TLDR Cold caps and certain drugs may help prevent or reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, but more research is needed.
The 2015 review examined strategies to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a common and distressing side effect of cancer treatment. The review excluded pediatric populations and those receiving head and neck radiation therapy. It found that physical therapies like cold caps could be more effective and safer than scalp tourniquets, while pharmacologic therapies such as cyclosporine showed potential in preventing hair loss or promoting regrowth. The document also discussed the role of interleukin-1 (IL-1), epithelial growth factor (EGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in hair follicle development, with IL-1 preventing CIA in animal studies. Minoxidil, although not effective in preventing CIA from harsh chemotherapy agents, helped shorten the duration of alopecia. Antioxidants like ß-carotenes, melatonin, and vitamin E also showed potential due to their protective effects against oxidative damage. Combination therapy, especially minoxidil with cold caps, appeared promising in reducing alopecia and aiding regrowth without increasing scalp metastasis risk, but more extensive and comprehensive trials are needed. The review concluded that while the evidence was not yet conclusive, a combination of mechanical and chemical interventions might offer the best approach to mitigate CIA, underscoring the need for further research.
64 citations,
July 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Scalp cooling can prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, and certain treatments can speed up hair regrowth, but more research is needed for better treatments.
155 citations,
March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Scalp cooling might reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, but evidence is weak and other treatments are being tested.
27 citations,
March 2008 in “Cell stress & chaperones” Localized heat or specific injections can prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss without affecting cancer treatment.
40 citations,
September 2007 in “Bone marrow transplantation” Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent hair loss in stem cell transplant patients.
99 citations,
September 2007 in “The American journal of pathology” Chemotherapy damages hair follicles, causing hair loss and other cellular changes.
28 citations,
January 2007 in “Dermatology” Chemotherapy can cause rapid, extensive hair loss, with patterns varying between individuals.
97 citations,
September 2006 in “Pharmaceutical Research” No treatment fully prevents hair loss from chemotherapy yet.
159 citations,
September 2001 in “European Journal of Cancer Care” Chemotherapy-induced hair loss significantly affects patients' well-being, and nurses are key in helping them cope, but more research is needed to find effective treatments.
24 citations,
September 2001 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Cyclosporin A helps damaged hair follicles regrow hair quickly.
63 citations,
May 2000 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant can cause permanent hair loss.
6 citations,
January 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology” About 12% of children in Kota, Rajasthan, experience hair loss, mainly due to fungal infections, with early treatment advised to prevent worsening.