MSU researchers develop hair gel to stop chemotherapy hair loss

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Hair loss due to chemotherapy can be an emotional experience for cancer patients.

Now, researchers at Michigan State University are developing a new product to stop hair loss. They have created a hair gel that could help patients keep their hair.

"I'm very hopeful that this can be something that can make their challenging journey a little bit easier," said Bryan Smith, associate professor of biomedical engineering.

Smith explains cancer cells are fast-growing, so chemotherapies are directed toward cells that quickly divide. The problem is that it also includes cells on the scalp, leading to hair loss.

The gel, when rubbed into the scalp during chemotherapy treatment, slows the division of those cells a patient wants to keep.

"Essentially, constricting those blood