Abstract: A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin or hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises a glycosaminoglycanase inhibitor chosen from aldonomonolactones, alduronomonolactones and acylated monosaccharides, and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the inhibitor; the total amount of the inhibitor present in the composition being sufficient to increase hair growth in the rat, when said composition is applied topically thereto over a period of no more than 3 months, by at least 10% more than that obtainable using a control composition from which the said inhibitor has been omitted, in accordance with the Rat Hair Growth Test.