A research team at Michigan State University has developed a novel hydrogel, similar in texture to shampoo, that may protect cancer patients from hair loss during chemotherapy. The findings, based on animal model experiments, suggest a potential breakthrough in addressing one of the most distressing side effects of cancer treatment.
The innovation was led by Brian Smith, an associate professor at the College of Engineering and the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering at Michigan State. Smith and his team designed the hydrogel to safeguard hair follicles throughout the course of chemotherapy.
The gel contains lidocaine and adrenaline, two compounds that temporarily reduce blood flow to the scalp. By limiting the delivery of chemotherapy drugs to hair follicles, the hydrogel may effectively protect them from damage and hair shedding.
One of its defining features is temperature responsiveness: at body temperature, the hydrogel thickens and adheres to the scalp, while at lower temperatures it turns into a liquid that can be easily rinsed away.
Hair loss is among the most visible and psychologically challenging side effects of chemotherapy, often leading to emotional, social, and professional distress. Current solutions are limited to expensive cooling caps, which can cause discomfort and are not always effective.
Thus, this hydrogel could offer patients a safer, more accessible alternative to preserve their hair during treatment.
