Method of inhibiting hair growth

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a method of inhibiting hair growth, which comprises administering an inhibitor of elastase-like enzymes or a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, and-use of an inhibitor of elastase-like enzymes or a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor for the preparation of a hair-growth inhibitor.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A method of inhibiting hair growth, which comprises topically administering to an affected area of a subject in need thereof a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said neutral endopeptidase inhibitor is not a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said neutral endopeptidase inhibitor is not a mercaptopropionamide compound.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said neutral endopeptidase inhibitor is not a mercaptopropionamide compound.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said neutral endopeptidase inhibitor is an inhibitor of a neutral endopeptidase derived from a dermoepidermal fibroblast.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said subject is a human.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said neutral endopeptidase inhibitor is a phosphonic acid compound, or a derivative or salt thereof.