The present invention is directed to a method for treating a hair disorder in a human or animal in need thereof, involving topically applying to the human or animal an effective amount of at least one 6-substituted 2-pyridinol N-oxide compound, a tautomer, or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof wherein a hair count is increased by at least 0.5 hairs/cm2 and/or an increase the number of anagen hairs and maintain the number of telogen hairs when compared to a baseline and/or vehicle.