EP1868563A2

EP1868563A2 - Method for controlling and lowering ammonia vapours emission from hair colouring or decolouring creams

Info

Publication number: EP1868563A2
Application number: EP06727329A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Arcelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: ARCELLI, ANTONIO; GIANNICO, PAOLO
Priority date: 2005-04-05
Filing date: 2006-03-17
Publication date: 2007-12-26
Also published as: ITTN20050005A1; WO2006106390A2; WO2006106390A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the quantity of ammonia vapours emitted from the oxidation creams generally used for colouring the hair. Said method allows to reduce, at room temperature, the ammonia vapours which are emitted at the opening of the cream bottle or tube for the hair treatment, during the preparation of the colour, for the processing of the cream with hydrogen peroxide and during the application of the colour itself on the hair at values lower than the olfactory perception threshold.

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND LOWERING AMMONIA VAPOURS

EMISSION FROM HAIR COLOURING OR DECOLOURING CREAMS

* * * * *

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for controlling and lowering the quantity of ammonia vapours emitted from the products generally used for modifying the hair colour. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The oxidation hair colouring creams have received, so far, a remarkable attention and interest, because they provide the best colourings and give the best effect on the human keratin, besides being long-lasting. Unfortunately, during the use of said creams, the un- desired emission of a significant quantity of ammonia vapours occurs.

The colouring creams commonly used can contain even more than 20 ingredients.

Among these, there may be particularly mentioned benzene derivatives (preferably p-substituted-benzene derivatives) called developing substances: generally they are aromatic amines, such as p-phenylenediamine, 2-amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisole, as well as 2,5- diaminotoluene sulfate and so on. Other ingredients are the so-called copulating substances, such as, for example, 1, 4-resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol and so on. These creams based on the oxidation process, preferably carried out by means of addition of hydrogen peroxide to the base cream (called oxidation creams) always contain ammonia in different concentrations, or they can also contain sodium or potassium hydroxide and monoethanolamine .

The hair dying process, through the aforesaid creams, generally follows a procedure similar to that described below.

The preparation of the various colours is usually carried out by the hairdresser in situ, as described below.

In a cylindrical glass or plastic container (d. = about 13 cm) , 30 or 60 g. of a cream contained in a sealed tube are placed, based on the quantity of hair to be coloured. To this quantity of cream, hydrogen peroxide at 10-20-30-40 vol . % is added in the same quantity, depending on the brands, of the colours and the shades that one wishes to obtain.

The obtained mixture is blended and homogeneously applied on the hair of the guest, by means of a plastic brush, and it is allowed to act for about 30-45 min. At the room temperature at which one operates, in this alkaline heterogeneous system, the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the cream makes an instantaneous and relentless development of ammonia in the surrounding atmosphere, with a characteristic pungent smell. In this case, the ammonia vapours overcome the value of 100 ppm, that is more than four times above the maximum threshold allowed (23 ppm) , as it is assessable from measurements with an ammonia detector, for example an Impulse XP Neotronics 11221 I NTE RC HAN - GE CIRCLE, MIRAMAR FLORIDA 33025 U.S.A. detector (the execution of the measurement is described below in the, specification) .

In any case, the known masking, or covering, procedure of the ammonia smell through a camouflage, namely by the addition, to the creams themselves, of substances which develop perfumes in the atmosphere, has not eliminated the problem.

Therefore, there is the need of providing a method for effectively lowering or eliminating the quantity of ammonia vapours which are emitted during the use of the hair colouring products.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an adequate solution to the above problem.

These and other aims, which will result clear from the detailed description following, have been attained by the Applicant, which has unexpectedly found that, by adding to a product for modifying the hair colour, at least a composition including a proper mixture of active substances, it is possible to give an adequate answer to the problems above pointed out. It is a purpose of the present invention a method for controlling the quantity of ammonia vapours which are emitted during the use of the products for modifying the hair colour, as it is reported in the enclosed independent claim.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are reported in the enclosed dependent claims. The present process allows to reduce and/or eliminate the toxic and irritant ammonia vapours which normally are emitted in the Beauty saloons in a relatively high quantity, when hair colouring or decolouring creams of a professional use are used.

The technique allows, by the use of chemical reactions (or different interactions of a physical-chemical type) to stop the ammonia development in the surrounding atmosphere, during the length of the process, without sensitively affect the shade of the colours, for example by transforming it in a non-toxic derivate (which, for example, has a low vapour pressure at room temperature and results, therefore, odourless, or by blocking it within the cream applied on the hair) . The emission of ammonia vapours in the places and, accordingly, the unpleasant smell of the basic compound will vanish, operators and assistants will be protected from potential intoxications from this aggressive gas, already considered an atmospheric pollutant. For example, the irritation effects of eyes, conjunctivitis, eyelid swelling, nose and throat irritation, dyspnea and vomiting are already known. DESCRIPTION OP THE INVENTION

The method according the present invention for controlling the ammonia vapours emitted from the products used for modifying the hair colour includes at least a step a) consisting of: a) adding to said products for modifying the hair colour one or more compositions (in the following, for easiness, called ammonia-blocking compositions, each including an effective quantity of at least an ingredient selected from the following compounds : anhydrous or monohydrate citric acid; ascorbic acid; DL-tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; inositol; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; calcium salt of the pantothenic acid; cetearyl alcohol; tannic acid; glyceryl stearate; ethylendiamine- tetraacetic ^• acid, EDTA; glutathione; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol 200, PEG 200; choline bitartrate; _ ethyl alcohol; propylene glycol; malic acid; cholic acid; palmitic acid; pangamic acid; azelaic acid; ethydronic acid; arachidic acid; suberic acid; sorbic acid; salicylic acid: aspartic acid; succinic acid; benzoic acid; cinnamic acid; glycolic acid; stearic acid; oleic acid; valeric acid; pimelic acid; myristic acid; glutaric acid; oxalic acid; 1,2,4- benzenetricarboxylic acid; 1, 3, 5-benzenetricarboxylic acid; mellitic acid; phosphoric acid; L-tryptophan; L- alanine; _.L-proline; L-arginine; L-arginine .HCl; L- leucine; imidazolydinyl urea; PEG-7-cocoate; p-amino benzoic acid; PEG-7-gyceryl cocoate; potassium persul- fate; sodium persulfate; ammonium persulfate; zinc oxide; zinc acetate; zinc sulfate; zinc gluconate; zinc citrate; titanium oxide.

Preferably, said products used for modifying the hair colour are selected from the commercial oxidation colouring creams .

Said addition of one or more ammonia-blocking compositions is carried out on the base colouring cream before or after the addition thereto of hydrogen peroxide; in the latter case, said addition is carried out before or after the mixing of said cream with hydrogen peroxide. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, said addition of one or more blocking compositions is ^• carried out after the addition of hydrogen ^■ peroxide, but before the mixing of the same with the cream.

The concentration of each of the different ingredients in one of said ammonia-blocking compositions is between about < 0.0001% and about 70-85% by weight, based on the weight of said composition. The ingredients having acid features are preferably present in a weight percent concentration between 0.14% - 4.80% up to 84.5%, while the ingredients without the acid features are preferably present in a weight percent concentration between 0.00001% and 62.4%.

The deionized water or other possible proper carrier in said compositions is present in a percent quantity complementary to 100.

Preferably, each of said ammonia-blocking compositions includes a mixture of two or more ingredients selected from those above listed.

More preferably, each of said compositions includes a mixture of more than two of said ingredients. The mixture of the ingredients used in the above ammonia-blocking compositions is the unexpected fruits of an accurate experimental selection between substances having different complementary and non-complementary features .

In fact, some of them are acidifying, other reducing, other oxidizing substances, additives, emollients, builders, viscosity agents, stabilizers, preservatives, sequestering agents.

Some natural biological additives are ^■ present as hair reconstituting.

A proper selection and admixture of said components (varying as a function of the type of colouring cream and the "nuance" to be treated) has allowed to reach the desired aim above pointed out.

Preferably, an ammonia-blocking composition according to the present invention includes at least an ingredient (preferably, it includes a mixture consisting of two or more ingredients) selected among the following: citric acid; ascorbic acid; phosphoric acid; tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; tannic acid; p-amino benzoic acid; palmitic acid; inositol; tryptophan; L- alanine; L-proline; L-arginine; L-leucine; imida- zolydinyl urea; calcium pantothenate; cetearyl alcohol; gliceryl stearate; EDTA; glutathione; N, N- dimethyl glycine; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; ethyl alcohol; glycerine; PEG-7- glyceryl cocoate; choline bitartrate; PEG 200; deion- ized water.

More preferably, said composition includes at least an ingredient (preferably, it includes a mixture consisting of two or more ingredients) selected from: citric acid; ascorbic acid; tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; tannic acid; palmitic acid; inositol; calcium pantothenate; cetearyl alcohol; gliceryl stearate; EDTA; glutathione; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol; choline bitartrate; ethyl alcohol; propylene glycol; N,N-dimethyl glycine; deionized water. Absolutely non-limiting examples of preferred compositions of the invention are reported below in the experimental section for showing the wide applicative potential of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, during the step a) , two ammonia-blocking compositions are added. Before the addition, said two compositions are mixed together or, preferably, said two compositions are separately, sequentially added.

More preferably, the two compositions are separately sequentially added to the base colouring cream after addition of hydrogen peroxide, before the mixing of the same with the cream.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, during the step a) , a single ammonia-blocking composition is added.

Preferably, said composition is added to the base colouring cream after addition of hydrogen peroxide, before the mixing of the same with the cream. Depending on the selected mixture of ingredients, their concentration and the quantity of carrier used, the ammonia-blocking composition can result liquid (more or less thick) , semisolid or solid (for example having a cream consistency) at room temperature (that is between 18⁰C and 35°C, preferably, between about 20°C and about 25°C) .

When the addition of the ammonia-blocking composition is carried out on the base colouring cream before the addition of hydrogen peroxide, it is also possible to mix said blocking composition with said base cream, to give a pre-added base colouring composition of ammonia-blocking agents. The composition thus obtained can be immediately used (with addition of hydrogen peroxide and application on the hair) , or can be packaged and stored in a proper closed container (for example, a bottle or sealed tube) for a following use thereof. The method of the present invention further includes the following steps : b) carefully mix (preferably, with a brush) the whole products from step a) (base colouring cream; hydrogen peroxide and ammonia-blocking composition/s) ; c) apply the obtained mixture on the hair; and d) let said mixture act for the required time (preferably, between 25 and 50 min., more preferably from 30 to 45 min. ) .

During the step a) , each ammonia-blocking composition is added in a quantity between about 2% and about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the colouring cream.

Preferably, said composition is added in a quantity between about 3-4% and about 8-10% by weight. The quantity of ammonia-blocking composition to be added to the colouring cream is varying and is experimentally determined as a function of the type of colouring product used and the type of colour that one wishes to obtain (directly connected with the quantity of ammonia existing in the cream) .

Therefore, the above percentages changes depending on the presence of ammonia in the colouring creams (in particular, as a function of the total quantity of existing ammonia) and/or other basic compounds, such as ethanolamine and sodium or potassium hydroxide. By way of example,, for super-lightening creams (which usually contain a high quantity of ammonia) , the quantity of ammonia-blocking composition preferably used is between about 8% and about > 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the colouring cream.

An ammonia-blocking composition can be carried out with traditional methodologies, known to the person skilled in the art.

By way of example, an ammonia-blocking composition according to the present invention is industrially prepared as below described.

In a 18/10 stainless steel shredder, the various solid reagents having greater crystalline dimensions are first added, so as to pulverize them. The compounds are mixed together in the foreseen quantities in the shredder, so as to homogenize the mixture. Depending on the preparations of the different colours, the resulting composition/mixture can be used at the solid state, or can be mixed with the PEG 200 or other suitable carrier generally used, at a concentration included from 15 to 30% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition.

Said mixture of ingredients has proved stable over time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is shown below, by way of absolutely non limiting example, in some of the preferred embodiments thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the following unique composition, prepared as described in the following example through a proper dosage of the different ingredients, has been used. In a pirex glass beaker, the various reagents are introduced in the following weight ratio, based on the total weight of the composition: citric acid 61.7%; phosphoric acid 0.83%; water 32.40%; PEG 200 4%; tryptophan 0.003%; L-alanine 0.002%; L-proline 0.003%; L- arginine 0.007%; imidazolydinyl urea 0.003%; calcium pantothenate 0.003%; p-amino benzoic acid 0.007%; propylene glycol 0.004; glycerine 0.92%; PEG-7-glyceryl cocoate 0.14%.

The ingredients are dissolved, under stirring, through a light heating at 40-50⁰C until a homogeneous solution is obtained.

The obtained solution, after a few days can show a bottom body, however it remains stable over time and its effectiveness does not decrease.

In another embodiment of the invention, the above composition has been altered through a variation of the concentrations of: citric acid 57.1%; phosphoric acid 6.73%; water 31%, by maintaining unchanged the concentrations of the other ingredients.

In other embodiments, the ratios of the concentrations between the different components are further changed as a function of the various basic components existing in the colouring creams and in the respective hydrogen peroxide solutions existing in the commercial products. In each case, the desired control of the ammonia is attained.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method for controlling the ammonia consists of the addition (during the dye preparation) of two blocking compositions A) and B) in a proportion and quantities established based on the percentage of ammonia existing in the various brands of commercially available cream dyes. Then, with a proper brush the mixing of the components in the bowl is obtained (and the following application on the hair) .

All the processes (preparation of the dye, dyeing and hair drying, of the a length of about 45 minutes) will be characterized by the lowering of the ammonia vapours thanks to the addition of the two solutions A) and B) to the cream and the hydrogen peroxide. The solutions have been prepared using chemical products of an analytic degree readily commercially available. In the present embodiment, the following solutions have been used.

SOLUTION A) . The solution A) contains the following components: deionized water, tryptophan, L-alanine, L- proline, L-arginine .HCl, L-leucine, imidazoyl urea, PEG-7-glyceryl cocoate, phosphoric acid. The solution, after a few days (8-30) becomes slightly yellow-green coloured but it is always effective. SOLUTION B) . The solution B) contains the following components: deionized water, citric acid, calcium pantothenate, p-amino benzoic acid, propylene glycole, glycerine, PEG-7-glyceryl cocoate. The solution is. stable over time.

The innovation consists of a chemical process capable of lowering the ammonia level existing at 6% within the hair colouring cream and above the 16% for the super-lightening products, at values lower than the olfactory perception threshold (23 ppm) .

Advantageously, the process is simple and easy to carry out .

The advantages of the use of the product (above described) called) VITAL HAIR OXI COLOR (EREM PA) AMMONIA CONTROL Solution A and Solution B will produce a positive impact on various fields, such as: preven- tion, environmental impact, both atmospheric and aquiferous .

The quantity and the number of the ingredients of the solutions A) and B) can be changed or reduced, if nee- . essary, as a function of the colouring cream used and the colour shade that one desires to obtain. Examples of preferred compositions/solutions according to the present invention are shown in the following. The percentages of the ingredients are expressed by- weight (w:w), based on the general weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the solution A) contains: deionized water, 28.5%; phosphoric acid (at 85% d=1.69 at 2O⁰C), 71.4%; tryptophan, 0.002%;- L-alanine, 0.001%; L-proline, 0.004%; L-arginine, 0.004%; L-leu- cine, 0.003%; imidazolydinyl urea, 0.007%; PEG-7- glyceryl cocoate, 0.07%.

The solution A) can also contain the first two ingredients in a different weight percents: for example, deionized water, 37.5%; phosphoric acid, 62.4%. Also the percentage of the other components can change in a concentration interval included from 0.004% to 0.120%. The solution, after a few days (8-30) , becomes slightly yellow-green coloured, but it always results effective. In turn, the solution B) contains the following ingredients: deionized water, 32.2%; citric acid, 69.3%; calcium pantothenate, 0.003%; p-amino benzoic acid, 0.007%; propylene glycole, 0.004%; glycerine, 0.92%; PEG-7-glyceryl cocoate, 0.14%.

The solution B) can also contain the first two ingredients in different weight percents: for example, de- ionized water, 29.7% or 76.6%, while the citric acid can be 69.3% or 22.6%. Also the percentage of the other components can change in an interval of concentrations included from 0.001% to 0.25%. The solution is stable over time.

Preferably, the concentration intervals of the different ingredients of the two solutions A) and B) which are added to the -hair cosmetic product are included from about < 0.0001% to about 3-6% by weight, based on the weight of said cosmetic product.

Preferably, the solutions A) and B) are prepared using chemical products of an analytic degree easily commercially available.

Some ingredients are added to the products used for the reconstituting treatment of the hair in a very low quantity.

In the embodiment above described, the method substantially includes the preparation of the colouring mix- ture, according to the procedure used by the hairdresser and previously described, namely the cream is squeezed from the container-tube in the bowl, the hydrogen peroxide is added and, without mixing, the solution A) and B) are rapidly added by means of a dropping tube, before the A then the B solution, until the ammonia level is lowered under the perception threshold or to the desired value.

The gas determination is carried out in a closed system consisted of a plastic tube with the same diameter of the bowl, by placing the detector previously described at a height of 30 or 50 cm.

At this point, the mixture is well blended for about two minutes, then this is applied on the hair of the guest for the time usually prescribed in the use instructions of the commercial colouring cream used. As above mentioned, the method of the present invention allows to effectively control the reduction/elimination of the ammonia in the environment, for example in the beauty salons atmosphere, during the preparation of the hair colouring creams based on ammonia, thanks to the addition of a proper mixture of the ingredients previously described; each mixture being modulated as a function of the type of cream and the colour nuance to be obtained. Advantageously and completely unexpectedly, thanks to the use of the ammonia-blocking compositions of the present invention, it has also been possible to obtain excellent final colours of the hair, according to the standard colours.

Said ammonia-blocking compositions of the present invention are applicable to all kinds of oxidation colouring creams generally commercially available, without having to modify the same in any way. The quantity of composition • to be added to the aforesaid creams is varying within the limits previously shown, depending on the type of the colouring product used.

By operating in the conditions previously shown, the reaction time, namely the time required for obtaining the hair colouring or decolouring has resulted to be practically the same observed without the mixture of the present invention.

Advantageously, the quantity of ammonia emitted in the atmosphere can be reduced up to 0 ppm for natural effect colouring products.

For colouring creams with brilliant reflections richer in ammonia, the quantity of ammonia emitted in the atmosphere can be reduced to less than 30 ppm; preferably, less than 25 ppm; more preferably, less than 15 ppm or also less than 10 ppm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said ammonia quantity is reduced to levels < 10 ppm.

The following experimental section describes, by mere way of example and non limiting the invention, some examples of final mixtures and their applications. Example 1

Mixture 1: following the preparation method above described, the following ingredients are mixed in a shredder at room temperature (the quantities are expressed by weight percent, %w/w, based on the total weight of the mixture) : citric acid (11.70%); ascorbic acid (10.85%); tartaric acid (9.32%); glutamic acid (9.08%); gallic acid

(10.49%); pyromellitic acid (3.04%); fumaric acid

(3.90%); nicotinic acid (2.68%); tannic acid (0.061%); inositol (11.07%); calcium pantothenate (2.80%); cetearyl alcohol (0.61%); gliceryl stearate (0.61%);

EDTA (0.30%); glutathione (0.30%); soy lecithin

(0.30%); polyethylene glycol (20.70%); choline bitar- trate (2.62%) .

The mixture looks like an emulsion which remains solid if stored at 5-10⁰C.

The mixture is used in the Wella Koleston Perfect 2/00 commercial hair dye. In a bowl, and without admixing, 10 g. of colouring cream, 10 ml of 30 vol. H₂O₂, which covers the cream as uniform as possible, 0.2 g. of mixture 1 are added, followed by hand mixing of the components through the plastic brush.

The quantity of ammonia vapours emitted in the air, measured upon the bowl with the detector previously shown in the description, amounts to 10 ppm. The resulting cream is applied on 8-9 locks of hair for a reaction time of 35 min. at room temperature. The resulting colour is compared with the one of similar locks of the same individual, treated for the same time with the same colouring cream without the addition of Mixture 1.

Significant colour differences between the two groups of locks of hair have not been observed. Example 2

Mixture 2 : following the preparation method above described, the following ingredients are mixed (the quantities are expressed by weight percent, %w/w, based on the total weight of the mixture) : citric acid (12.2%); ascorbic acid (10.14%); tartaric acid (5.92%); glutamic acid (9.25%); gallic acid (10.65%); pyromellitic acid (3.09%); fumaric acid (6.67%); nicotinic acid (2.73%); tannic acid (0.061%); inositol (11.25%); calcium pantothenate (1.71%); cetearyl alcohol (0.030%); gliceryl stearate (0.62%); EDTA (0.30%); glutathione (0.30%); soy lecithin (0.30%); polyethylene glycol (18.2%); choline bitar- trate (2.66%); ethyl alcohol (1.24%); propylene glycol (3.27%) .

The mixture looks like a stable emulsion. The mixture is used in the Wella Koleston Perfect 5/5 commercial hair dye.

In a plastic bowl, 10 g. of colouring cream, 10 ml of 30 vol. H₂O₂, which cover the cream as uniform as possible and 0.2 g. of mixture 2 are added, followed by hand mixing of the components.

The quantity of ammonia vapours released in the air, measured upon the bowl with the detector previously shown in the description, amounts to 10 ppm. The resulting cream is applied on 8-9 locks of hair for a reaction time of 35 min.

The resulting colour is compared with the one of similar locks of the same individual, treated for the same time, with the same colouring cream without the addition of Mixture 2.

Significant colour differences between the two groups of locks of hair have not been observed. Example 3 Mixture 3 : following the preparation method above described, the following ingredients are mixed (the quantities are expressed by weight percent, %w/w, based on the total weight of the mixture) : citric acid (19.5%); ascorbic acid (7.8%); tartaric acid (0.6%); glutamic acid (9.7%); gallic acid (7.8%); pyromellitic acid (3.2%); fumaric acid (9.7%); nicotinic acid (2.8%); palmitic acid (0.3%); inositol (11.8%); calcium pantothenate (0.6%); EDTA (0.30%); glutathione (0.30%); soy lecithin (0.30%); polyethylene glycol (13%); choline bitartrate (2.8%); ethyl alcohol (2.6%); propylene glycol (6.8%).

The mixture is used in the Wella Koleston Perfect 8/43 commercial hair dye.

In a plastic bowl, 10 g. of colouring cream, 10 ml of 30 vol. H₂O₂, which cover the cream as uniform as possible and 0.2 g. of mixture 3 are added, followed by hand mixing of the components.

The resulting colour is compared with the one of similar locks of the same individual, treated for the same time with the same colouring cream without the addition of the Mixture 3.

The colour of the group of locks of hair treated with the Mixture 3 has resulted slightly darker than the analogous untreated groups of locks . Example 4

Mixture 4 : following the preparation method above described, the following ingredients are mixed (the quantities are expressed by weight percent, %w/w, based on the total weight of the mixture) : citric acid (30.7%); ascorbic acid (12.3%); tartaric acid (0.6%); glutamic acid (9.2%); gallic acid (3.1%); pyromellitic acid (3.3%); fumaric acid (3.1%); nicotinic acid (2.5%); tannic acid (0.06%); palmitic acid (0.6%); inositol (9.2%); calcium pantothenate (0-.6%); glyceryl stearate (0.6%); EDTA (0.4%); glutathione (0.30%); soy lecithin (0.30%); polyethylene glycol (13.8%); choline bitartrate (2.5%); ethyl alcohol (1.2%); propylene glycol (5%); N,N-dimethylene glycine (0.3%) .

The mixture is used in the Wella Koleston Perfect 8/43 commercial hair dye.

In a plastic bowl, 10 g. of colouring cream, 10 ml of 30 vol. H₂O₂, which cover the cream as uniform as possible and 0.3 g. of mixture 4 are added, followed by hand mixing of the components .

The quantity of ammonia vapours released in the air, measured on the bowl with the detector previously shown in the description, amounts to 10 ppm. The resulting cream is applied on 8-9 locks of hair for a reaction time of 35 min.

The resulting colour is compared with the one of similar locks of the same individual, treated for the same time with the same colouring cream without the addition of the Mixture 4.

The colour of the two aforesaid groups of locks of hair is practically corresponding. Example 5

The Mixture 4 of the preceding example is used in the l'Oreal Majirel Ionene 7/44 hair commercial dye. In a plastic bowl, 10 g. of colouring cream, 10 ml of 40 vol. H₂O₂, 0.4 g. of mixture 4 are added, followed by hand mixing of the components.

The quantity of ammonia vapours released in the air, measured upon the bowl with the detector previously shown in the description, resulted lower than 30 ppm. The resulting cream is applied on 8-9 locks of hair for a reaction time of 30 min.

The colour of the two aforesaid groups of locks of hair is practically corresponding.

By using higher quantities of cream (30-60 g.), the quantity of added mixture can result greater. Analogous experiments conducted using hair colouring creams from Schwarzkopf Igora (respectively, 9/75; 12/0; 6/888; 5/98; 7/77; 1/0; 5/89), by properly varying the quantity of blocking compositions added as a function of the ammonia quantity present in the aforesaid creams, have given satisfactory colouring results, very similar to those above described. From an examination of the data summarized in the preceding examples, the importance that the different ingredients have in the research of the ideal hair colouring clearly arises.

By properly varying the choice of the ingredients, it is possible to cover all the colour shades of the ammonia-containing hair dyes.

Accordingly, thanks to the execution of the mixtures above described and their use for pre-treating the ammonia-containing hair colouring creams, it has been possible to eliminate from the beauty salons the unpleasant, irritant and dangerous ammonia vapours emit- ted from said products.

As it is shown by the examples 3 and 4, it is understood that it is necessary to study several delicate variations in the choice of the ingredients, in order to establish a procedure for obtaining the harmony of the colour with the standard one.

Some ingredients listed in the list above mentioned and existing, in some cases, in the different hair colouring creams and within the hydrogen peroxide of the various brands, have to be added to the mixture in suitable quantities, for the purpose of obtaining the better colours .

In each case, the irritating, dangerous and unpleasant ammonia vapours are eliminated from the beauty salons through the adoption of a simple procedure (the addition of one or more pre-defined blocking compositions of the present invention) ; this is one of the sensitive advantages of the invention.

The method of the present invention allows to block, at room temperature, the ammonia vapours which are emitted at the opening of the cream bottle or tube for the hair treatment during the preparation of the colour, for the processing of the cream with hydrogen peroxide and during the application of the colour itself on the hair. Amongst the advantages produced by the method of the present invention, the following have to be pointed out:

- it reduces or removes the ammonia from the atmosphere in the beauty salons and the hairdresser shops;

- it prevents some professional disease of the operators and the intoxication of the guests, due to the development of said vapours;

- it has a positive impact, both environmental and aquiferous;

- it can be used with all the ammonia-containing oxi- ^" dation creams all over the world;

- the ammonia-blocking compositions are stable over time;

- the colouring times are the same of the traditional colouring creams;

- the ammonia-blocking compositions have a positive impact on the final colour obtained; accordingly, they can be also used for creating new nuances starting from oxidation colouring creams.

Claims

1. Method for controlling and lowering the ammonia vapours, emitted from the products used for modifying the hair colour, including at least a step a) consisting of:

- adding to said products for modifying the hair colour one or more ammonia-blocking compositions, each including an effective quantity of at least an ingredient selected from the following compounds : anhydrous or monohydrate citric acid; ascorbic acid; DL-tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; inositol; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; calcium salt pantothenic acid; cetearyl alcohol; tannic acid; glyceryl stearate; ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA; glutathione; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol 200, PEG 200; choline bitartrate; ethyl alcohol; propylene glycol; malic acid; cholic acid; palmitic acid; pangamic acid; azelaic acid; ethydronic acid; arachidic acid; suberic acid; sorbic acid; salicylic acid: aspartic acid; succinic acid; benzoic acid; cinnamic acid; glycolic acid; stearic acid; oleic acid; valeric acid; pimelic acid; myristic acid; glutaric acid; oxalic acid; 1, 2, 4-benzenetricarboxylic acid; 1, 3, 5-benzenetricarboxylic acid; mellitic acid; phosphoric acid; L-tryptophan; L-alanine; L-proline; L-arginine; L-arginine.HCl; L-leucine; imidazolydinyl urea; PEG-7-cocoate; p-amino benzoic acid; PEG-7- gyceryl cocoate; potassium persulfate; sodium persul- fate; ammonium persulfate; zinc oxide; zinc acetate; zinc sulfate; zinc gluconate; zinc citrate; titanium oxide.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one. ingredient is selected from: citric acid; ascorbic acid; phosphoric acid; tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; tannic acid; p-amino benzoic acid; palmitic acid; inositol; tryptophan; L- alanine; L-proline; L-arginine; L-leucine; imidazolydinyl urea; calcium pantothenate; cetearyl alcohol; gliceryl stearate; EDTA; glutathione; N, N- dimethyl glycine; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; ethyl alcohol; glycerine; PEG-7- glyceryl cocoate; choline bitartrate; PEG 200; deion- ized water.

3. Method according to any one of the claims 1 to 2, wherein said at least one ingredient is selected from: citric acid; ascorbic acid; tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; tannic acid; palmitic acid; inositol; calcium pantothenate; cetearyl alcohol; gliceryl stearate; EDTA; glutathione; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol; choline bitartrate; ethyl alcohol; propylene glycol; N,N-dimethyl glycine.

4. Method according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said products for modifying the hair colour are selected from the oxidation colouring creams.

5. Method according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the concentration of each of the ingredients existing in one of said ammonia-blocking compositions is between about < 0.0001% and about 3-6% by weight, based on the total weight of said composition.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the complementary part to 100% in said composition is represented by deionized water.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further including the following steps: b) mixing the whole products from step a) of the claim 1; c) applying the obtained mixture on the hair; d) letting said mixture act for the required time; preferably for a time between 25 and 50 min., more preferably from 30 to 45 min.

8. Ammonia-blocking composition including a mixture consisting of two or more ingredients selected from: citric acid; ascorbic acid; phosphoric acid; tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; tannic acid; p-amino benzoic acid; palmitic acid; inositol; tryptophan; L- alanine; L-proline; L-arginine; L-leucine; imida- zolydinyl urea; calcium pantothenate; cetearyl alcohol; gliceryl stearate; EDTA; glutathione; N, N- dimethyl glycine; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; ethyl alcohol; glycerine; PEG-7- glyceryl cocoate; choline bitartrate; PEG 200; deion- ized water.

9. Composition according to claim 8, wherein said ingredients are selected from: citric, acid; ascorbic acid; tartaric acid; glutamic acid; gallic acid; pyromellitic acid; fumaric acid; nicotinic acid; tannic acid; palmitic acid; inositol; calcium pantothenate; cetearyl alcohol; gliceryl stearate; EDTA; glutathione; soy lecithin; polyethylene glycol; choline bitartrate; ethyl alcohol; propylene glycol; N,N-dimethyl glycine, deionized water.

10. Composition according to any one of the claims 8 or 9, wherein the concentration of each of the ingredients present in said composition is between about < 0.0001% and about 3-6% by weight, based on the total weight of said composition.

11. Composition according to claim 10, wherein the complementary part to 100% in said composition is represented by deionized water.

12. Use of a composition according to any one of the claims 8 to 11, for controlling and lowering the ammonia vapours emission from the products used for modifying the hair colour.

12. Use according to claim 11, wherein said ammonia vapours reduction occurs during the application of said products to the hair.

13. Use according to claims 11 and 12, wherein said products for modifying the hair colour are oxidation creams .

14. Use of a composition according to any one of the claims 8 to 11 for improving the quality of the hair colour.

15. Use of one or more ingredients according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, for the preparation of an ammonia-blocking composition.