TLDR Topical thiols may prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers developed an animal model using rat pups to test substances that might prevent alopecia caused by oxazaphosphorines. They found that epicutaneous treatment with sodium thioglycollate effectively prevented ifosfamide-induced hair loss in the treated areas. These findings suggested that topical thiols could potentially prevent oxazaphosphorine-induced alopecia in humans.
12 citations,
December 1987 in “Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology” Vitamin E in the diet might help protect against hair loss caused by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin in rabbits.
24 citations,
November 2013 in “Trends in pharmacological sciences” Increasing ABC transporters in hair follicles may prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
99 citations,
September 2007 in “The American journal of pathology” Chemotherapy damages hair follicles, causing hair loss and other cellular changes.
12 citations,
June 2019 in “Actas dermo-sifiliográficas/Actas dermo-sifiliográficas” Proper skin toxicity management in chemotherapy is key to continuing treatment and keeping patient quality of life high.
26 citations,
January 1992 in “Cancer investigation” N-acetylcysteine and ImuVert can prevent hair loss in rats caused by chemotherapy.
4 citations,
January 1992 in “Clinical Oncology” Some cancer treatments can cause abnormal fine hair growth.
