| abstract |
An aqueous, alcoholic or hydroalcholic composition containing one or more oligomers or prepolymers that are polymerized in-situ, while the oligomer(s) is in contact with the hair, for in-situ formation (polymerization) of a polymer. The oligomer compositions contain essentially no toxic, hazardous or harmful monomer(s), such as resorcinol. In-situ polymerization provides substantially increased body to the hair; provides better, more continuous films of polymer into and onto the hair; provides a polymer coating with less flaking; will provide a more complete bond to adjacent hair shafts and to each individual hair shaft; better protects the hair against uptake of humidity; strengthens damaged hair; resists removal through at least three shampoos; are useful together with permanent wave reducing and oxidizing agents to make permanent waves more durable; prevents leach out of hair colors; provides for higher loading of polymer into and onto the hair and, therefore, better set retention; and provides a more durable set retention that also protects the hair against thermal damage and better resists hair uptake of atmospheric contaminants. When the polymerization of the oligomer or prepolymer results in a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) less than about 120 DEG C., the polymer can be repeatedly heated and cooled to reset the hair many times to reconfigure the hair without degrading the polymer. |