Abstract: Provided herein is the use of a soluble form of a member of the CD83 family of proteins (sCD83) for wound healing, including hard-to-heal wounds of elderly, diabetic, or patients under immunosuppressant medication. Further provided is the therapeutic use of the sCD83 for the systemic promotion of hair growth, after physical stress/medication, disease and/or depilation by application of systemic sCD83, and cosmetic methods for skin and hair care comprising the topical application of sCD83.