LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a "shampoo-like" gel that chemotherapy patients could use to protect their hair from falling out during treatment — pending clinical trials.

Currently, the only approved treatment to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss are cold caps worn on the head, which researchers say are expensive and have their own side effects.

The gel is designed to absorb a lot of water and deliver lidocane and adrenalone to the area it is applied for a long period of time. The drugs are designed to stop most of the chemotherapy drugs, which kill or damage hair follicles, from reaching the scalp. Researchers say this "dramatic reduction" in the scalp's exposure to chemo can help prevent hair from falling out.

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