Methods of neutralizing relaxed hair and compositions for same

Abstract

The present invention relates to processes for neutralizing relaxed hair. Still further, the present invention relates to neutralizer compositions for use on relaxed hair. Still further, the present invention relates to a system for neutralizing relaxed hair. Yet further, the invention relates to relaxed hair neutralized by the compositions and methods disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A system for neutralizing relaxed hair comprising:
 a) a mousse concentrate comprising water, an acid and a surfactant; and   b) one or more propellants,
 wherein the system is suitable for applying to relaxed hair to provide neutralization thereof. 
   
     
     
         2 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellants comprise carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         3 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellants comprise one or more of: a hydrocarbon, a hydroflurocarbon or dimethyl ether. 
     
     
         4 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellants comprise a mixture of carbon dioxide and one or more of a hydrocarbon, a hydroflurocarbon or dimethyl ether. 
     
     
         5 ) The system of  claim 1  having a pH of from about 3.5 to 8.0. 
     
     
         6 ) The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a container, wherein the mousse concentrate and the one or more propellants is contained therein. 
     
     
         7 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellants comprises carbon dioxide, wherein the pressure of the propellants in the container is from about 50 to about 200 psi. 
     
     
         8 ) A kit comprising the neutralizer system of  claim 1  and a relaxing agent. 
     
     
         9 ) The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the relaxing agent comprises a no-lye relaxing agent. 
     
     
         10 ) A method for neutralizing relaxed hair comprising:
 a) providing hair that has been treated with a relaxing agent; and   b) contacting the relaxed hair with one or more applications of a neutralizer mousse composition for from about 30 seconds to about 20 minutes, wherein the hair is not massaged or kneaded while the neutralizer mousse composition is in contact with the relaxed hair.   
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a step (c), wherein step (c) comprises rinsing the neutralizer mousse composition from the relaxed hair, thereby providing hair that has been relaxed and neutralized. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein after step b), the relaxed and neutralized hair exhibits at least about 10% fewer broken hair fibers as compared to relaxed hair that has been neutralized with a shampoo neutralizer product. 
     
     
         13 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein after step b), the relaxed and neutralized hair exhibits at least about 20% fewer broken hair fibers as compared to relaxed hair that has been neutralized with a shampoo neutralizer product. 
     
     
         14 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein the relaxing agent comprises a no-lye relaxing agent. 
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 10  wherein step b) is repeated from about 1 to about 5 additional times. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein the neutralizer mousse composition remains in contact with the hair for from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein the relaxed and neutralized hair has an internal pH of from about 7.0 to about 11.0 after rinsing of the neutralizer mousse composition from the relaxed hair, wherein the internal pH is measured after soaking about 1 gram of hair in about 100 ml of distilled water for about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         18 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein the relaxed and neutralized hair has an internal pH of from about 8.5 to about 10.5 after rinsing of the neutralizer mousse composition from the relaxed hair, wherein the internal pH is measured after soaking about 1 gram of hair in about 100 ml of distilled water for about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         19 ) The method of  claim 10 , wherein the neutralizer mousse composition comprises:
 a) a mousse concentrate comprising water, an acid and a surfactant; and   b) one or more propellants.   
     
     
         20 ) The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more propellants comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         21 ) The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more propellants comprise one or more of: a hydrocarbon, a hydroflurocarbon or dimethyl ether. 
     
     
         22 ) The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more propellants comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide and one or more of: a hydrocarbon, a hydroflurocarbon or dimethyl ether. 
     
     
         23 ) The method of  claim 19 , wherein the neutralizer mousse composition has a pH of from about 3.5 to about 8. 
     
     
         24 ) The method of  claim 19 , wherein the neutralizer mousse composition is applied from a container suitable for dispensing a foam. 
     
     
         25 ) The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more propellants comprises carbon dioxide, wherein the pressure of the CO 2  in the container is from about 50 to about 200 psi. 
     
     
         26 ) Hair treated with the method of  claim 10 .