GB675870A - Improvements in or relating to permanent waving and similar treatment of the hair - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition for permanent waving or similar treatment of hair comprises a reducing agent, an alkaline substance to give the composition a pH value greater than 7, and an aluminium compound soluble in the alkaline composition. The composition is preferably employed in solution at a pH of 9-9.5 which may be obtained by means of a weakly alkaline substance such as ammonia. The aluminium compound may be aluminium tartrate. An aluminium salt which is rendered soluble in the alkaline composition by the addition of tartaric or citric acid or other organic compound containing hydroxy groups may be used. The reducing agent is preferably one which contains a mercapto group. If the mercapto compound contains an acid group such as a sulphonic or carboxylic group, a water-soluble aluminium salt of that compound may be used. The composition may be prepared in solid form if desired. Perfumes, wetting agents, dyes, alcohols, glycerine, or acetone may be added to the composition. In an example, 7 grams of thioglycollic acid are dissolved in 50 c.c. of water. To this is added a solution of 3.5 grams of crystalline aluminium sulphate and 3.5 grams of seignette salt in 30 c.c. of water, and the total volume is adjusted to 100 c.c. by adding water, after adding 15 c.c. of strong ammonia. In another example, seignette salt solution is added to aluminium sulphate solution and the pH is adjusted to 7-7.5. The solution is then atomized by hot air and the water is evaporated leaving a white powder. The sodium salt of a mercapto-butane sulphonic acid is mixed with the powder. The mixture is dissolved in water with the addition of ammonia to give a permanent-waving solution. The solution may also be used for straightening naturally curly hair. Hydrogen peroxide or bromates may be used for the subsequent fixing.