A pharmaceutical preparation comprises ciclopirox olamine, and one or more of: vasco-epithelial growth factor (VEGF), a VEGF biomimetic, and/or a VEGFR2 receptor agonist, in a physiologically acceptable medium. The composition may also comprise one or more catalases or mimetics thereof, superoxide dismutases or mimetics thereof, one or more antioxidants, one or more 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, one or more nitric oxide synthases, a UV protective material, and/or a penetration enhancing ingredient, such as salicylic acid. The composition may be for use in: autologous growth factor therapy； the prevention of hair loss； for improving skin blemishes； or treatment of damage to skin cells associated with accumulation of reactive oxygen or nitrogen specifies. It may also be used for soaking follicular grafts prior to implantation； for improving survival rates of implanted hair follicles, to improve wound healing times； or to prepare grafts for removal prior to hair transplant surgery.
