Two step hair coloring compositions delivering deeper, long-lasting color

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(12) United States Patent

Chan et al.

(io) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,041,142 B2 May 9, 2006

6,540,791 Bl * 4/2003 Dias 8/111

6,602,303 Bl 8/2003 Laurent et al 8/405

6,613,313 Bl 9/2003 Kimura 424/70.1

6,638,321 Bl 10/2003 Genet et al 8/407

(Continued)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

EP 0 137 178 11/1999

EP 1 048 290 11/2000

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Ingredients Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Chemical formula).* Co-pending US Application Chan et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 10/613,792; filed Jul. 3, 2003; entitled "Method of Providing More Vibrant, Natural and Long-Lasting Color to Hair".

(Continued)

Primary Examiner—Eisa Elhilo

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Michael P. Aronson

(57) ABSTRACT

A two step method of coloring hair is described. The hair is first contacted for a period of time with a dye precursor mixture containing an oxidative dye, specific fatty components and one or more water miscible organic solvents. Color is then developed in a second step by contacting the hair with one or more oxidizing agents. Greater color intensity and longevity are achieved when the fatty component in the dye precursor mixture contains at least one fatty amine and the fatty ingredients and organic solvents satisfy the relationship, 2FC<0.037(2OS)2-3.35(2OS)+63, where 2FC and SOS are respectively the total weight of fatty ingredients and the total weight of water miscible organic solvents in the precursor mixture.

15 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

6.660.045 Bl 12/2003 Hoeffkes et al 8/405

6.660.046 Bl 12/2003 Terranova et al 8/405

6,673,122 Bl 1/2004 Vandenbossche et al 8/405

6,743,264 Bl * 6/2004 Sarojini et al 8/405

2003/0113286 Al 6/2003 Geary et al 424/70.12

2003/0154562 Al * 8/2003 Sarojini et al 8/405

2003/0163877 Al 9/2003 Baker et al 8/405

2003/0167579 Al 9/2003 Lang 8/405

2003/0188392 Al 10/2003 Laurent et al 8/406

2004/0006832 Al 1/2004 Audousset 8/406

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Co-pending US Application Chan et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 10/613,864; filed Jun. 9, 2003; entitled "Hair Dyeing Method Including an Aligning Step". Co-pending US Application Chan et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 10/791,391; filed Mar. 2, 2004; entitled "Efficient Two-Step Method of Coloring and Lightening Hair With Less Damage".

* cited by examiner

1

TWO STEP HAIR COLORING
COMPOSITIONS DELIVERING DEEPER,
LONG-LASTING COLOR

FIELD OF INVENTION 5

The present invention relates to methods of coloring hair using a 2-step coloring process, and optimal compositions for practicing this method.

10

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Permanent hair colorants commonly come in two parts: a dye solution and a developer solution. In a conventional permanent hair coloring treatment, the dye solution and the 15 developer solution are mixed and then immediately applied to the hair. After a time interval of about 25 to about 45 minutes, the hair is rinsed with water, treated with a post treatment conditioner, and then rinsed again with water.

20

The application of the dye solution and the developer solution affords permanent hair coloring. However, use of this conventional method does not provide maximum color deposition or retention and the range of color nuances especially in the red shades is limited. ^

The duration over which dyed hair remains colored is in principle only limited by the hair growth rate assuming the treatment does not affect the color of the hair as it is formed, i.e., "roots". In practice dye films deposited on the hair are susceptible to extraction by repeated shampooing, erosion 3Q by combing and brushing, and fading by exposure to sunlight and oxygen. Red colors are particularly susceptible to these degrading processes and in an attempt to achieve sufficiently deep and long lasting red shades consumers often try to compensate by increasing the intensity of the 35 initial color. However, this can lead to hair that has an unnatural or painted appearance.

The underlying problem in achieving natural, long-lasting colors through oxidative dyeing is that only a small portion of the color enters the interior of the hair fiber during the 40 dyeing process. As is well known, the color of oxidative dyes arises from the oxidative coupling of primary intermediates and secondary intermediate (often called couplers)— essentially dimerization and/or polymerization. Thus, oxidative coupling leads to an increase in molecular weight as 45 well as an increase in conjugation. However, as the molecular weight rises, it becomes increasingly difficult for the polymerized dye to penetrate the hair fibers. Thus, the darkest colors are more likely to remain at the surface of the hair fibers where they are most susceptible to erosion, and 50 abrasion. Being on the outside of the fibers these colors are also in an "optical environment" that is least similar to the environment of the natural melanins in hair, i.e., dispersed within the hair fiber matrix. The term "painted" often used to describe the unnatural appearance of darkly dyed hair is 55 more than coincidental!

It has been shown in U.S. Patent Publication 2003/ 0154562, incorporated herein by reference, that a two step method wherein the oxidative dye precursors are allowed to contact the hair in a substantially inactive form before the 60 developer is applied to the hair can achieve a much more durable color change. By "more durable" we mean more resistant to repeated shampooing, and abrasion, e.g., brushing. Apparently, the small precursor molecules can diffuse deeper into hair fibers before polymerization takes place to 65 limit their diffusion. Thus, during the first step, the rate of diffusion of the dye is greater than the rate of oxidation.

2

The current inventors have observed however, that the intensity of color provided by the 2-step process is variable and highly composition dependant. Utilizing the same developer mixture and oxidative dyes, it has been observed for example, that the type and level of ingredients used in the dye precursor mixture, i.e., the mixture that is applied first to the hair, has a major impact on the resulting hair color. Based on an extensive and systematic study of the types and levels of fatty ingredients and organic solvents in the precursor mixture, the inventors have identified compositions that maximize the color change provided by the two step process.

Surprisingly these optimal dye precursor compositions provide benefits to the hair coloring system in addition to stronger color deposition. These additional benefits include: i) conditioning effects which allows facile removal of excess dye precursor mixture prior to the application of the developer mixture; and ii) protection of the hair from damage during the oxidative color development stage of the process

For optimal performance, the dye precursor mixture should include a fatty amine among the fatty ingredients employed in the mixture. Furthermore, the total level of fatty ingredients should be less than a critical value, which is dependent on the total level of organic solvent in the dye precursor composition. This latter criticality can be expressed by a mathematical inequality that is useful in defining the composition space for optimal dye uptake and color intensity.

The following patents and publications have been considered:

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0113286 discloses a hair coloring and conditioning composition having an oxidative dye composition part and an oxidant part that are mixed prior to use. Cationic surfactants are mentioned as conditioning agents.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,400 discloses dye compositions that employ a class of direct nitro dyes in a 1-step coloring process. All examples are of compositions that contain anionic surfactants.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,122 teaches dyeing compositions containing novel aminophenols intended primarily for 1 -step coloring of hair. No distinction is made concerning surfactant type.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0006832 concerns hairdyeing compositions containing as coupling agent, selected 3,5 diamino pyridine derivatives. All the exemplary compositions are used in a 1-step hair coloring process.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,313 is directed to aniline dyes of specific compositions used for coloring hair in a 1-step process.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0163877 concerns a rinse-off coloring composition including clay and an agent imparting color to hair. No oxidative dyes are used and consequently there is no mention of the penetration of such dyes into the hair.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,046 concerns novel pyrazole derivatives as precursors. All exemplary compositions are solvent based and used as a 1-step process for coloring hair.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,321 is analogous to U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,046 but with pyrazole precursors replaced by a monobenzene-substituted precursor.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,303 concerns oxidative hair coloring compositions containing a cationic polymer in combination with a nonionic surfactant and a hydroxylated solvent. Cationic surfactants are disclosed as optional ingredients.