Big hair, sun don’t care!
Don’t forget your scalp when it comes to sun protection this summer. Baylor College of Medicine dermatologists say it doesn’t matter whether you have a full head of hair or nothing at all; the skin on your head is still susceptible to skin cancer.
“While most cases of skin cancer on the scalp are found in balding men, a full head of hair doesn’t mean you are fully protected,” said Dr. Ida Orengo, professor and chair of dermatology at Baylor.
Dark, thick hair provides more protection than blond, wispy locks, but some form of extra protection should always be used.
Drug stores now carry shampoo or leave-in conditioners that include sunscreen, but regular sunscreen works just as well when used on the scalp.
“There is no medical requirement for a ‘scalp-specific’ formula,” said Dr. Oyetewa Asempa, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Baylor Medicine’s Skin of Color Clinic. “I recommend spray formulations or powder sunscreens, which may be easier to apply through hair, while traditional lotions work well on thinning hair or bald areas. You can also use a makeup brush to apply regular sunscreen to the scalp at the part to avoid making the hair greasy.”
“The best prevention method is to wear a hat with at least a three-inch brim around the entire head,” Orengo said. “If not a hat, which can be uncomfortable in the heat, then carry an umbrella for shade.”
Treatment for skin cancer on the scalp is the same as treatment for cancer on any other part of the skin – it must be cut out. Since there is not a lot of extra skin on the scalp, it is more difficult to close the hole left behind after removal, and there is a chance for a bald spot. However, there is a large blood supply found on the head, so incisions usually heal well.
The most common forms of skin cancer found on the scalp are basal, squamous and melanoma, which can be deadly. According to Asempa, approximately 25% of all cutaneous melanomas occur in the head and neck region, with the scalp accounting for 14-49% of those. Studies have shown that when skin cancer is found on the scalp, it is usually at greater Breslow thickness with higher mitotic rates, which means it is deeper and more active. This is most likely due to delayed diagnosis because hair is in the way.
“Early detection is important, so if you have a regular hairdresser, you might want to ask him or her to keep an eye out for any new moles or bumps,” Orengo said. “Most patients say it’s their hairdresser or barber that finds the skin cancer first.”
Asempa added that a scalp check should be a part of a regular skin check with your dermatologist, and a patient should feel empowered to speak up and ask for a scalp check if it is missed.
By Gracie Gutierrez
