A formulation or a pair of formulations is provided that includes a hair retention-promoting substance and an enzyme that is a peptidase or a lipase and that, when applied to a human scalp, has exfoliating activity. The substance and the enzyme are present in an aqueous carrier having a pH that maintains activity of the enzyme. A process of promoting hair retention on the scalp of a subject is provided in which a hair retention-promoting substance is topically administered to the scalp after, or in concert with, exfoliation of the scalp with an enzyme.