How to protect the scalp from skin cancer

[Guest guest]

How to protect the scalp from skin cancer

Hair acts as a barrier to the rays and protects the scalp, but hats and special

sunscreens can help reduce skin cancer risk further.

As summer heats up, we've learned to slather SPF 15 or higher all over our

bodies and faces in an effort to prevent sun damage and skin cancer. We've also

been told to recite our ABCs when checking for unusual moles: asymmetry, border

irregularity and uneven color. Unfortunately, our scalps are often neglected.

Sunscreen is transparent on skin, but who wants to go to work with greasy roots?

How many people wear a hat during their lunch break? And who can see a mole on

top of her own head?

Skin cancer of the scalp is not as common as on other areas of the body. But it

poses its own set of challenges. " The problem is that the hair can obscure a

skin cancer so that the diagnosis is delayed, " says Dr. Moy, president of

the American Academy of Dermatology.

Although those with thick hair have less to worry about — the hair acts as a

barrier to the sun and protects the scalp — those with balding or thinning hair

are more susceptible to developing skin cancer. " Skin cancer is very common on

the scalp in thinning individuals — males and females — since it usually stands

out to get direct sun exposure, " says Dr. Mcs, clinical professor at

the USC School of Medicine.

Lighter skin and the total accumulation of sun exposure to the scalp pose the

biggest risk factors. " Fairer individuals have less melanin in their skin to

block UV rays, " Mcs says. " Balding persons will have less hair to block

the UV rays, which leads to more exposure to the damaging effects of UV rays. "

Using a zinc oxide or titanium oxide sunblock, such as Blue Lizard Australian

Suncream ($11.99 for 3 ounces; http://www.drugstore.com) or a sunscreen that

absorbs both UV-A and UV-B rays — and reapplying every few hours — can reduce

sun exposure and reduce risk. Balding individuals can easily apply sunscreen to

their scalps, but those with hair find it trickier to protect the scalp without

resorting to a greasy style. " The problem with sunscreens for the scalp is they

tend to leave hair a little on the lank side, " says Philip Kingsley, founder of

the Philip Kingsley Trichological Centre in New York.

Many hair-care manufactures offer SPF products specially formulated to help

protect scalps from the sun. For daily use, Kingsley recommends a lighter spray

formula. " Spray at the roots, and then smooth fingers over the scalp, " he says.

The key is to lightly rub the product into the scalp because if you just spray

it over the hair it will absorb into the follicle and offer little protection to

the skin. Try Phyto Plage Protective Beach Spray ($22; http://www.phyto.com) or

Smart Girls Who Surf Care for Hair Sun Protector ($8.50;

http://www.smartgirlswhosurf.com).

Also, change your part often so one area of the scalp is not consistently

exposed to the sun: " I have removed skin cancers on the part-line and the

'cow-lick' area of people's scalps, " Mcs says.

If you're at the pool or beach, Kingsley recommends a cream formula such as his

Kingsley Swim Cap Cream (which he developed for the 1984 Olympic synchronized

swimming team). Slather it over hair and into scalp, then style hair back into a

slick ponytail.

In 1999, sdale, Ariz., hair colorist May lost her mother,

Chloe, to skin cancer that had originated on the scalp. " I had noticed she had a

mole on the top of her head, but I had no idea it was even possible to have

melanoma on the scalp. Looking back, that was pretty ignorant, " she says. The

diagnosis led her to pay closer attention to her clients, taking notice of

unusual-looking moles.

also embarked on developing a multipurpose product to protect the scalp

while addressing other style needs too. She worked with Amour Cosmetic to

develop a product called Hair Shadz. The powder formula contains zinc oxide and

comes in eight shades to blend root regrowth in those who color their hair, to

act as a dry shampoo and to protect the scalp. Sun Shadz is a translucent

version of the product for those who seek only scalp protection. The products

offer an SPF 15 protection, according to AMA Laboratories, a clinical testing

facility.

One caveat: Zinc oxide is an effective sunblock, but its efficacy in a powder

form is unknown, Mcs says.

Of course, a hat offers the best protection against skin cancer of the scalp.

Pay attention to the weave — the tighter the weave, the less exposure to

damaging UV-A and UV-B rays.

Also, hats with ultraviolet protection can offer additional coverage, such as

Coolibar hats (starting at $18, http://www.coolibar.com) made out of Suntect

fabric, rated as UVP of 50+ and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Coolibar men's crushable ventilated hat is $45 at Coolibar.com

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