PROCESS FOR TREATING KERATIN FIBERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a process for treating keratin fibers such as hair, as well as a composition and ^' a kit to be used for the process.

BACKGROUND ART

Due to the many physical stresses (UV, shampoo, brushing, and the like) and chemical stresses (coloration, perm, relaxing,

pollution, and the like) that keratin fibers such as hair must undergo daily, research for effectively repairing damaged keratin fibers has become important in the cosmetic treatments for keratin fibers.

Repairing damaged keratin fibers is only worthwhile if a real sensation of return to the original state of the keratin fibers is perceived. Furthermore, the repairing treatment should be effective against various stresses, as mentioned before.

Technologies (compositions and/or processes) known as treatments for repairing damaged keratin fibers that have been proposed are still insufficient insofar as they are often temporary and do not achieve proper recovery of keratin fiber integrity.

FR-A-2760359, USP 5935560, WO 01/689, and FR-2847806 disclose covalently binding several kinds of cosmetic materials to keratin fibers in order to perform effective and resistant repair treatment for the keratin' fibers.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Nevertheless, their benefits,, in particular those of reactive polymers, on keratin fibers are still insufficient due to their low grafting yield onto the keratin fibers as well as low penetration into the keratin fibers. This means that the efficiency of the cosmetic treatment of keratin fibers using a reactive polymer is low and a large quantity of reactive polymer is necessary in the formulation used for the cosmetic treatment. Thus, an objective of the present invention is to provide a new treatment process for keratin fibers such as hair, using a reactive polymer, even with a relatively small amount thereof, which provides the keratin fibers with good cosmetic effects, in particular superior repairing or recovering effects, which can be effective against various stresses for a long time.

The above objective of the present invention can be achieved by a process for treating keratin fibers comprising the steps of:

applying onto the keratin fibers a composition comprising at least one reactive polymer;

then placing the keratin fibers in an occlusive space; and then heating the keratin fibers,

wherein

the composition contains neither a reducing agent nor a source of carbonate ions of the formula:

wherein

X is a group selected from the group consisting of 0 ^~ , OH, NH ₂ , 0- OH, and O-COO ^" .

The above process may further comprise the step of rinsing the keratin fibers after the step of applying the composition onto the keratin fibers and/or after the step of heating the keratin fibers .

Mechanical tension may be provided to the keratin fibers. The mechanical tension may be provided by using at least one

reshaping means selected from the group consisting of a curler, a roller, a plate and an iron.

The occlusive space may be formed by at least one coating means. The coating means may be rigid or flexible. The coating means may comprise at least one member selected from the group

consisting of a film and a sheet.

In the above process, the keratin fibers may be heated at 45°C to 250°C during the step of heating the keratin fibers. The keratin fibers may be heated by at least one heater providing at least one selected from the group consisting of hot air, hot steam, high frequency induction heating, microwave heating, infrared ray irradiation, laser, and flash lamp irradiation. The coating means and/or the reshaping means may comprise the heater.

The reactive polymer may have a molecular weight of more than 5000.

The reactive polymer may be capable of forming a covalent bond with the keratin fibers.

The reactive polymer may comprise at least one chemical

functional group chosen from the following functional groups:

halogen; epoxide; aziridine; vinyl and activated vinyl; anhydride, acid chloride and carboxylic acid esters; acetals; hemiacetals; aminals; hemiaminals; ketones; a-hydroxy ketones; a-halo ketones; lactones; thiolactones ; isocyanate; thiocyanate; imines; imides; N-hydroxysuccinimide esters; imidates; oxazine and oxazoline;

oxazinium and oxazolinium; Ci-C ₃₀ alkyl halides, and C ₆ -C ₃₀ aryl or aralkyl halides wherein halogen is chosen from I, Br and CI;

halides of unsaturated carbon-based rings and heterocycles

wherein halogen is chosen from I, Br and CI; and sulphonyl halide chosen from RS0 ₂ C1 and RS0 ₂ F wherein R is chosen from C1-C30 alkyl groups .

The reactive polymer may comprise at least one chemical

functional group chosen from hydroxyl, primary and secondary amine, alkoxy, carboxy, acyloxy, enoxy, ketoximo, amido, aminoxy, and alkenyloxy groups.

The composition may comprise the reactive polymer in an amount of 0.001 to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the

composition. The pH of the composition may range from 6 to 11.

Another aspect of the present invention is a composition for treating keratin fibers to be heated in an occlusive space, comprising at least one reactive polymer,

wherein

the composition contains neither a reducing agent nor a source of carbonate ions of the formula:

wherein

X is a group selected from the group consisting of 0 ^" , OH, NH ₂ , 0- OH, -and O-COO ^" . The present invention also relates to a kit for treating keratin fibers, comprising:

a device comprising

at least one coating means to form an occlusive space, and at least one heater to heat the keratin fibers in the occlusive space;

and .

a composition comprising at least one reactive polymer,

wherein

the composition contains neither a reducing agent nor a source of carbonate ions of the formula:

wherein

X is a group selected from the group consisting of 0 ^" , OH, N¾, 0- OH, and O-COO ^" .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT OF THE INVENTION

After diligent research, the inventors have discovered that it is possible to provide keratin fibers such as hair with good

cosmetic effects, by using a reactive polymer, and in particular superior repairing or recovering effects, which can be effective against various stresses for a long time, by using a composition comprising a reactive polymer with a specific heating process for the keratin fibers.

The above specific heating process is performed in a closed or occlusive environment, which limits the evaporation of water or moisture from the keratin fibers and maintains the keratin fibers at higher temperature preferably in the wet state. Accordingly, the keratin fibers can be evenly heated, and the reactive polymer can easily penetrate into or deposit onto the keratin fibers such that it can remain in or on the keratin fibers for a long time even after some stresses such as shampooing.

Since a reactive polymer can easily stay on or in the keratin fibers, the process according to the present invention can exhibit good cosmetic effects by using even a relatively small amount of reactive polymer as compared to a conventional process in which it is difficult for a reactive polymer to stay on or in the keratin fibers. The composition used in the present invention must not contain any reducing agents such as thiol-compounds . Therefore, malodor derived from the reducing agents can be prevented. Furthermore, the composition used in the present invention must not contain any carbonate ion source as defined above. Therefore, cosmetic treatment is more effective, because there is no possibility of producing carbon dioxide which may form a foam that may inhibit the deposition or penetration of the reactive polymer on or into the keratin fibers.

(Composition)

The composition used for the present invention comprises at least one reactive polymer.

As used herein, the term "reactive polymer" is intended to mean any polymer having at least one moiety which can chemically react with a substance other then the polymer. The term "polymer" here means a molecule having repeating units which preferably have a molecular weight of more than 5000, in particular 10000.

Preferably, the reactive polymer is capable of forming at least one covalent bond with keratin fibers such as hair. Thus, the reactive polymer preferably has at least one chemical functional group which can form at least one covalent bond with at least one functional group on keratin fibers. As the functional group on the keratin fibers, mention may be made of, for example, -SH, -OH, -COOH, and -NH ₂ .

The chemical functional group may be chosen from the group (Group A) consisting of halogen; epoxide; aziridine; vinyl and activated vinyl; anhydride, acid chloride and carboxylic acid esters;

acetals; hemiacetals; aminals; hemiaminals; ketones; -hydroxy ketones; -halo ketones; lactones; thiolactones ; isocyanate;

thiocyanate; imines; imides; N-hydroxysuccinimide esters;

imidates; oxazine and oxazoline; oxazinium and oxazolinium; C1-.C30 alkyl halides, and C6-C30 aryl or aralkyl halides wherein halogen is chosen from I, Br and CI; halides of unsaturated carbon-based rings and heterocycles wherein halogen is chosen from I, Br and CI; and sulphonyl halide chosen from RS0 ₂ C1 and RS0 ₂ F wherein R is chosen from Ci-C ₃₀ alkyl groups.

Alternatively, the chemical functional group may be chosen from the group (Group B) consisting of hydroxyl, primary and secondary amine, alkoxy, carboxy, acyloxy, enoxy, ketoximo, amido, aminoxy, and alkenyloxy groups. Preferably, the chemical functional group may be chosen from functional groups of XH _n , wherein X is chosen from 0, N, and COO, and n=l or 2.

The chemical functional group may react with the functional group on keratin fibers, either spontaneously or via an activator chosen from temperature, pH, at least one co-reagent, and at least one catalyst chosen from chemical and biochemical catalysts, for instance, an enzyme.

A reactive polymer having an alkoxy group or groups, such as trimethoxy-terminated polysiloxane, can react with keratin fibers by hydrolyzing to form a silanol or silanols which will then form a siloxane bond or bonds with hydroxy group (s) on the keratin fibers.

Due to the grafting of the reactive polymer (s) onto keratin fibers, the keratin fibers can provide cosmetic properties

depending on the type of the reactive polymer (s). Since the reactive polymer (s) can be firmly fixed on the keratin fibers, the cosmetic properties provided by the reactive polymer (s) can last for a long time. For example, if a silicone polymer with an alkoxy group is grafted onto keratin fibers, smoothness could remain for a long time.

The polymers may be synthesized

by free-radical reactions (for example, polyacrylates ,

polymethacrylates, polyvinyls, etc.),

by condensation reactions (for example, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyurethanes, polydimethylsiloxanes , polypeptides, etc . ) , and

by ring-opening reactions (for example, polyesters, etc.).

The polymers may be of an origin chosen from natural, chemically modified and unmodified origins, such as polysaccharides

(cellulose, dextran, chitosan, guar and the hydroxyalkyl,

carboxymethyl, and amino derivatives thereof, and derivatives thereof comprising functional groups chosen from epoxy groups) .

The polymers may be in any type of topology chosen from linear, branched, starburst and hyperbranched (for example, dendrimers) chains, and block, random, and alternating chains. The chemical functional groups may be naturally present on the polymer chain, at the end of the chain,, grafted along the main chain or the secondary chains, or on the branches of starburst or hyperbranched polymers.

The reactive polymer comprises at least one chemical functional group selected from Groups A and B. In one embodiment, the reactive polymer may contain two identical or different chemical functional groups.

As the reactive polymer, mention may be made of:

dendrimers comprising end groups chosen from OH, N¾, and COOH of at least one generation in combination with at least one polymer chosen from polymers comprising functional groups chosen from anhydride units, such as maleic anhydride, and polymers

comprising at least one group chosen from epoxide groups;

synthetic polymers comprising hydroxyl functional groups, such as polyvinyl alcohols, in combination with at least one polymer chosen from polymers comprising functional groups chosen from · anhydride units, such as maleic anhydride, and polymers

comprising epoxide groups;

polyethyleneimines in combination with at least one polymer chosen from polymers comprising functional groups chosen from anhydride units, such as maleic anhydride, and polymers

comprising at least one group chosen from epoxide groups;

polyamino acids comprising functional groups chosen from free OH, NH ₂ , and COOH groups, for example polylysine, in combination with at least one polymer chosen from polymers comprising functional groups chosen from anhydride units, such as maleic anhydride, and polymers comprising at least one group chosen from epoxide groups;

polysaccharides chosen from natural and modified polysaccharides comprising functional groups chosen from OH, N¾, and COOH, in combination with at least one polymer chosen from polymers comprising functional groups chosen from anhydride units, such as maleic anhydride, and polymers comprising at least one group chosen from epoxide groups;

polysaccharides chosen from natural and modified polysaccharides comprising epoxy functional groups in combination with polymers chosen from synthetic and natural polymers comprising functional groups chosen from OH, NH ₂ , and COOH, for example,

polyethyleneimine, polylysine, chitosan and its derivatives, such as carboxymethylchitosans, and aminodextrans ; and

polymers chosen from natural and synthetic polymers comprising carboxylic acid functional groups in combination with polymers chosen from synthetic and natural polymers comprising functional groups chosen from OH and NH ₂ , in the presence of at least one entity chosen from carbodiimides, acids, bases and enzymes, for instance esterase, lipase and protease.

For example and without limitation, the following reactive polymers may be mentioned.

(Polymers Comprising Functional Groups of Group A) methyl vinyl ether/maleic ' anhydride copolymer, sold for example, by ISP under the name Gantrez;

polyglycidyl methacrylate, for example, sold by Polysciences ; glycidyl polydimethylsiloxane, for example, sold by Shinetsu (reference X-2Z-173 FX or DX) ;

epoxy polyamidoamine, sold, for example, by Hercules under the name Delsette 101 or Kymene 450;

epoxydextran, and

polysaccharides and polyaldehydes obtained by oxidizing

polysaccharides with NaI0 ₄ (for example, Bioconjugate Techniques; Hermanson GT, Academic Press, 1996) .

(Polymers Comprising Functional Groups of Group B)

PAMAM dendrimer, for example, sold by Dendritech, DSM, Sigma- Aldrich (Starburst, PAMAM Dendrimer, G(2, 0) from Dendritech); dendrimer comprising hydroxyl functional groups, for example, sold by Perstorp, DSM (example : ^" HBP TMP core 2 Generation

Perstorp) ;

PEI (polyethyleneimine) , for example, sold by BASF under the name Lupasol;

polylysine, for example, sold by Chisso;

HP cellulose, (such as Klucel EF from Aqualon) ;

aminodextran, sold, for example, by Carbomer;

aminocellulose, for example, those described in WO 01/25283 from BASF;

PVA (polyvinyl acetal) , for example, Airvol 540 from Air Products Chemical;

amino PVA, sold, for example, by Carbomer;

chitosan;

CM and HP dextran, sold, for example, by Fluka; and

CM and HP chitosan, sold, for example, by Fluka. Any combination of at least one reactive polymer with a chemical functional group of Group A and at least one reactive polymer with a chemical functional group of Group B, may also be used.

The at least one reactive polymer may be present in the

composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, for example, from 0.001 to 20% by weight, from 0.1 to 5% by weight, or from 0.1 to 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition used for the present invention contains neither a reducing agent nor a source of carbonate ions of the formula:

wherein

X is a group selected from the group consisting of 0 ^~ , OH, NH ₂ , 0- OH, and O-COO ^" .

The pH of the composition may range from 4 to 11, preferably between 6.0 and 9.0, and more preferably between 6.0 to 8.0.

Since the pH of the composition is not relatively high or low, damage to the keratin fibers by the composition can be reduced.

In order to adjust the pH, an acidic or alkali agent (s) other than sources of ions of the invention may be used alone or in combination. The amount of the acidic or alkali agent (s) is not limited, but may be from 0.1 to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. As the acidic agents, mention may be made of any inorganic or organic acids which are commonly used in cosmetic products such as citric acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid (HC1) . HC1 is preferable. As the alkali agents, mention may be made of any inorganic or organic basic agents which are commonly used in cosmetic products such as ammonia; alcanolamines such as mono-, di- and tri- ethanolamine, isopropanolamine; sodium and potassium hydroxides; urea, guanidine and their derivatives; basic amino acids such as lysine or arginine; and diamines such as those described in the structure below: R1 R3

\ /

N-R-N

/ \

R2 R4

wherein R denotes an alkylene such as propylene optionally

substituted by a hydroxyl or a C1-C4 alkyl radical, and Ri, R ₂ , R3 and R ₄ independently denote a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical or a C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl radical, which may be exemplified by 1,3- propanediamine and derivatives thereof. Arginine and

monoethanolamine are preferred.

The composition used for the present invention may also comprise one or more additional cosmetic agent (s) . The amount of the additional cosmetic agent (s) is not limited, but may be from 0.1 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.. The cosmetic. agent ( s ) may be selected from the group consisting of volatile or non volatile, linear or cyclic, amine-type or not, silicones, cationic, anionic, non ionic or amphoteric polymers, peptides and derivatives thereof, protein hydrolyzates, synthetic or natural waxes, and especially fatty alcohols, swelling agents and penetrating agents, as well as other active compounds, such as anionic, cationic, non ionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, agents for combating hair loss, anti-dandruff agents, associative-type or not, natural or synthetic thickeners,

suspending agents, sequestering agents, opacifying agents, dyes, sunscreen agents, fillers, vitamins or. provitamins, mineral, vegetable or synthetic oils, as well as fragrances, preserving agents, stabilizers, and mixtures thereof.

The vehicle for the composition used for the present invention is preferably an aqueous medium consisting of water and may

advantageously contain one or several cosmetically acceptable organic solvents, which particularly include alcohols, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol, or polyols or polyol ethers, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl and monobutyl ethers, propylene glycol or ethers thereof, such as propylene glycol monomethylether,

butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol as well as diethylene glycol alkyl ethers, such as diethylene glycol monoethylether or

monobutylether . The water may be present in a concentration of from 10 to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The organic solvent (s) may then be present in a concentration of from 0.1 to 20% by weight, and preferably from 1 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The composition used in the present invention may exist in any form such as a lotion, a gel, thickened or not, or a cream.

(Keratin Fiber Treatment Process)

The process for treating keratin fibers according to the present invention can be performed by

applying onto the keratin fibers a composition comprising at least one reactive polymer, as described above;

then placing the keratin fibers in an occlusive space; and then heating the keratin fibers,

According to the present invention relating to the treatment process for keratin fibers, keratin fibers such as hair are subjected to a specific heating process which is performed in an occlusive space.

The heating process can be performed by any heating means which can be freely controlled to realize the temperature desired for the process.

The heating process may preferably be performed by using a special heating device or devices that can form an occlusive space to restrict the evaporation of evaporable components such as water in the above-described composition from keratin fibers and keep a predetermined temperature in the heating device throughout the process.

If the evaporable components such as water in the above-described composition evaporate from the keratin fibers, most of the heat energy applied to the keratin fibers will be consumed by the evaporation, and therefore the temperature of the keratin fibers cannot increase up to the predetermined temperature until all- evaporable components in the composition evaporate.

The above heating device may comprise a heat energy source being either in contact with keratin fibers or apart from keratin fibers, and at least one means to form an occlusive space surrounding the keratin fibers.

The heat energy source- is used to heat keratin fibers. The heat energy source may be at least one heater providing at least one selected from the group consisting of hot air, hot steam, high frequency induction heating, microwave heating, infrared ray irradiation, laser, and flash lamp irradiation.

The occlusive space may be formed by at least one coating means. A plurality of coating means may be used. The coating means may be rigid or flexible.

The coating means may comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of a film and a sheet. The material of the film or the sheet is not limited. For example, the film or the sheet may comprise a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, a paper, a textile, a bonnet, a metal foil such as aluminum foil, and the like.

For example, the film or sheet may be set on a heating rod, a heating bar or a heating plate which is covered by keratin fibers.

According to the present invention, the coating means may

comprise the heat energy source. Therefore, for example, the film or sheet which includes a heater may be set on a rod, a bar, or a plate which is covered by keratin fibers.

The occlusive conditions can restrict the evaporation of

evaporable components such as water in the above-described

composition applied to keratin fibers, and therefore the

temperature of the keratin fibers can be increased higher than that obtainable by a conventional heating process or device for the keratin fibers in open conditions. Furthermore, the keratin fibers can be heated effectively, and the keratin fibers can be heated evenly.

According to one variant of the present invention, the occlusive space may comprise apertures, the surface area of which is less than 5%, preferably less than 3% and more particularly less than 0.5% of the total surface area of the coating means. According to this variant, the total surface area of the coating means comprises the surface area of, when it is present, an opening means for the coating means.

The apertures may be passages, holes or orifices, which may allow an exchange of air between the occlusive space and the exterior thereof, especially when the reaction such as forming vapor inside the occlusive space is too great. On the other hand, a person skilled in the art could form the apertures such that the diffusion of heat in the occlusive space is not impaired. The keratin fibers can be heated at 45°C to 250°C, preferably 60°C to 200°C, more preferably 60°C to 150°C, more preferably 60°C to 90°C, during the step of heating the keratin fibers.

The heating process may be performed for an appropriate time which is required to treat keratin fibers. The time length for the heating process is not limited, but it may be from 1 minute to 2 hours, preferably 1 minute to 1 hour, and more preferably 1 minute to 30 minutes. For example, the time for heating may be from 5 to 20 minutes, preferably 10 to 15 minutes.

The keratin fibers may be rinsed after the step of applying the composition onto the keratin fibers and/or after the step of heating the keratin fibers.

(Permanent Deformation Process for Keratin Fiber)

According to the present invention relating to the treatment process for keratin fibers, the keratin fiber may be subjected to mechanical tension which is typically used for permanent

deformation .

The permanent deformation process for keratin fibers when

mechanical tension is applied to keratin fibers may be performed as follows.

First, keratin fibers are subjected to mechanical tension for deformation. The mechanical tension can be applied to the keratin fibers by any means to deform the keratin fibers to an intended shape. For example, the mechanical tension may be provided by at least one reshaping means selected from the group consisting of a curler, a roller, a clip, a plate and an iron. The reshaping means may comprise at least one heater as described above. If the keratin fibers are rolled around a curler, this rolling-up may be performed on the entire length of the keratin fibers or, for example, on half the length of the keratin fibers. Depending on, for example, the desired hairstyle shape and amount of curls, the rolling-up may be performed with more or less thick locks .

Next, the above-described composition is applied to the keratin fibers. The application of the composition may be performed by any means, such as a brush and a comb. The keratin fibers to which the mechanical tension has been applied should be treated with the composition. It may be possible that the keratin fibers are left as they are for a certain amount of time, if necessary.

^{^} Lastly, the above-described heating process is performed. The heat energy is applied to the keratin fibers under occlusive conditions as described above.

This process for permanent deformation of keratin fibers may be performed without any step of oxidizing the keratin fibers.

Therefore, the time required for the process according to the present invention can be shorter than that for a conventional process which needs an oxidizing step. Furthermore, damage to the keratin fibers by the oxidizing step can be avoided.

The keratin fibers may be rinsed after the step of applying the composition onto the keratin fibers and/or after the step of heating the keratin fibers.

One embodiment of the cosmetic treatment process according to the present invention may be a process for reshaping or permanent deforming keratin fibers, in particular hair, comprising:

a) a step of placing the keratin fibers under mechanical tension by rolling them up on at least one reshaping or mechanically tensioning means so as to form curls;

b) a step of applying the above-described composition to the keratin fibers;

c) an optional step of rinsing the keratin fibers,

d) a step of placing at least one coating means on the reshaping or mechanically tensioning means or vice versa to form one or more occlusive spaces; and

e) a step of heating the keratin fibers at a temperature of between 45 ± 2 or 3°C and 250 ± 2 or 3°C for 1 minute to 2 hours.

In this process, the temperature can be set, adjusted and

regulated by using one or more heating means, and may be measured with a thermo-measurement probe such as Digital _. Surface Sensor Module, reference MT-144, sold by Sakaguchi E.H VOC Corp (Japan), set on the keratin fibers. Normally, the probe is set on a single keratin fiber. However, it is advantageous that the probe is set on the part of the keratin fibers which directly contacts with the occlusive space, and more preferably, the probe is set on the part of the keratin fibers which directly contacts with the occlusive space and forms the curl end of the keratin fibers, if a curler is used. Preferably, the temperature is measured at atmospheric pressure of 101325 Pa.

According to the present invention, the temperature of the keratin fibers may be constant with a fluctuation of ± 2 or 3°C over the head, if the keratin fibers are hair, of an individual, and the probe may be set on any type of keratin fibers.

If the keratin fibers are hair, according to the present

invention, the constant temperature with a fluctuation of ± 2 or 3°C can be obtained for any type of hair, and the temperature of the hair can be controlled to be constant ± 2 or 3°C during the heating of the hair at a certain temperature. Thus, the hair style becomes uniform and homogeneous for the entirety of the hair, and a more excellent hair style can be finally obtained.

Advantageously, the coating means may comprise one or more thermal insulating materials, and more advantageously, the coating means may consist of the material (s).

The term "thermal insulating material" means any material which has an electric conductivity of 0 to 1 W/m°C (PVC: 0.17 W/m°C) .

Preferably, the heating means may be adjusted such that the temperature measured on the keratin fibers is 50°C or more, more preferably 55°C to less than 150°C, and further more preferably less than 100°C. It is preferable that the heating is performed by heating via electrical resistance.

Advantageously, the coating means is impermeable with regard to the composition used in the step b) .

In the above embodiment, at least one of the reshaping or mechanical tensioning means and at least one of the covering means may include a heater.

In the above embodiment, "occlusive space" means that when the coating means is placed on the reshaping or mechanical tensioning means, or vice versa, they together form a closed structure in which heat can diffuse, but heat cannot diffuse out of or is difficult to diffuse out of the closed structure. It is

preferable that the coating means and the reshaping or mechanical tensioning means can form the occlusive space when they are set on the head, if the keratin fibers aire hair. The occlusive space may form a condensation cage in which water and a component or components in the composition used in the step b) may evaporate from the keratin fibers, adhere to the wall of the coating means, and drop onto the keratin fibers. This cycle may be repeated during the heating of the keratin fibers. Thus, the keratin fibers can be always kept wet, and drying and deteriorating of the keratin fibers will be prevented.

The formation of occlusive space is an important characteristic of the present invention, because the keratin fibers in the occlusive space can be kept wet and the temperature of the keratin fibers can be constant.

Preferably, the process of the present invention may comprise an additional step of tightening the coating means on the head of an individual, if the keratin fibers are hair, by an elastic cord, an extensible band, or a stretch.

According to the process of the present invention, because of the occlusive space in which the composition can be continuously condensed on the keratin fibers, the amount of a cosmetic component or components in the composition is advantageously reduced as compared to the processes in the prior art. The amount of the cosmetic component (s) may be 0.3 to 3wt% of the composition .

In a preferred embodiment, a coating means may be placed on each hair curler as the reshaping or mechanically tensioning means, if the keratin fibers are hair. In other words, each of the hair curlers, if two or more hair curlers are used, may be covered individually by a coating means. It is advantageous to cover each hair curler because leaking to the scalp of the composition which has been applied onto keratin fibers in the step b) can be prevented.

In another preferred embodiment, a coating means may cover all hair curlers, if two or more hair curlers are used. In other words, the coating means may cover the entirety of the head if the keratin fibers are hair.

Advantageously, the occlusive space formed in the step d) may be maintained during the step e) . In other words, the coating means may be removed only after the step e) or after the stop of the heating in the step e) . If necessary, the composition may be applied to keratin fibers before applying mechanical tension to the keratin fibers. It may be possible that the keratin fibers are left as they are for a certain amount of time, if necessary, before and/or after applying mechanical tension to the keratin fibers, before and/or after applying the above-described . composition to the keratin fibers, and before and/or after heating the keratin fibers.

After the above step e), if necessary, the keratin fibers may be fixed by oxidation after being taken out from the coating means.

( Products )

The present invention also relates to a composition for treating keratin fibers to be heated in an occlusive space, comprising at least one reactive polymer,

wherein

the composition contains neither a reducing agent nor a source of carbonate ions of the formula:

wherein

X is a group selected from the group consisting of 0 ^" , OH, NH ₂ , 0- OH, and O-COO ^" .

This composition may not need to be used in combination with an oxidizing agent which is used in a conventional permanent

deformation of keratin fibers. Therefore, if keratin fibers should be permanently deformed, the composition may be used in one step, whereas two steps (reducing step and oxidizing step) are necessary in the conventional permanent deformation of keratin fibers.

This composition may have the same technical features as those of the composition described above.

The present invention also relates to a kit for treating keratin fibers, comprising:

a device comprising

at least one reshaping means to provide the keratin fibers with mechanical tension,

at least one coating means to form an occlusive space, and at least one heater to heat the keratin fibers in the occlusive space;

and

a composition comprising at least one reactive polymer wherein

the composition contains neither a reducing agent nor a source of carbonate ions of the formula:

wherein

X is a group selected from the group consisting of 0 ^" , OH, NH ₂ , 0-OH, and O-COO ^" .

The coating means and the heater, as well as the composition in the kit, may be the same as those described above.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples, which however should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Composition 1

A hair treatment composition (referred to as "Composition 1") having the following composition shown in Table 1 was prepared (active ingredients in wt %).

Table 1

Example 1

Composition 1 was applied for 15 minutes on a lg natural Japanese hair swatch. Then, the hair was wrapped in a plastic film and covered by a flexible heating film (FTH-050 from Tokyo

Technological Labo) . The hair was heated in occlusive conditions for 15 minutes at 90 °C. After the heating step, the hair was rinsed.

The hair was smooth, slippery or silky, and soft. These cosmetic properties were resistant to several shampoos.

Comparative Example 1

Composition 1 was applied for 15 minutes on a lg natural Japanese hair swatch which was the same as that used in Example 1. After leaving the hair without heating for 15 minutes, the hair was rinsed and dried.

The hair was smooth, but this cosmetic effect disappeared after the first shampoo.

Composition 2

A hair treatment composition (referred to as "Composition 2") having the following composition shown in Table 2 was prepared (active ingredients in wt %) .

Table 2

Example 2

Composition 2 was applied for 15 minutes on a lg Japanese hair swatch previously wrapped on a 1.7 cm perm-roller. Then, the perm-roller was covered by a plastic film and plugged into a Digital Perm Machine (Oohiro, model ODIS-2) . After a heating process at 90°C for 15 minutes, the hair was rinsed and dried.

A clear setting effect was observed. This hair shape

transformation was resistant to hot water and to shampoos.

Comparative Example 2

Composition 2 was applied for 15 minutes on a lg Japanese hair swatch which was the same as that used in Example 2 and was previously wrapped on a 1.7 cm perm-roller. After leaving the hair without heating for 15 minutes, the hair was rinsed, removed from the perm roller and dried.

No change in terms of hair feeling to touch or hair shape was observed.