Abstract: A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin and hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises a hair growth promoter chosen from glutamine derivatives and salts thereof. The composition preferably also comprises an activity enhancer which may be chosen from hair growth stimulants, penetration enhancers and cationic polymers.

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.

Abstract: A preserved composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin or hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises:(i) a special ester of pyroglutamic acid; and(ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the ester.

Abstract: A method for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth which is achieved by topically applying a preserved composition to mammalian skin and hair in a mammal having need thereof, the composition comprising a hexosaccharic acid, salts and esters thereof, in an amount sufficient to induce, maintain or increase hair growth.

Abstract: A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin or hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises:(i) a first chemical inhibitor chosen from proteoglycanase inhibitors, glycosaminoglycanase inhibitors, glycosaminoglycan chain cellular uptake inhibitors or mixtures thereof; and(ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the chemical inhibitor;provided that when the first chemical inhibitor is a weak inhibitor, such that a 1 mM aqueous solution of the inhibitor reduces proteoglycanase activity, glycosaminoglycanase activity or cellular uptake of glycosaminoglycan chains, by from 5 to 50%, in accordance with at least one of the assay tests as herein described, then there is also present in the composition a second chemical inhibitor and/or an activity enhancer. When minoxidil is the sole chemical inhibitor, then the activity enhancer is a penetration enhancer chosen from a limited number of materials, including certain esters and cationic polymers.

Abstract: A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin or hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises:(i) a chemical inhibitor of glycosidase activity chosen from lactams having the structure: ##STR1## where A.sup.1 and A.sup.6 are --H, --CH.sub.3, ##STR2## --CH.sub.2 OT or ##STR3## A.sup.1 and A.sup.6 being the same or different, and at least one of which being the group: ##STR4## in a lactam ring; and where Q is --OT', --NHT' or a lactam linkage to A.sup.1 or A.sup.6 ;the Q groups being the same or different, and at least one of which is involved in a lactam linkage;and where T is the same or different and is chosen from --H, --C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1 or a metal ion,T' is --H or --COC.sub.p H.sub.2p+1, andp is an integer of from 1 to 22;provided that:where any of the Q groups is --OT' or --NHT',then that group or groups can be of either stereochemical configuration with respect to the plane of the ring; and(ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the chemical inhibitor.

Abstract: A composition suitable for topical application to human skin, particularly the scalp comprises a minoxidil glucuronide together with a cosmetically and/or physiologically acceptable vehicle. The composition is particularly suited to stimulating hair growth or regrowth.

Abstract: Esterified oligosaccharides particularly estersified disaccharides containing a uronic acid residue and a hexosamine residue joined through a glycosidic linkage. Such as useful in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.