Researchers develop gel to help chemotherapy patients keep hair

WAM, Philippine News Agency

Currently, cooling caps are the only approved method to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, but researchers note they are expensive and can cause side effects. (Pexels Photo)

WASHINGTON – A team from Michigan State University has created a shampoo-like gel that could help chemotherapy patients protect their hair from falling out during treatment.

Published in Biomaterials Advances, the study tested the hydrogel in animal models and found that it delivers vasoconstrictor drugs directly to the scalp, narrowing blood vessels and reducing the flow of chemotherapy drugs to hair follicles.

Currently, cooling caps are the only approved method to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, but researchers note they are expensive and can cause side effects.

The new gel absorbs large amounts of water and steadily releases lidocaine and adrenaline to limit follicle exposure to chemotherapy, resulting in what the researchers described as a “dramatic reduction” in hair loss.

Bryan Smith, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at MSU, said the need to address this side effect remains largely unmet.

He was inspired to develop the gel after speaking with patients who experienced chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

For practical use, the gel responds to temperature changes: it clings to the scalp at body temperature and thins out when cooled, making it easy to wash away. (WAM)