Use of specific peptides (I), or their conjugates (II), as enantiomers or diastereoisomers, also their mixtures, including racemates, optionally as a complex with zinc, to prepare a cosmetic or dermatological composition for preventative or curative treatment of alopecia, is new. Use of peptides of formula (I), or their conjugates of formula (II), as enantiomers or diastereoisomers, also their mixtures, including racemates, optionally as a complex with zinc, to prepare a cosmetic or dermatological composition for preventative or curative treatment of alopecia. X-Gly-His-Lys-Y (I) A-X-Gly-His-Lys-Y (II) A : radical of acid R-COOH (III), (dihydro)lipoic acid, N-lipoyl-lysine or retinoic acid； X : chain of 1-3 Lys, optionally methylated, or, in (II) may be a bond, or A-X is hydrogen； Y : hydroxy or amino； and R : 1-24C linear or branched aliphatic residue, optionally substituted by hydroxy and optionally containing 1-6 unsaturations. All amino acids have D, L or DL configuration. An independent claim is also included for a food supplement that contains (I) and (II), optionally together with a compound (X) that improves regrowth of hair. ACTIVITY : Dermatological. Anagen-phase mouse whisker follicles were cultured (by the method of J. Dermatol. Sci., 7 (1994) S55) in medium containing 10 ->； 7>； M of the peptide lipoyl-Lys-Gly-His-Lys-NH 2. Growth (no units stated) was 1.86 after 4 days； contrast 0.5 for a control without the peptide. MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.
