Treating Hair With Quaternized Polymers

The present invention relates to new polymers possessing quaternary ammonium groups, as well as to a process for preparing them and to their use as cosmetic agents.

The invention is more particularly directed to quaternized polymers having recurring units of the formula: ##STR4## wherein

X.sup..crclbar. represents an anion derived from an organic or mineral acid;

R'.sub.2 is an aliphatic radical containing a maximum of 20 carbon atoms;

R'.sub.1 is an aliphatic, alicyclic or arylaliphatic radical containing a maximum of 20 and a minimum of 2 carbon atoms; or R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 together with nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a ring capable of containing a second heteroatom other than nitrogen;

A represents a divalent group of the formula ##STR5## wherein x, y and t are whole numbers ranging from 0 to 11 and such that the sum (x+y+t) is greater than or equal to 0 and lower than 18, and E and K represent hydrogen or an aliphatic radical having less than 18 carbon atoms; and

B represents a divalent group of the formula ##STR6## wherein D and G represent hydrogen or an aliphatic radical having less than 18 carbon atoms and v, z and u are whole numbers ranging from 0 to 11, two of them being able to be simultaneously equal to 0 and such that the sum (v+z+u) is greater than or equal to 1 and lower than 18 and such that the sum (v+z+u) is greater than 1 when the sum (x+y+t) is equal to 0, and n is a whole number equal to 2 or 3.

In that which follows, the expression "polymer of formula I" means those having the recurring units as defined above.

The terminal groups of the polymers of formula I vary principally with the amounts of the initial reactants. They can thus be of the type ##STR7##

In formula I, X.sup..crclbar. represents principally a halide anion such as bromide, iodide or chloride, or an anion derived from other mineral acids such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid, or the like, or even an anion derived from an organic sulfonic or carboxylic acid, generally an alkanoic acid having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, for example, acetic acid; a phenylalkanoic acid, for example, phenylacetic acid; benzoic acid; lactic acid; citric acid; or paratoluene sulfonic acid. When R'.sub.1 represents an aliphatic radical, it is a question principally of an alkyl or a cycloalkyl radical wherein the alkyl has less than 20 carbon atoms, i.e. 1 to 19 carbon atoms, preferably not more than 18 carbon atoms and more preferably not more than 16 carbon atoms. When R'.sub.1 represents an alicyclic radical, it is a question generally of a cycloalkyl radical having 5 or 6 chains. When R'.sub.1 represents an arylaliphatic radical, it is a question generally of an aralkyl radical such as a phenylalkyl wherein the alkyl moiety has, preferably, from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. When the substituent E, K, D or G is an aliphatic radical, it is a question generally of an alkyl radical having from 1to 17 carbon atoms and preferably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Preferably v, z and u represent numbers ranging from 1 to 5, two of them being able besides to be equal to 0; x, y and t are preferably numbers ranging from 0 to 5. When B represents xylylidene, it can be an o, m- or, preferably, p-xylylidene.

Representative polymers of formula I include principally those for which: R'.sub.1 is alkyl having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms and preferably 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a benzyl radical or a cyclohexyl radical; R'.sub.2 is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms or the R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 together represent a polymethylene radical having preferably 4 or 5 carbon atoms and the ring formed by R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 can carry as a second heteroatom oxygen or sulfur; in particular R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 together can represent the divalent radical --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --; A is a polymethylene radical having from 2 to 12 and preferably 3 to 10 carbon atoms which can optionally be branched by one or two alkyl substituents having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, B is xylylidene, or B is a polymethylene radical having from 3 to 10, preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, which can optionally be branched by one or two alkyl substituents having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and X is an atom of chlorine, iodine or bromine.

Typical of these latter polymers of formula I include, in particular, those for which R'.sub.1 is ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl, cyclohexyl or benzyl; A is a polymethylene radical having 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms, optionally branched by one or two alkyl substituents having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and B is o- or p-xylylidene, or B is a polymethylene radical having 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, optionally branched by one or two alkyl substituents having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

The invention relates principally to the polymers of formula I described hereinafter in Examples 1-31.

The present invention includes, of course, polymers of formula I wherein A, B, R'.sub.1 or R'.sub.2 have several different values in the same polymer chain. Such polymers can be obtained in accordance with the description of the process for preparing the polymers of formula I given below.

The invention also relates to a process for preparing the polymers of formula I which comprises:

(a) polycondensing a ditertiary diamine of the formula ##STR8## and a dihalide of the formula X--B--X, wherein A, B, R'.sub.1, R'.sub.2 and X have the meanings given above; or

(b) polycondensing a ditertiary diamine of the formula ##STR9## and a dihalide of the formula X--A--X.

The polycondensation reactions according to methods (a) or (b) above can be carried out in a solvent or in a mixture of solvents favoring quaternization reactions. Such solvents include water, dimethyl formamide, acetonitrile, lower alcohols, principally lower alkanols such as methanol and the like.

The reaction temperature can vary between 10.degree. and 150.degree. C. and preferably between 20.degree. and 100.degree. C.

The duration of the reaction can depend upon such easily determined factors as the nature of the solvent, the initial reactants and the degree of polymerization desired.

Generally the initial reactants are reacted in equimolar quantities, but it is possible to use either the diamine or the dihalide in a slight excess, this excess being lower than 20 molar percent.

It is possible to regulate the average length of the chain by adding at the start of the reaction or during the course thereof, a small quantity (1 to 15 mole percent relative to one of the initial reactants) of a monofunctional reactant such as a tertiary amine or a monohalide. In this case, at least a portion of the terminal groups of polymer I obtained is constituted either by the tertiary amine group used, or by the hydrocarbon group of the monohalide. The polymers of formula I having such terminal groups also within the scope of the present invention.

There can also be employed as the initial reactant, either a mixture of ditertiary diamines, or a mixture of dihalides, or even a mixture of ditertiary diamines and a mixture of dihalides with the proviso that the ratio of the total molar quantities of diamines and dihalides is near 1.

The ditertiary diamines used as the initial reactant in the above process are known or can be prepared using known methods.

For example, diamines of the formula: ##STR10## wherein n=3 can be obtained by cyanoethylation of secondary amines of the formula ##STR11## in accordance with Whitmore et al JACS, 66, p. 725 (1944), reduction of the propionitrile amine and methylation by the method of Eschweiler-Clarke using a formaldehyde-formic acid mixture (cf. Chem. Ber. 38, p. 880 (1905) and JACS, 55, p. 4571 (1933).

The other diamines used in the present invention can be prepared by methylation, according to the method described above, of diamines having the formulas ##STR12## which in turn can be obtained by a method derived from that described in H. E. Franck et al, JACS, 67, p. 882 (1945) or even a method analogous to the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,139.

Although the invention is not limited to polymers of formula I whose degree of polymerization is necessarily limited, the polymers of formula I generally have a molecular weight ranging between 5,000 and 50,000. Further the polymers of formula I are generally soluble in at least one of three solvents comprising water, ethanol or a water-ethanol mixture. Evaporation of the solvent from a solution of the polymer yields films which generally exhibit good affinity for keratinic fibers.

The polymers of the present invention exhibit interesting cosmetic properties when they are introduced into cosmetic compositions to be applied to the hair or the skin. Thus the present invention also relates to the polymers of formula I as cosmetic agents.

The present invention also relates to cosmetic compositions comprising at least one polymer of formula I. These cosmetic compositions include generally at least one adjuvant conventionally employed in cosmetic compositions. Further the polymer of formula I can be present in these composition either as the principal active component, or as an additive.

The cosmetic compositions of the present invention can be provided in the form of an aqueous, alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution, the alcohol being principally a lower alkanol such as ethanol or isopropanol, or in the form of creams, gels, emulsions, or even in the form of an aerosol which also contains a suitable propellant.

The adjuvants generally present in the cosmetic compositions of this invention include, for example, perfumes, dyes, preservatives, sequestering agents, thickening agents and the like.

Furthermore, the cosmetic compositions of the present invention are those which are ready for use, as well as those in concentrated form which are generally diluted before use. Thus, the cosmetic compositions of the present invention need not be limited to any particular concentration of the polymer of formula I.

Generally, however, the concentration of the polymer of formula I in the cosmetic compositions of this invention ranges between 0.01 and 10 weight percent and preferably between 0.5 and 5 weight percent.

The polymers of formula I exhibit interesting cosmetic properties when they are applied to the hair, either alone or with other active substances in such treatments as shampooing, dyeing, hair setting and the like. When so used, these polymers significantly improve the qualities of the hair.

For example, the polymers assist and facilitate the treatment of untangling wet hair. Even when present in high concentration, they do not impart to wet hair a sticky feeling or appearance.

Contrary to conventional cationic agents, the polymers of this invention do not render dry hair heavy, and they facilitate then bouffant hair styles. The polymers of this invention also impart to dry hair lively characteristics and a shiny appearance.

The said polymers also contribute effectively to the elimination of disadvantages associated with hair sensitized by such treatments as bleaching, permanent waving or dyeing. It is known that sensitized hair is often dry, dull and rough, and difficult to comb and to style.

The polymers of the present invention also exhibit, in particular, great usefulness when they are employed as pretreating agents, notably before an anionic and/or non-ionic shampooing, or before oxidation dyeing, followed by an anionic and/or non-ionic shampooing. When so employed, the thus treated hair is particularly easy to comb and has a very soft feel.

The polymers of this invention are also useful as pretreating agents for other hair treatments such as permanent wave treatments.

The polymers of formula I are useful in cosmetic compositions for the hair in accordance with the invention either as an additive, or as the principal active component, in hair setting lotions, hair treating lotions, styling creams or gels, or even as an additive in shampoo compositions, hair setting compositions, permanent waving compositions, hair dyeing compositions, hair restructuring compositions, anti-dandruff lotions or hair lacquer compositions.

The cosmetic compositions for the hair can be principally:

(a) hair treating compositions comprising as the active component, at least one polymer of formula I in an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution. These compositions can be provided in spray containers, principally in aerosol containers.

The pH of these lotions is near neutral and can range for example from 6 to 8. If necessary, the pH can be adjusted to the desired value, by adding either an acid such as citric acid, or a base, principally an alkanol amine such as monoethanolamine or triethanolamine.

To treat the hair with such a composition, the same is applied to wet hair and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 3-15 minutes. Thereafter, the hair is rinsed.

Also, if desired, the hair can be set in a conventional manner.

(b) shampoo compositions comprising at least one polymer of formula I and a cationic or non-ionic detergent.

The cationic detergents are principally long chain quaternary ammoniums, esters of fatty acids and amino alcohols, or polyether amines.

The non-ionic detergents are principally esters of polyols and sugars, the condensation products of ethylene oxide on fatty bodies, on long chain alkyl phenols, on long chain mercaptans or on long chain amides, and polyhydroxylated polyethers of fatty alcohol and polyglycerolated fatty alcohols.

These shampoo compositions can also include various adjuvants such as, for example, perfumes, dyes, preservatives, thickening agents, foam stabilizers, softening agents, or even one or more cosmetic resins. When the dry employed is an oxidation dye, the composition can be provided in two parts which are then mixed at the moment of use. One of the parts contains the dye and the other part contains an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide.

(c) hair setting lotions, principally for sensitized hair, comprising at least one polymer of formula I in an aqueous, alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution.

They can also contain one or more other cosmetic resins, principally vinyl homopolymers or copolymers as, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, copolymers of crotonic acid and vinyl acetate and the like.

The pH of these hair setting lotions can range generally between 4.5 and 7.5. The pH, if desired, can be modified, for example, by the addition of an alkanolamine such as monoethanolamine or triethanolamine.

(d) hair dye compositions comprising at least one polymer of formula I, a hair dye and a carrier.

The carrier is preferably selected so that the composition is in the form of a cream or a gel.

When the dye employed is an oxidation dye, the dye composition can be packaged in two parts, one part containing the dye, the other part containing the oxidizing agent such as H.sub.2 O.sub.2. Both parts are mixed together at the moment of use;

(e) hair lacquers comprising an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution of a conventional hair lacquer cosmetic resin and at least one polymer of formula I, the resulting composition being packaged under pressure in an aerosol container and admixed with an aerosol propellant.

For example, an aerosol lacquer according to the present invention can be provided by adding a conventional cosmetic resin and the polymer of formula I to a mixture of an anhydrous aliphatic alcohol such as ethanol or isopropanol and of a propellant or a mixture of liquified propellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, including trichlorofluoromethane or dichlorodifluoromethane.

However, it is possible to add to the hair lacquers in accordance with the present invention such adjuvants as dyes, plasticizers or any other conventional adjuvant;

(f) hair restructuring lotions comprising at least one agent having the capability of restructuring the hair and at least one polymer of formula I.

Hair restructuring agents useful in such lotions are, for example, methylol derivatives described in French Pat. Nos. 1,519,979; 1,519,980; 1,519,981; 1,519,982 and 1,527,085;

(g) hair pretreatment compositions which can be provided principally in the form of an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution, optionally packaged in an aerosol container, or in the form of a cream or gel. These pretreatment compositions can be applied to the hair before shampooing, generally before an anionic and/or a non-ionic shampooing; before an oxidation dyeing followed by an anionic and/or non-ionic shampooing; or even before a permanent waving operation.

In these pretreatment compositions, the polymer of formula I comprises the active component, and its concentration ranges generally from 0.1 to 10%, and particularly from 0.2 to 5%, by weight, of the composition. The pH of these compositions ranges generally between about 3 and 9.

The pretreatment compositions can contain various adjuvants, for example, resins, conventionally employed in cosmetic compositions for the hair; pH modifiers, for example amino alcohols such as monoethanolamine, and the like, as well as those other adjuvants indicated for the compositions described in paragraph (a) above.

The polymers of the present invention also exhibit interesting cosmetic properties when they are applied to the skin.

Principally, they impart to the skin a significant softness to the touch. These properties then make the polymers of the present invention useful in formulating cosmetic compositions for the skin. Moreover, these compositions for the skin generally include at least one adjuvant conventionally employed in such cosmetic compositions for the skin and can be provided, for example, in the form of creams, gels, emulsions or as aqueous, alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions and the like.

The adjuvants generally present in these cosmetic compositions are, for example, perfumes, dyes, preservatives, sequesterants, emulsifiers, thickening agents and the like.

These compositions for the skin constitute principally treating creams or lotions for the face and hands, anti-solar creams, tinting or shading creams, makeup remover milks, bath oils or bubble bath formulations. They can also be employed in deodorants. Such compositions can be prepared in accordance with conventional procedures.

For example, to obtain a cream, an aqueous phase containing the polymer in solution and optionally other components or adjuvants is emulsified with an oil phase.

The oil phase can comprise various products such as paraffin oil, vaseline oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, olive oil, esters of fatty acids such as glyceryl monostearate, ethyl or isopropyl palmitate, alkyl myristates such as propyl, butyl or cetyl myristate. Also fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or waxes such as beeswax can be included in such compositions.

The polymers of this invention can be provided in cosmetic compositions for the skin as an additive, or as a principal active component in treating creams or lotions for the hands or face, or even as an additive in anti-solar cream compositions, tinting cream compositions, makeup remover milks, bubble bath formulations and the like.

Thus the present invention also relates to cosmetic compositions such as defined above, comprising at least one polymer of formula I described hereafter in Examples 1-20. Moreover, the present invention relates to a process comprising applying to the hair or the skin a cosmetic composition containing at least one polymer of formula I as defined above.

The polymers of formula I possess other interesting properties, principally, germicidal characteristics and particularly bactericidal and fungicidal characteristics. The polymers of the present invention also exhibit surface-active characteristics.

Their germicidal, surfactant or film-forming characteristics make them useful principally as preservatives, for example, in cosmetic preparations .

The following non-limiting examples illustrate the invention. Unless otherwise stated, all parts and percentages are by weight.

202 g (1 mole) of 1,3-dibromopropane are added to a solution of 326.6 g (1 mole) of N-dodecyl-N,N',N'-trimethyl-1,6-diamino hexane in 2 liters of methanol. The resulting reaction mixture is heated for 60 hours at reflux and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is washed with ether, filtered and dried under reduced pressure in the presence of P.sub.2 O.sub.5. The polymer obtained contains 29.1% of Br.sup.- and is soluble in water and ethanol.

215 g (1 mole) of 1,4-dibromo butane are added to a solution of 214.4 g (1 mole) of N,N-dibutyl-N,N'-dimethyl-1,3-diamino propane in 1.5 liters of methanol. The resulting reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 100 hours and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is washed with ether, filtered and dried under reduced pressure in the presence of P.sub.2 O.sub.5. The polymer obtained contains 30.9% Br.sup.- and is soluble in water and ethanol.

The preparation of other quaternized polymers of formula I, as well as an indication of their solubility characteristics, are set forth in the following Table. In all these examples, the method of preparation is method (a) defined above.

A dye shampoo composition is prepared by admixing the following components:

50 g of the above admixture are mixed in a bowl with the same quantity of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (20 volumes). The resulting mixture which is a gel is then applied to the hair with a brush and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 30 minutes. Thereafter the hair is rinsed. The thus treated hair combs easily and is soft to the touch. Subsequently the hair is set and dried and the hair thus treated is lively, shiny, has body (volume), is soft to the touch and combs easily. On brown hair, there is thus obtained a chestnut coloration.

Essentially the same results can be achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 8 by 3 grams of the compound of Example 2.

A dye shampoo composition is prepared by admixing the following components:

50 g of the above admixture are mixed in a bowl with the same amount of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (20 volumes). The resulting mixture which is a gel is then applied to the hair with a brush and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 30 minutes. Thereafter the hair is rinsed. The thus treated hair combs easily and is soft to the touch. Subsequently the hair is set and dried and the hair thus treated is shiny, lively, has body (volume), is soft to the touch and combs easily. On brown hair, a chestnut coloration is obtained.

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 3 by 4 g of the compound of Example 1.

An oxidation dye cream composition is prepared by admixing the following components:

30 g of this formulation are mixed with 45 g of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (20 volumes). The resulting mixture which is a smooth, thick, pleasant to apply cream which adheres well to the hair is then applied to the hair and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 30 minutes. Thereafter, the hair is rinsed and dried.

On 100% white hair, a blond coloration is achieved. The thus treated hair, in the wet or dry state, is easy to comb and the dry hair has a shiny appearance and is agreeable and soft to the touch.

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 12 by one of the following:

6 g of the compound of Example 4 or 6 g of the compound of Example 5.

A hair treating lotion is prepared by admixing the following components:

The resulting mixture is applied to the hair and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 5 minutes. Thereafter the hair is rinsed and the thus treated hair has a soft touch and combs easily. Subsequently, the hair is set and dried and the dried hair combs easily, is shiny, lively and has body.

Essentially the same results are obtained by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 9 by one of the following:

4 g of the compound of Example 6 or

6 g of the compound of Example 15.

A hair setting lotion for sensitized hair is prepared by admixing the following components:

The resulting mixture is applied to the hair which is then set and dried. The dried hair, which is hard and plasticized, is shiny, has volume, is soft to the touch and combs easily.

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 7 by 2 g of the compound of Example 14.

A hair restructuring lotion which is employed with a subsequent rinsing operation is prepared by admixing the following components:

2 g of dimethylol ethylene thiourea are mixed with 25 ml of a solution containing:

The resulting mixture is then applied to washed and dried hair and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the hair is rinsed. The thus treated hair combs easily and has a soft touch. The hair is then set and dried under a hood. The dry hair combs easily, is shiny, lively and has body (volume).

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 10 by one of the following:

4 g of the compound of Example 11 or

4.5 g of the compound of Example 13.

A hair restructuring lotion which can be employed without a subsequent rinsing operation is prepared by admixing the following components:

0.3 g of dimethylol ethylene thiourea is mixed with 25 ml of the following solution:

The resulting mixture is applied to washed and dried hair before setting it. The thus treated hair combs easily and is soft to the touch. The hair is then set and dried and the dried hair is shiny, lively, has body (volume), is soft to the touch and combs easily.

Essentially the same results are obtained by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 16 by 0.6 g of the compound of Example 17.

A dye shampoo is prepared by admixing the following components:

50 g of the above formulation are mixed in a bowl with the same quantity of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (20 volumes). The resulting mixture which is a gel is then applied to the hair with a brush and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 30 minutes. Thereafter the hair is rinsed and the thus treated hair combs easily and is soft to the touch. The hair is then set and dried and the dried hair is shiny, lively, has body (volume), is soft to the touch and combs easily. On brown hair, a chestnut coloration is obtained.

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 22 by 3 g of the compound of any one of Examples 23, 24, 30 and 31.

An oxidation dye cream composition is prepared by admixing the following components:

30 g of this formulation are mixed with 45 g of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (20 volumes). The resulting mixture which is a smooth, thick, pleasant to apply cream which adheres well to the hair, is then applied to the hair and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 30 minutes. Thereafter the hair is rinsed and dried. On 100% white hair, a blond coloration is obtained. The thus treated hair is easy to comb in both the wet and dry states and the dry hair has a shiny appearance and is pleasant and soft to the touch.

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 29 by one of the following:

6 g of the compound of Example 21 or 22.

A hair setting lotion for sensitized hair is prepared by admixing the following components:

The resulting mixture is applied to hair which is then set and dried. The hair thus treated, which is hard and plasticized, is shiny, has volume, is soft to the touch and combs easily.

Essentially the same results are achieved by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 24 by 2 g of the compound of Example 21.

A hair restructuring lotion which is employed with a subsequent rinsing operation is prepared by admixing the following components:

2 g of dimethylol ethylene thiourea are mixed with 25 ml of a solution containing:

The resulting mixture is then applied to washed and dried hair and is permitted to remain in contact therewith for 10 minutes. Thereafter the hair is rinsed. The thus treated hair combs easily and has a soft touch. The hair is then set and dried under a hood. The dry hair combs easily, is shiny, lively and has body (volume).

Essentially the same results are obtained by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 27 by one of the following:

4 g of the compound of Example 22 or

4.5 g of the compound of Example 28.

A hair restructuring lotion which can be employed without a subsequent rinsing operation is prepared by admixing the following components:

0.3 g of dimethylol ethylene thiourea is mixed with 25 ml of the following solution:

The resulting mixture is then applied to washed and dried hair before setting it. The thus treated hair combs easily and is soft to the touch. The hair is then set and dried and the dried hair is shiny, lively, has body (volume), is soft to the touch, and combs easily.

Essentially the same results are obtained by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 25 by 0.6 g of the compound of Example 26.

A pre-shampoo composition is prepared by admixing the following components:

10 g of this composition are applied to soiled, dry hair. The composition is permitted to remain in contact with the hair for 2 minutes. Thereafter the hair is shampooed with a conventional anionic shampoo formulation.

A pre-shampoo composition is prepared by admixing the following components:

10 g of the above composition are applied to soiled, dry hair. The composition is permitted to remain in contact with the hair for 2 minutes. Thereafter the hair is shampooed with a conventional anionic shampoo formulation. The thus treated hair combs easily and has a soft touch, in the wet state as well as after drying.

Essentially analogous results are obtained by replacing in the above composition the compound of Example 22 by the compounds of Examples 25 to 31.

Comparable pre-shampooing compositions have been prepared in the form of aerosols with the same polymers. Typically such an aerosol composition can be prepared by admixing the following components:

25 g of this mixture are introduced into an aerosol container. Then sufficient nitrogen is introduced into the container so as to establish therein a pressure of 5 kg/cm.sup.2.

Using the resulting aerosol formulation, the dry hair to be washed is impregnated therewith and the thus sprayed formulation is permitted to remain on contact with the hair for a few minutes. Thereafter the thus treated hair is shampooed with a conventional anionic shampoo formulation. 9n