Compositions and methods for reducing post perm odors, via reaction with hair aldehydes, by contacting the hair with a polyhydric phenol, particularly resorcinol or its derivatives, before, during, or after application of a reducing agent-containing waving lotion. The polyhydric phenol should have the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R'=H or OH, R=H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alcohol, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 aldehyde, or a ketone having formula (II) ##STR2## wherein n=0-12, R"=C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, and wherein n+number of carbons in R"=1-12.

The invention concerns a composition for brightening, gloss improvement and, optionally, dyeing of human hair, in particular of permanently waved hair, which contains 0.5 to 12% by weight hydrogen peroxide, and optionally, at least one direct-acting hair dye in an aqueous carrier, having a Brookfield viscosity of 1,000 to 10,000 mPa.s at 25.degree. C.

Simultaneous permanent waving and dyeing of hair fibers is attained by incorporating a silk amino acid and a water soluble or emulsifiable silicone based compound in the permanent waving lotion and intermixing the dyestuff with the oxidizing or neutralizing composition. Preferably, the combined dyeing and neutralizing composition is adjusted to have a pH ranging between about 7 and 9. In this preferred embodiment, the hair is warmed after receiving the combined dyeing and neutralizing composition with said composition preferably being processed on the hair at a temperature ranging between 40.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. In addition, further enhanced coloring and permanent waving is attained by incorporating a lipotropic material into the dye additive composition.

A composition and a method for treating hair are disclosed. The composition improves properties such as the hand (feel), curl retention, color receptivity, color retention, shine, and strength of the hair and the compositions can be used to prevent or repair damage to hair caused by hair treating processes (e.g., hair waving and coloring). The composition is useful in a rinse-free waving process, that is, a permanent waving process in which the intermediate rinse between the reducing step (the waving step) and the oxidizing step (the neutralization step) is omitted. The composition is also useful in a coloring process and in a one-day combined rinse-free waving and coloring process. The composition contains (1) an alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium), zinc, or aluminum, preferably in the form of a water-soluble salt (e.g., magnesium sulfate), (2) a low molecular weight sulfur-containing material that can form disulfide bonds involving the keratin of the hair (e.g., cystine-containing materials such as polypeptides or other proteinaceous materials) and (3) optionally an acid, which can be a carboxylic acid (e.g., a hydroxycarboxylic acid such as citric acid) or other organic acid (e.g., acetic acid) or mineral acid. The pH of the composition is less than 7, usually ranges from 2 to 6.5, and is preferably about 2 to 3.5 when used in the rinse-free waving process.

Methods and apparatus for determining accurate hair color classifications and appropriate coloring agents to bring about a selected change of color include a table of hair color classifications, a color measuring instrument to arrive at Hunter L, a and b for use in identifying a particular classification from the table and a database that identifies appropriate coloring agents based on a selection of coloring actions from a menu and the classifications of hair color.