Daijiworld Media Network - London

London, Jul 11: A groundbreaking study from Sheffield Hallam University may bring new hope to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with researchers discovering a promising method to prevent hair loss — one of the most distressing side effects of cancer treatment.

The innovative approach combines scalp cooling with antioxidant-rich treatment to significantly reduce follicle damage caused by chemotherapy. Scalp cooling, commonly applied using “cold caps”, slows blood flow to the scalp, limiting the exposure of hair follicles to chemotherapy drugs.

Researchers have now identified 18 degrees Celsius as the optimal scalp temperature to protect follicles. When paired with antioxidant-based lotions — including compounds found in red grapes — the protective effect is dramatically increased. The findings, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, could pave the way for a major shift in cancer care.

Dr. Nik Georgopoulos, Associate Professor of Cell Biology at Sheffield Hallam, described the discovery as a potential “game-changer” for cancer patients. “Hair loss is the face of cancer,” he said. “This dual method could offer an effective and more accessible way to preserve hair, thereby improving the quality of life for millions of patients.”

The study involved isolating and growing human scalp follicles in a lab, followed by chemotherapy exposure. Cooling the follicles and applying antioxidant treatments were shown to shield the cells from damage.

With around 65% of chemotherapy patients experiencing hair loss — and nearly half of female patients citing it as the most traumatic part of their treatment — researchers believe this technique marks a major step forward in supportive cancer care.