Method for treating keratinous fibers using steam

Abstract

Provided is a method for treating keratinous fibers comprising: applying steam to the keratinous fibers at a rate of less than 5 g/min; and shaping the keratinous fibers at a temperature of greater than 50 C., wherein the application of the steam and the shaping of the keratinous fibers do not occur simultaneously. The method disclosed herein may make it possible for example to obtain rapid shaping of the keratinous fibers while improving their cosmetic properties and the comfort of the user.

Claims

1. A method for treating keratinous fibers comprising in at least one pass: applying steam to a portion of the keratinous fibers at a rate of less than 5 g/min, and subsequently shaping the same portion of the keratinous fibers with a smoothing iron at a temperature of greater than 50 C., wherein the application of the steam and the shaping of the keratinous fibers do not occur simultaneously on the same portion of the keratinous fibers, and wherein the method does not comprise a step of applying steam to the same portion of the keratinous fibers after the shaping step in the same pass.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the keratinous fibers are hair fibers.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the steam is applied at a rate ranging from 1 to 4 g/min.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the shaping temperature is greater than 90 C.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the shaping temperature ranges from 90 C. to 230 C.

6. A method according claim 1, wherein the shaping is carried out using a smoothing iron.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the shaping comprises smoothing in a single pass per treated lock of keratinous fibers.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying steam to the keratinous fibers comprises a single application of steam per lock of treated keratinous fibers.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the steam comprises at least one cosmetic active principle and/or ingredient.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising cosmetically treating the keratinous fibers comprising applying to the keratinous fibers a composition comprising at least one cosmetic active principle.

11. A method according to claim 10, comprising, in order, cosmetically treating the keratinous fibers, followed by applying the steam to the keratinous fibers, and then shaping the keratinous fibers, wherein the application of the steam and the shaping of the keratinous fibers occur successively using the same device.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

(1) Locks of hair were washed and wrung out. The hair was then predried until drying of approximately 80% was obtained.

(2) Steam was applied to the predried locks at a rate of approximately 3 g/min, followed by shaping/smoothing via a smoothing iron heated to at least 100 C. This treatment was carried out lock by lock over the entire head of hair.

(3) A permanent oxidation dye with a shade of 5.64 (coppery red light chestnut from the Majirouge range) was subsequently applied, an operation which consisted in applying, to the hair fibers, at least one oxidation base and at least one coupler well known in the field of permanent dyeing, in the presence of an oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide).

(4) At the same time, the above test was carried out, but without applying steam or shaping under the preceding conditions, but rather while smoothing with a conventional heating smoothing iron.

(5) It was observed that the hair treated with the steam was shinier and smoother than the hair treated solely with the conventional heating smoothing iron.

(6) After several shampooings, the color on the hair treated with the steam was observed to last longer.

EXAMPLE 2

(7) A reducing cream comprising thioglycolic acid salts was applied with a brush to locks of washed and wrung-out hair. After the setting time, the locks were again rinsed, then wrung out and predried to 80% using a hairdryer.

(8) Steam was applied to the predried fibers under the conditions defined above, followed by shaping/smoothing via a smoothing iron heated to at least 100 C. This treatment was carried out lock by lock over the entire head of hair.

(9) The fixative was subsequently applied to the entire head of hair. After a setting time, the locks were rinsed, wrung out, and dried.

(10) At the same time, the above test was carried out, but without applying steam or shaping under the preceding conditions, but rather while smoothing with a conventional heating smoothing iron.

(11) It was observed that the hair treated with the method disclosed herein was shinier and smoother to the touch and visually. The hair was furthermore markedly better straightened with the method disclosed herein.

(12) After several shampooings, it was found that the smoothing effect persisted when obtained with the method disclosed herein.

EXAMPLE 3

(13) The care product Ciment thermique from Kerastase, a leave-in care product comprising silicones and cationic surfactants, was applied to washed and wrung-out locks of hair. The locks were then predried until drying of approximately 80% was obtained.

(14) Steam was applied to the predried locks under the conditions defined above, followed by shaping/smoothing via a smoothing iron heated to at least 100 C.

(15) At the same time, the above test was carried out, but without applying steam or shaping under the preceding conditions, but rather while smoothing with a conventional heating smoothing iron.

(16) It was observed that the locks treated according to the method disclosed herein were shinier and smoother to the touch and visually. The hair was markedly better smoothed.

(17) After several shampooings, it was found that the smoothing effect persisted when obtained with the method disclosed herein.

EXAMPLE 4

(18) A conditioner Nutriceramide of the Elsve brand was applied to washed and wrung-out locks of hair. After the setting time, the locks were rinsed, then wrung out and predried to 80% using a hairdryer.

(19) Steam was applied to the predried locks under the conditions defined above, followed by shaping/smoothing via a smoothing iron heated to at least 100 C.

(20) At the same time, the above test was carried out, but without applying steam or shaping under the preceding conditions, but rather while smoothing with a conventional heating smoothing iron.

(21) It was observed that the locks treated with the method disclosed herein were shinier and smoother to the touch and visually. The locks were markedly better smoothed.

(22) After several shampooings, it was found that the smoothing effect persisted when obtained with the method disclosed herein.

EXAMPLE 5

(23) Locks of hair were washed and wrung out. The hair was then predried until drying of approximately 80% was obtained.

(24) Steam was applied to the predried locks under the conditions defined above, followed by shaping/smoothing via a smoothing iron heated to at least 100 C. This treatment was carried out lock by lock over the entire head of hair.

(25) At the same time, the above test was carried out but without applying steam, but rather while smoothing with a conventional heating smoothing iron without application of steam.

(26) It was observed that the hair treated with the steam was shinier and smoother than the hair treated solely with the conventional heating smoothing iron.