The keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was shown in one study to protect hair follicles that were exposed to radiation therapy. The research was conducted with the aim of reducing hair loss in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Here’s a short abstract from the study results:
Results indicated approximately 10 extra hairs per mm2 (14.5% of unirradiated control) could survive the cytotoxic insult if pretreated with 12.5 microg keratinocyte growth factor. This could be doubled by a 10 x higher keratinocyte growth factor dose.
Since it was demonstrated that keratinocytes can protect hair follicles from radiation, it seems worthwhile to investigate whether they can protect the hair from androgen hormones, which cause the vast majority of hair loss.
