CA1136050A - Hair conditioning composition containing cationic polymer, amphoteric surfactant and a betaine and method for use - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hair conditioning composition relatively stable toward repeated shampooings comprising an aqueous acidic composition containing a cationic polymer, an amphoteric detergent and a betaine and a process for treating hair with the same and particularly hair containing an alkaline residue from prior hair treating processes.

Description

1~3~Q~

~AIR CONDITIONING CO~OSI~ION CONTAI~ING
CATIONIC POLYMæR, AMPHOTERIC SURFACTANT AND A
BETAINE AND METHOD FOR USE

This invention relates to compositions that are useful in conditioning hair and to processes for condi-tioning hair that employ such compositions.
It is known in the prior art to treat hair with certain quaternary amine compounds for the purpose of conditioning it i.e. to improve its combability, manage-ability, softness, etc. Although such prior art composi-tions have proven to be effective in varying degrees, one of the chief drawbacks has been the fact that the effect has not been long-lasting i.e. it does not survive repeated shampooings.
It has also been suggested that hair conditioning compositions may be provided which are relatively stable to repeated shampooings by formulating such compositions so that they consist essentially of an aqueous solution containing a cationic polymer, an amphoteric detergent and sufficient acid to give the aqueous solution a pH
in the range of about 1 to 6.
It has now been found that a still further increase in efficacy as a hair conditioning agent can be obtained if there is added to the aqueous acid composition contain-ing a cationic polymer and an amphoteric detergent, an effective amount of a betaine. Thus, whereas the betaines in and of themselves in solution do not effect any hair conditioning; in combination with the cationic polymer and amphoteric surfactant, the efficacy of the latter ` combination as a hair conditioning agent is significantly enhanced.

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It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a hair conditioning composition that is stable to repeated hair shampooings.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process for treating hair using the aforesaid composition which has a conditioning effect on the hair that is relatively stable to repeated shampooings.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a composition of the aforesaid type which consists essen-tially of an aqueous acidic solution containing a cationic polymer, an amphoteric detergent and a betaine and to provide a process for treating hair with such a composi-tion.
Other and more detailed objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.
The betaines that are useful for the purposes of the present invention may be described by the formula:

(I) R - X - CH2COO

in which R is a long chain aliphatic radical containing 10 to 24 atoms. As used herein, the term long chain aliphatic radical includes saturated and unsaturated straight chain and branched chain radicals, hydrocarbon radicals as well as chain radicals that include other atoms in addition to carbon atoms in the chain (e.g.
oxygen, nitrogen, etc.).
By way of illustrating typical betaines that ~ay be used in this invention, mention may be made of cocamidopropyl betaine, oleyl betaine, cetyl betaine, coco betaine, etc. Cocamidopr~pyl betaine is described by the formula:

0~0 Il l+
(II) R C NH (C~2)3 ~ CH2 O

wherein RC- is the cocs fatty acid acyl radical. Coco fatty acid is a mixture of fatty acids obtained from Coconut Oil which are predominantly C12 acids. Oleyl betaine, on the other hand, may be described by the formula:
~H3 (III) CH3(CH2)7CH = CH(C~2)7 CH2 ~ 2 Structu~ally the coco betaine and cetyl betaine res~mble the oleyl betaine shown in formula III above excepting that the oleyl radical is replaced with coco fatty radicals or the cetyl radical respectively. A number of betaines that are useful for the purposes of the present invention are avail-able commercially. Among these mention may be made of * * * *
CHEMADENE NA 30, LONZAINE 12C, LO~Z~INE 14C, ~ONZAII7E 16S, etc.
The quantity of the betaine that may be incorporated in the composition of the present invention may vary~ Usually, it will comprise between about 0.1% to about 5~ by weig~t -and preferably between about 0.3~ to about 3~ by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
The cationic polymers ~hat are useful for the purposes of the present invention can vary somewhat. Two classes of polymers that have been found to be particularly useful are those s*old under the trade names MERQUAT (e.g. MERQUAT 100, MERQUAT 550) and ONAMER (e.g. ONAMER M). MERQUAT 100 is a polymer of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride and is probably a mixture of compounds having the formula A or B given below:
*Trade Marks ' (A) (B) ~ ~CH2~ ~CH2~ CH2 ~ , CH - CH _ ~H CH CH -- _ (IV) l l 21 1 S ~
H3C CH3 n CH3 CH3 n MERQUA~ 550 is a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt made of acrylamide and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride monomers.
These vary in molecular weight. Ordinarily, however, the polymers of this class.that will be employed have a molecular weight in the range of from 4,000 to 550,000 and preferably in the range of from 20,000 to 100,000.
The ONAMER type polymers that are useful for the present purposes are poly(dimethyl butenyl ammonium chloride)-a,~-bis(triethanol ammonium chlorides) that may be described by the general formula-:
C 2C 2 ~ -~CH3 ~ CH2CH2OH

(~) OH-CH2CH2 - N~- -N+-CH2-CH = CH-CH2 - ~ 2 2 OH-CH2CH2 _CH3 n 2 2 .
The molecular weights of these polymers that may be employed herein can also vary somewhat. For the most part, however, this will be in the range of from about 800 to 5000 and preferably, in the range of from about 1000 to 3000 The quantity of cationic polymer contained in the present aqueous solutions will depend on the particular results that are desired. Ordinarily, this will constitute 113~0~0 between about 0.4% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the aqueous composition with the optimal range being between about 1% to about 5~ on the same weight basis.
Another essential component of the compositions of this invention are the amphoteric detergents. A character-istic of these materials is that many assume the character of an anionic or a cationic surfactant compound depending upon the pH of the solution in which it may be contained.
There are a number of amphoteric detergents that are suitable for use in the present invention. However, two classes of detergents have been ~ound to be especially effective. The first class can be defined by the formula:

7H2COONa (VI) R - C 2 2 2 in which R is a long chain fatty radical containing ~rom 10 to 18 carbon atoms. A typical example of such a com-pound or compounds is the case in which R represents coconut fatty radicals. A material of this character is sold under the trade name MIRANOL C2MSF and is described in the CTFA
Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (1973) under the name AMPHOTERIC-2.
A second class of amphoteric detergents that is particularly effective for the purposes of the present invention can be defined by the formula:
(VII) R- NH- CH - CH - COOH
wherein R is a long chain fatty alkyl group having from 10 *Trade Marks .1 ' '~

113~;0~;0 to 18 carbon atoms. An example of such a detergent is marketed under the trade name DERIP~AT 170C in which the R in formula VII is a mixture of lauryl and myristyl fatty alkyl groups. This material is described in the CTFA
Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (1973) as Lauraminopro~ionic Acid.
The quantity of amphoteric detergent which will be contained in the composition of th$s invention will vary somewhat again depending on the economics and the results sought. ~owever, usually this will be in the range of from about 0.2 to about 20% by weight and ideally in the range of from about 1% to about 5% by weight based on the total weicht of the composition.
Another feature of the present compositions is that they have an acid pH that is a pH that falls in the range of from about 1 to 6. Any of a variety of acids may be used in adjusting the pH of these compositions to the proper level thydrochloric, citric, lactic and phosphoric ae~ds ~ere found to be particularly useful and suitable.
Although the betaines, cationic polymers, the ampho-teric detergents and the acid pH above are the essential features in the present compositions, the compositions contemplated by the present invention may also contain other ingredients which may serve to improve the organoleptic character of the product or its ease of application. Thus, it is within the purview of this invention to incorporate in the present compositions such materials as solvents, fragrances, thickenin~ agents, fragrance solubilizers, bactericides, etc.
A variety of sol~ents can be.e~loyed in the composi-tions of this invention. These will usually take the form of an aliphatic alcohol, either-a monoh~dric or olyhydric, *Trade Mark . ~

, V

preferably having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. As employed herein, the term "aliphatic alcohol" is used in its generic sense and includes such alcohols as straight chain and branched chain alkyl alcohols that can be monohydric or polyhydric (e.g. dihydroxy)ether alcohols, ester alcohols, etc. By way of illustrating the sol~ents that may be useful for the present composition, mention may be made of ethanol, carbitol, hexylene glycol, propylene glycol. The solvents may be used at levels from 0% to about 50% and preferably in the range of from 0%
to 5~ by weight based on the total weight of the composi-tion.
Optionally, a neutral surfactant may also be incor-porated in the compositions of this invention. These will constitute between 0~ to 10% by weight based on the total wei~ht of the composition but more often, a range of o%
to 2% is preferred. Suitable examples of such neutral sur-factants are Igepal C0-630 (CTFA name nonoxynol-9);
Arlasolve 200 (polyoxyethylene(20)isohexadecyl ether);
Tween 20 (CTFA name polysorbate 20).
To facilitate the application of the present compositions to the hair it is often useful to increase its viscosity somewhat. Many thickening agents can be used for this purpose.
Amon~ these mention may be made of hydroxethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulosel the Carbopols e.g. Carbopol 940.
However, hydroxethyl cellulose has been found to be particu-larly suitable. The concentration of the thickening agent may vary ~omewhat depending on the results desired. Usually, this will be present in the range of from 0% to about 10~ by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
*Trade Marks 3~iiQ~(~

It is often useful to incorporate a bactericide in the compositions of this invention. A variety of materials are known in the prior art that will ser~e this purpose. By way of illustration, mention may be made of a material sold under the trade name DOWICIL 200. This is identified in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, second edition, as quaternium-15 and chemically as 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride. The quantity of bactericide that will be contained in the present compositions will vary somewhat depending on the nature of the particular composition. Usually, however, it will comprise between 0% to about lQ% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
Aside from the absolute quantities of the cationic polymer and amphoteric detergent contained in the present compositions, it has been found that their conditioning effectiveness is highly dependent upon the ~molar ratio~
of polymer to detergent. The term "molar ratio"
as used herein is designated by the latter ~ and is defined as:
, . ~

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[ Polymer ~mer) ]
c~ =
[ Detergent (mol) ]
In the above expression and elsewhere in the specification S and claims, the term lPolymer (mer)] refers to the number of mols of the repeating units of the polymer bearing a single positive charge contained in the composition.
The term [Detergent (mol)] in the aforesaid expression and elsewhere is defined as the number of mols of detergent contained in the composition. The ratio ~ may vary somewhat. Ordinarily, this will be in the range of from about .2 to about 5 and preferably in the range of from about 1 to a~out 2.
The compositions of this invention may be applied to hair in any suitable manner. One typical procedure involves applying the conditioning composition, such as described in Example 1 below to freshly dyed or bleached hair, working it gently into the hair mass, leaving the said composition on hair for one to three minutes and rinsing the hair thoroughly with water prior to combing and drying.
Amount of the conditioning composition applied to hair may vary but, in general, should not be less than 1~ of the hair weight and does not need to exceed 20~ of the hair weight.
It is generally visualized that the compositions of this invention will be applied to hair that has previously been given a treatment that leaves the hair somewhat alkaline. Typical of such treatment are treatments with oxidation hair dye systems or bleaching systems. One such treatment involves mixing a dye base containing among other things the oxidation dye intermediates with an aqueous vehicle containing an oxidizing agent such as ,,,~

~3~ 0 hydrogen peroxide and then shampooing this mixture into the hair. These mixturesbefore being applied to the hair usually have an alkaline pH e.g. in the range of from 7 to 12 and preferably 8 to 11. Another such treatment involves for example treating the hair with an alkaline bleaching solution which contains the usual oxidizing agent (e.g. aqueous hydrogen peroxide), boosters (e.g.
potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate), alkalizing agents, etc.
When the compositions of this invention are applied to hair that has been previously treated as indicated above, the combination of amphoteric deteryent and cationic polymer precipitates out on the hair forming a condition-ing complex that is highly resistant to repeated shampoo-ings.
The pH of the hair conditioning compositions that are employed in the present invention will be selected to some extent on the basis of the alkalinity of the hair to be treated and the relative amounts of cationic polymers and amphoteric detergent. In general, the pH is selected so that after the composition is applied to the hair and comes under the influence of the alkalinity of the hair that the pH of the composition is increased by approximately 1 pH unit above which the precipitation of the complex takes place. Generally, under these conditions the optimum precipitation of the conditoning complex appears to take place.
The following Examples are given to further illus-trate the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto.

~13~V5;0 Where the CTFA name i9 given herein, reference is made to the name given to the material in the CTFA
Cosmetic Ing~edient Dictionary of 1973 or the 2nd Edition of 1977.
EXAMPLE_l Ingredient ~ by Wt.
Merquat lO0 1 3.50 Miranol C2MSF 1.75 Hydroxyethyl cellulose2.00 Sodium hydroxide 0.01 Phosphoric acid 0.07 Ethanol 4.00 Cocamidopropyl betaine 32.00 Water QS to 100.00 pH 4.5 1 CTFA name Quaternium-40

2 CTFA name ~mphoteric-2

3 CTFA name Same as Example l except that 2.00% oleyl betaine is used in place of the cocamidopropyl betaine used in Example l. This composition had a pH of 4.5.

*Trade Marks ~r ~
~ ~ ) ~ ~3~0~0 : Ingredient % by Wt.
Ex. 3Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Merquat 100 5.0 Hydroxethyl cellulose 2.250 Phosphoric Acid 0.450 Sodium hydroxide 0.015 Miranol C2MSF 2.560 >
Sorbic*acid 0.100 ; Dowicil 200 4 0.100 Carbitol 3-000 ; Cocamidopropyl betaine 0.600 Fxagrance 0.400_ ~ :
Tween 20 5 --- .001 ---Arlasolve 200 6 --- --- .001 Water to 100%
pH 4.84.5 4.5

4 CTFA name Quaternium-15

5 CTFA name Polysorbate-20

6 Polyoxyethylene(20)isohexadecyl ether i *Trade Marks ,, 5;

t :'' .
, 3~i;0~iO

% by Wt.
Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex.
Ingredients 6 7 8 9 10 11 Merquat 100 5.0 -- -- 5.0 5.0 5.0 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 2.25 Sodium hydroxide 0.15 _ .
PhosphorLc acid .2 0.46 Deriphat 170C 2.0 -- -- -- -- --Miranol C2MSF -- 2.56 Sorbic*acid 0.1 0.10 >
Dowicil*200 .10 0.10 >
Carbitol . 3.0 Fragrance .40 _ Chemadene NA30 2 . 0 2 . 0 2 . O -~
Merquat 550 9 -- -- 12.5 -- -- --*M 10 __ 5.0 -- ~~
Lonzaine 12C 11 __ __ __ 2 . 0 -- __ Lonzaine 14 12 2.0 __ Lonzaine 16S 13 -- __ __ __ __ 2.0 Water to 100% >
pH 4.5

7 CTFA name Lauramopropionic acid

8 CTFA name Cocamidopropyl betaine

9 CTFA name Quaternium-41

10 Poly(dimethyl butenyl ammonium chloride)~,~-bis(triethanol ammonium chloride)

11 CTFA name Coco betaine

12 CTFA name Lauryl betaine

13 CTFA name Cetyl betaine To compare the relative effectiveness of compositions of this invention containing a betaine and one which contains the cationic polymer and amphoteric surfactant but no betaine, the following compositions were prepared:

*Trade Marks -' 1~3~

-14-COMPOSITION A
Ingredient % by Wt.
Nerquat 100 3.50 Miranol C2MSF 1.75 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 2.00 Sodium hydroxide 0.01 Phosphoric acid 0.07 Ethanol 4.00 Cocamidopropyl betaine --Water QS to 100.00 pH 4.5 COMPOSITION A-l Ingredient % by Wt.
~lerquat*100 5.000 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 2.250 Phosphoric acid 0~450 Sodium hydroxide 0.015 Miranol C2MSF 2.560 Sorbic a*cid 0.100 Dowicil 200 0.100 Carbitol 3.000 Cocamidopropyl betaine --Fragrance 0.400 Water QS to 100.000 pH 4.5 In addition, the following hair dye preparation was formulated to be applied before the hair conditioning treatment.
COMPOSITION B
Ingredient % by Wt.
p-Phenylenediamine 0.35 N,N-bis(2-hydroxethyl)-p-phenylenediamine sulfate 0.18 Resorcinol 0.31 l-Naphthol 0.08 Oleic acid 7.50 Propylene glycol 4.40 Isopropanol 4.35 Hydrogen peroxide 3.00 *Octoxynol-l 3.50 **Trade Marks ,, ~
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-15-COMPCSITION B (Cont'd) Sulfated Castor Oil1.50 Ammonium hydroxide1.15 *Cocamide DEA 0.75 Fragrance 0.15 Sodi~m sulfite 0.05 ED~A 0.01 Water QS to 100.00 pH 9.8 10 *CTFA name tSee CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 2nd Edition, 1977) Swa~ches of intact Caucasian hair were colored with Composition B above. This was applied to dry hair working the composition into a lather. The composition was permitted to remain ~n contact with the hair for 20 min. at ambient temp-eratures. A little warm water was then added to the hair and worked into a lather. The hair was the~ rinsed with water until the water ran clear. The ratio of the amount of solu-tion to weight of hair, temperature and qua~tity of water used for rinsing after treatment, were all maintained so as to simulate conditions on the head. After rinsing, the conditioning materials of Example 1 and ~omposition A above were applied to hair (0.1 g of each pxoduct per 1 g of hair), they were worked in for 30 seconds and left on the hair for additional 1 minute after which time the hair was rinsPd and combed. The combing measurements were performed by the procedure described in the paper by Garcia and Diaz (J. Soc.
Cosmet. Chem. 27, 379-398, 1976). The test essentially involves passing of a hair tress through a comb attached to ~ strain gauge which in turn is connected to a recording device. Work is expended to accomplish the passage of the hair tress through the comb, and this work, reaa off the integrator, is the objective measure of combing ease/difficulty.

**Trade Mark ~L~3~0~iO

-16-Having determined the combing properties of hair after coloring and conditioning treatments, the swatches were shampooed with Herbal Essence Shampoo the number of times indicated in Table I and again tested for combing. The shampooing procedure involved application of the shampoo ~0.1 g per 1 g of hair~, working it into the hair over the period of 60 seconds to produce a copious lather and rinsing the shampooed hair for at least 1 minute. Each shampoo step consisted of two lathering/rinsing sequences.
The results of combability tests are summarized in Table I below. In the Table, the "Work of Combing" is expressed in units of work (gcm). The higher the values, the harder was it to comb the hair.
TABLE I
Treatment Average Combing Work (gcm) With on wet Hair BeforeAfter Treat-Treat- +4 +5 +6 ~ent ment Shampoos Shampoos Shampoos Composition of Example 1 on 4100 228 349 438 531 hair dyed with Composition B
Composition A on hair dyed with 4100 323 520 530 689 Composltlon B
-As will be noted, the hair treated with the Composition of Example 1 of this invention containing the betaine is easier to comb both i~mediately after treatment as well as after several shampoos when compared with hair treated with Composition A that does not contain the betaine.
This result has been further confirmed in experiments on live heads. It should be noted that betaines by themselves `` 1~3i0~0

-17-do not ef~ect any conditioning when applied in a formula-tion in combination with the cationic polymer e.g.
MERQUAT 100 or ONAMER M. It is only when other ampho-terics, such as the ones described above, are also present in the formula that additional conditioning is obtained from use of the betaine.
A similar test was run comparing the results obtained with Composition B embodied in this invention with a comparable composition i.e. Composition A-l above that does not contain the betaine. Similarly, results were obtained which are summarized in Table ~I below.
TABLE II
Before After + 4 + S + 6 Treat- Treat- Shampoos Shampoos Shampoos ment ment Composition of Example 3 on 5233 300 486 533 617 Hair Dyed with Composition B
Composition A-l 5233 580 641 809 916 on Hair Dyed with Composition B
;

*Trade Marks , ;

Claims (30)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An aqueous composition useful in conditioning hair comprising, based on the total weight of the composition:
(a) from about 0.1 % to about 5.0 % of a betaine of formula:

in which R is a long chain aliphatic radical containing 10 to 24 atoms;
(b) from about 0.4% to about 10.0% of a cationic polymer which durably conditions hair in conjunction with an anionic surfactant;
(c) from about 0.2% to about 20% of an amphoteric detergent; and (d) sufficient acid to give the composition a pH
in the range of from about 1 to about 6;
the ratio being in the ratio of from about .2 to about 5; wherein the term [Polymer (mer)] refers to the number of mols of the repeating units of the polymer bearing a single positive charge contained in the composition; in (e) an aqueous carrier.

2. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said ratio is in the range of from about 1 to about 2.

3. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.

4. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said betaine is lauryl betaine.

5. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said betaine is oleyl betaine.

6. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said betaine is cetyl betaine.

7. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said betaine is coco betaine.

8. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said cationic polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride.

9. A composition according to Claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:

in which R is a long chain fatty radical containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

10. A composition according to Claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:

in which R is a long chain fatty radical containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

11. A composition according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:

in which R is a long chain fatty radical containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

12. A composition according to Claim 1 in which said cationic polymer is a poly(dimethyl butenyl ammonium chloride)-.alpha.,.omega. -bis(triethanol ammonium chloride).

13. A composition according to Claim 12 wherein said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:

in which R is a long chain fatty radical containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

14. A composition according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:

in which R is a coconut fatty radical.

15. A composition according to Claim 8 or 12 in which said betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.

16. A composition according to Claim 8 or 12 in which said betaine is lauryl betaine.

17. A composition according to Claim 8 or 12 in which said betaine is oleyl betaine.

18. A composition according to Claim 8 or 12 in which said betaine is cetyl betaine.

19. A composition according to Claim 8 or 12 in which said betaine is coco betaine.

20. A composition according to Claim 8 in which said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:
in which R is a long chain fatty alkyl radical having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

21. A composition according to Claim 12 in which said amphoteric detergent is of the formula:
in which R is a long chain fatty alkyl radical having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

22. A compssition according to Claim 20 or 21 in which said betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.

23. A composition according to Claim 20 or 21 in which said betaine is lauryl betaine.

24. A composition according to Claim 20 or 21 in which said betaine is oleyl betaine.

25. A composition according to Claim 20 or 21 in which said betaine is cetyl betaine.

26. A composition according to Claim 20 or 21 in which said betaine is coco betaine.

27. A method for conditioning hair which comprises applying to said hair a composition defined in any of the Claims 1, 2 or 12 for sufficient time to improve its combing characteristics and/or its manageability and/or its softness.

28. In a process for conditioning hair which has been previously subjected to the treatment with a treating agent having an alkaline pH, the improvement which comprises applying to said pre-treated hair a composition as defined in any of the Claims 1, 2 or 12 for sufficient time to improve its combing characteristics and/or its manageability, and/or its softness.

29. In a process for conditioning hair which has been previously subjected to the treatment with a treating agent having an alkaline pH, the improvement which comprises applying to said pre-treated hair a composition as defined in any of the Claims 1, 2 or 12 for sufficient time to improve its combing characteristics and/or its manageability, and/or its softness, and in which the pH of said treating agent is in the range of from about 7 to 12.

30. In a process for conditioning hair which has been previously subjected to the treatment with a treating agent having an alkaline pH, the improvement which comprises applying to said pre-treated hair a composition as defined in any of the Claims 1, 2 or 12 for sufficient time to improve its combing characteristics and/or its manageability, and/or its softness, and in which the pH
of said treating agent is in the range of from about 8 to 11.