| abstract |
Current enzymatic processes for the depilation of hair require long processing times and are relatively expensive and chemical processes often create odor and/or effluent disposal problems. In the present invention, skins to be depilated are contacted with an oxidizing solution in the form of foam, instead of the liquid compositions previously used. The foam normally comprises an oxidizing agent, a pH regulator and a surfactant composition with a high foaming power. The oxidizing agent is preferably hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid. After the oxidation of the hair, the foam is preferably caused to collapse and depilation is desirably completed in a mechanical stage. In this process, the amount of fluid coming into contact with the skins during the depilation stage is minimized, thus reducing intumescence and, secondly, the amount of effluent. |