the formulation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reshaping the hair comprises rolling the hair on a roller, rod, or curler, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: (c) applying to the hair a second active agent formulation comprising a second active agent, wherein the second active agent is maleic acid or a simple salt thereof, acrylic acid or a simple salt thereof, methyl acrylic acid or a simple salt thereof, and vinyl sulfonic acid or a simple salt thereof, or a mixture thereof; wherein step (c) occurs subsequent to step (b). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the second active agent formulation comprises about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of the second active agent. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: (a) applying to hair a formulation comprising one or more hydroxide-containing agents and maleic acid or a salt or a mixture thereof; wherein the pH of the formulation is about 10 or greater; and (b) reshaping the hair; wherein the method is substantially free of a sulfur-containing reducing agent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein following steps (a) and (b), the hair retains curl when subjected to one or more wash cycles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein step (b) occurs prior to step (a). ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the formulation is a combined formulation, and wherein prior to step (a), a first and a second formulation are mixed to form the combined formulation, wherein the combined formulation has a pH of about 10 or greater. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the weight ratio of the one or more hydroxide-containing agents to the maleic acid is in the range of about 5:1 to about 1:5. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more hydroxide-containing agents are selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, guanidinium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the active agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the formulation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the step of reshaping the hair comprises rolling the hair on a roller, rod, or curler, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: (c) applying to the hair a second active agent formulation comprising a second active agent, wherein the second active agent is maleic acid or a simple salt thereof, acrylic acid or a simple salt thereof, methyl acrylic acid or a simple salt thereof, vinyl sulfonic acid or a simple salt thereof, or a mixture thereof; wherein step (c) occurs subsequent to step (b). ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the second active agent formulation comprises about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of the second active agent. ### Claim 21 A method comprising: (a) applying to hair a formulation comprising one or more hydroxide-containing agents and one or more active agents selected from the group consisting of: and (b) reshaping the hair; and wherein the method is substantially free of a sulfur-containing reducing agent. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein following steps (a) and (b), the hair retains curl when subjected to one or more wash cycles. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein step (b) occurs prior to step (a). ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the formulation is a combined formulation, and wherein prior to step (a), a first and a second formulation are mixed to form the combined formulation, wherein the combined formulation has a pH of about 10 or greater. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the weight ratio of the one or more hydroxide-containing agents to the one or more active agents is in the range of about 5:1 to about 1:5. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more hydroxide-containing agents are selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, guanidinium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the active agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the formulation. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the step of reshaping the hair comprises rolling the hair on a roller, rod, or curler, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising: (c) applying to the hair a second active agent formulation comprising a second active agent, wherein the second active agent is maleic acid or a simple salt thereof, acrylic acid or a simple salt thereof, methyl acrylic acid or a simple salt thereof, vinyl sulfonic acid or a simple salt thereof, or a mixture thereof; wherein step (c) occurs subsequent to step (b). ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the second active agent formulation comprises about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of the second active agent.