Abstract: The invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations for improving the quality of the hair and stimulating the growth of the hair, which preparations are based on A) alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and/or ammonium salts of thiocyanic acid in combination with B) at least one component, selected from estrogens, sulfur, sulfide ions, vasodilators, skin-active vitamins, inorganic selenium compounds, amino acids, protein hydrolyzates and carboxylic acids physiologically occurring in the skin or mixtures thereof. The preparations may optionally be in admixture with per se known auxiliary and carrier materials for hair cleaning and hair care agents. A synergistic improvement in the quality of hair and stimulation of hair growth is observed by combining the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and/or ammonium salts of thiocyanic acid, with at least one of the component B) materials.