Patent ID: 8273334

Claim:
A method of altering the shape of hair comprising the steps of: applying a cationic acid solution to moist hair as a first acid application, the amount of the first application being effective to lower the pH of the hair to between about 3 and 4; applying a cationic reducing composition while the first acid application remains in the hair, the cationic reducing composition being maintained for a period of time sufficient to reduce the hair into a structurally-receptive condition; rinsing the hair to remove substantially all cationic acid solution and cationic reducing composition so that further reduction of the hair is substantially arrested; applying the cationic acid solution in a second acid application; at least partially drying the hair with the second application; forming the hair with the second application into a pre-selected shape; and neutralizing the hair with neutralizer solution to harden the pre-selected shape, wherein the method is performed in the absence of ammonia and ammonia compounds.