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EP-4736959-A1 - BIODEGRADABLE VEGAN CHITOSAN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR THERMAL HAIR PROTECTION, HAIR DENSITY, AND ANTI-STATIC EFFECT

EP4736959A1EP 4736959 A1EP4736959 A1EP 4736959A1EP-4736959-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair care composition comprising chitosan hydrochloride. Said composition protects hair from heat, increases hair thickness and/or hair density, reduces or prevents the hair from buildup of static electricity and/or electrostatic discharge, and promotes hair cuticle repair.

Inventors

  • BELOUS, Elena
  • IVANOVA, Angelina

Assignees

  • SkyLab AG

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20241104

Claims (15)

  1. A heat protecting and/or antistatic hair care composition comprising chitosan hydrochloride.
  2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition has a pH in the range of 4.0 - 9.0, preferably in the range of 5-6, further preferably 5.5.
  3. The composition of claim 1, wherein said chitosan hydrochloride is present in said composition in an amount of at least 0.10% by weight of said composition, preferably at least 0.15% by weight, further preferably at least 0.20% by weight or in an amount of a range selected from the following: 0.10-10.00% by weight, 0.10-5.00% by weight, 0.10-3.00% by weight, 0.10-1.00% by weight, 0.10-0.75 % by weight, 0.10-0.50% by weight, 0.15-10.00% by weight, 0.15-5.00% by weight, 0.15-3.00% by weight, 0.15-1.00% by weight, 0.15-0.75% by weight, 0.15-0.50% by weight, 0.20-10.00% by weight, 0.20-5.00% by weight, 0.20-3.00% by weight, 0.20-1.00% by weight, 0.20-0.75% by weight, 0.20-0.50% by weight.
  4. The composition of any of the preceding claims, said composition not comprising a detersive component.
  5. The composition of any of the preceding claims, said composition not comprising i) a silicone or polysiloxane compound, and/or ii) keratin.
  6. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition is formulated for application on a subject's hair, wherein preferably said composition is a formulation selected from the following: liquid, aerosol, suspension, solution, tincture, cream, paste, lotion, ointment, gel, balsam, foam, shampoo and conditioner.
  7. The use of a hair care composition comprising chitosan hydrochloride for at least one of the following uses or any combination thereof: i) protecting hair from heat, ii) increasing hair thickness and/or hair density, iii) reducing or preventing the hair from buildup of static electricity and/or electrostatic discharge, and iv) promoting hair cuticle repair.
  8. The use of claim 7, wherein said composition has a pH in the range of 4.0 - 9.0, preferably in the range of 5-6, further preferably 5.5.
  9. The use of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said chitosan hydrochloride is present in said composition in an amount of at least 0.10% by weight of said composition, preferably at least 0.15% by weight, further preferably at least 0.20% by weight or in an amount of a range selected from the following: 0.10-10.00% by weight, 0.10-5.00% by weight, 0.10-3.00% by weight, 0.10-1.00% by weight, 0.10-0.75 % by weight, 0.10-0.50% by weight, 0.15-10.00% by weight, 0.15-5.00% by weight, 0.15-3.00% by weight, 0.15-1.00% by weight, 0.15-0.75% by weight, 0.15-0.50% by weight, 0.20-10.00% by weight, 0.20-5.00% by weight, 0.20-3.00% by weight, 0.20-1.00% by weight, 0.20-0.75% by weight, 0.20-0.50% by weight.
  10. The use of any of claims 7-9, said composition not comprising a detersive component.
  11. The use of any of claims 7-10, said composition not comprising i) a silicone or polysiloxane compound, and/or ii) keratin.
  12. The use of any of claims 7-11, wherein said composition is formulated for application on a subject's hair, wherein preferably said composition is a formulation selected from the following: liquid, aerosol, suspension, solution, tincture, cream, paste, lotion, ointment, gel, balsam, foam, shampoo and conditioner.
  13. A method of protecting hair from heat and/or for reducing or preventing the hair from buildup of static electricity and/or electrostatic discharge, said method comprising treating the hair with a composition of any of claims 1-6.
  14. The method of claim 13, wherein said hair is protected from heat temperatures up to 200 °C, preferably up to 170 °C.
  15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said composition is applied to said hair less than 30 minutes to application of the heat to said hairs.

Description

THE ART TO WHICH THE INVENTION PERTAINS The present invention relates to novel applications of a polysaccharide, chitosan hydrochloride, as an agent that contributes to heat resistance of hair, increases hair density, creates an anti-static effect and promotes hair cuticle repair. It can be used in the field of hair care products. Chitosan hydrochloride is stable and fully suitable for application in the formulation of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Human hair represents highly structured fiber consisting of cuticle, cortex and sometimes medulla. The characteristics of these structures significantly influence the mechanical and optical properties of hair. For example, the rigidity of the central α-spiral keratin core and the abundance of disulfide bonds contribute to the remarkable resistance of hair to external influences. Despite this rigidity, environmental conditions, pollution, chemical treatments and daily habits can result in various negative morphological and chemical changes of hair. Nowadays, usage of straightening irons and hair curlers has become a common daily practice; however, these hairstyling appliances expose hair strands to high temperatures (typically 150 through 250°C) that can break disulfide bonds. Both straightening irons and hair curlers remove moisture from the hair promoting the formation of additional protein bonds that help to change the shape of hair. The popularity of these hairstyling appliances has contributed to the emergence of a significant market for hair care products related to thermal styling, including thermal protective sprays, straightening balms, curling creams and thermal protective shampoos/conditioners. Thermal protective aids are designed to create a film on the surface of the hair, smoothing imperfections and protecting against excessive moisture loss caused by high temperatures or prolonged exposure [1]. Static electricity in hair occurs when an electrical charge builds up inside the strands. This phenomenon occurs because of friction between two dissimilar objects, which results in transfer of electrons from one object to the other. The object losing electrons acquires a positive charge and the object gaining electrons acquires a negative charge. This process can be illustrated by the example of friction of hair against various articles of clothing. When the material rubs against the hair strands, exchange of electrons between the two surfaces occurs. As a result of this exchange, a characteristic electrical charge builds up on the hair. In conditions of higher humidity this charge is usually dissipated. And vice versa, in dry conditions, such as on a cold winter morning, the lack of moisture allows the accumulated charge to push away the hair strands from each other similar to magnetic forces. It should be noted that electrical charges do not pass through water, which explains why the lack of humidity often observed during the winter months increases static electricity in hair. In addition, dry and damaged hair is more susceptible to static electricity due to an excess of free electrons that cannot remain stationary. This explains the pronounced static effect on such hair [2]. Different polymers are used as an effective strategy to protect hair from fragility and heating. Preliminary treatment of hair with these ingredients provides thermal protection against the breakdown of keratin in hair as well as damage to hair surface. Morphological improvement in cuticle integrity and smoothness with polymer pretreatment is of paramount importance in preventing hair fragility [3]. In a study [4], the authors examined the tryptophan content in the hair structure by means fluorescence microscopy. They determined that tryptophan is gradually destroyed during usage of curling irons at 132°C and 152°C during 4-12 minutes, and the use of polymers in preliminary treatment of the hair helps to reduce the degree of destruction by 10-20%. Patent US20020197227A1 describes the use of polymers, in particular silicones, to reduce the fuzz effect due to hair electrification [5]. Silicones are polymers and important ingredients in hair care products due to their unique properties such as improving combing, preventing damage and glossing [6]. They are intensively used to provide thermal protection to the hair [7]. Silicones are widely used in the cosmetic products industry due to their proven safety and efficacy. They are inert and do not cause allergic reactions or skin irritations, making them safe at application [8]. Silicones do not penetrate deep into the skin or hair, but remain on the surface, forming a protective permeable barrier [9]. The siloxane bond in silicones is highly strong but also very flexible, making them ideal for different hair shapes. Adding of different organic groups to the siloxane main chain gives silicones a variety of properties. They can become hydrophobic by adding of methyl groups as well as longer chain hydrocarbo