Use of metalloprotease inhibitors to induce and/or stimulate the growth of head hair or other hairs and/or to slow down their loss

Abstract

A method for inducing and/or stimulating the growth of hair and/or slowing down hair loss comprising administering an effective amount of at least one metalloprotease inhibitor or any functional biological equivalent thereof and an acceptable carrier therefor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for inducing and/or stimulating the growth of hair and/or slowing hair loss comprising applying to the hair and/or the scalp of an individual in need thereof, a topical composition comprising an effective amount of at least one metalloprotease inhibitor other than chelating calcium ions and growth factors, in a physiologically acceptable medium.  
     
     
         2 . A method for inducing and/or stimulating the growth of hair and/or slowing hair loss comprising applying to the hair and/or the scalp of an individual in need thereof, a topical composition comprising an effective amount of at least one metalloprotease inhibitor selected from the group consisting of tissue inhibitors, cytokines, oncogenic products, matrix inhibitors, and chemical inhibitors other than chelating calcium ions, in a physiologically acceptable medium.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the metalloprotease inhibitor is a chemical inhibitor or a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases.  
     
     
         4 . A method for inducing and/or stimulating the growth of hair and/or slowing hair loss comprising applying to the hair and/or the scalp of an individual in need thereof, a topical composition comprising at least one chemical inhibitor of metalloproteases other than chelating calcium ions, and a physiologically acceptable medium.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the chemical inhibitor is a thiol or a hydroxamate.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.05% and 2% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.05% and 2% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.05% and 2% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.05% and 2% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one inhibitor is present in an amount of between 0.05% and 2% relative to the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising leaving said composition in contact with the hair and/or the scalp for a sufficient time and optionally rinsing said composition from the treated area.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising leaving said composition in contact with the hair and/or the scalp for a sufficient time and optionally rinsing said composition from the treated area.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising leaving said composition in contact with the hair and/or the scalp for a sufficient time and optionally rinsing said composition from the treated area.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising leaving said composition in contact with the hair and/or the scalp for a sufficient time and optionally rinsing said composition from the treated area.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising leaving said composition in contact with the hair and/or the scalp for a sufficient time and optionally rinsing said composition from the treated area.