Abstract: Methods and compositions containing cAMP salts in combination with inert carriers for preventing or restoring grayed hair to its natural color.

Abstract: A composition for preventing graying of the hair and restoring grayed hair to its natural color comprises an effective amount of one member selected from the group consisting of cAMP compounds such as 8-butylthio cAMP-Na or 8-methoxy cAMP-Na and water. The composition can prevent graying of the hair and restoring grayed hair to its natural color upon application to the scalp, the effective component is very stable even in the form of compositions containing water and the composition does not cause quality deteriorations such as giving out of bad smell.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for restoring grayed hair to its natural color comprising at least one compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, an acyl group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms derived from a monocarboxylic acid having 5 to 15 carbon atoms or an acyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms derived from a dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms; X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, respectively, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen, or a mercapto group; with the proviso that when R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 and X.sub.1 are hydrogen atoms at the same time, X.sub.2 is not a halogen atom or a mercapto group, and M.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane.

Abstract: A composition for preventing graying of the hair and restoring grayed hair to its natural color comprises an effective amount of one member selected from the group consisting of cAMP compounds such as 8-butylthio cAMP-Na or 8-methoxy cAMP-Na and water. The composition can prevent graying of the hair and restoring grayed hair to its natural color upon application to the scalp, the effective component is very stable even in the form of compositions containing water and the composition does not cause quality deteriorations such as giving out of bad smell.

Abstract: A melanocyte-stimulating hormone inhibitor has an amino acid sequence represented by the following formula [I], [II] or [III] in the molecule:--His--Ser--Arg--Trp-- [I]--Trp--Arg--Ser--His-- [II]--Leu--Ala--Cys--Ala--Arg-- [III]wherein His, Ser, Arg, Trp, Leu, Ala and Cys represent L-- or D-histidine, serine, arginine, tryptophan, leucine, alanine and cysteine residues, respectively. The melanocyte-stimulating hormone inhibitor and an external preparation to be applied to the skin which contains the inhibitor prevent or cure the symptoms of chloasmata and freckles caused by an excess production of melanin by enhanced melanocyte function.

Abstract: A composition for application to hair or scalp comprises (A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (i) forskolin and derivatives thereof and (ii) peptides having a basic skeletal structure represented by the following general formula (I):-P-Glu-His-Q-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys- (I)(wherein P represents an L-norleucine or L-methionine residue; Q represents a D- or L-phenylalamine residue; and Glu, His, Arg, Trp, Gly and Lys are L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, L-arginine, L-tryptophan, glycine and L-lysine residues respectively); or the component A and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic acids, alcohols and derivatives thereof having an odd number of carbon atoms. The composition for hair or scalp exhibits excellent effect of preventing graying of the hair and restoring grayed hair to its natural color upon externally applied to the scalp and is highly safe as regards to the possibility of causing skin damage.