A single formula, mild permanent wave reducing composition and method of permanently waving or reshaping human hair that provides a strong, long lasting curl and leaves the hair soft while minimizing further damage to already damaged hair. The composition contains a cysteamine reducing agent compound selected from the group consisting of cysteamine, a cysteamine salt, and mixtures thereof. The cysteamine compound should be present in an amount of at least about 7.8% by weight and preferably in the range of about 7.8% to about 12.5% by weight; and sufficient additional alkali, if necessary, to bring the pH of the composition to at least about 7.8 preferably about 7.8 to about 8.8. Optionally, a hair softening and/or moisturizing agent, such as glycerine is included in the composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of the composition. The composition can be lotion or water wrapped and can be used with or without heat. Unexpectedly, the composition is applied to any type of hair, regardless of structural damage to the hair, resulting in the same degree of curl tightness and softness and can be applied much more frequently than prior art permanent wave compositions without significant damage to the hair.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/186,808, filed Jan. 25, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,907; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/096,364, filed Jul. 22, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,426; which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/819,113, filed Jan. 10, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,054.
