Redheads' Skin Cancer Risk

There's a new clue about why redheads have higher skin cancer rates than people with black hair.

Skin pigment chemistry could play a role. The finding was announced in Washington, D.C. at the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Duke University chemistry professor John D. Simon, PhD, and colleagues studied structures called melanosomes from human hair. Melanosomes make melanin, which gives skin and hair their color.

The scientists took melanosomes from red and black human hair, since it's hard to get melanosomes from human skin. They tested the melanosomes with a sophisticated laser.

Fending Off Sun Rays

Melanosomes from black hair were only affected by high energy ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light. In the real world, the atmosphere filters that out, according to the researchers.

In contrast, melanosomes from red hair were affected by UV-A and UV-B radiation. They lost electrons in a process called oxidation, which stresses cells and can damage DNA.

Thus, exposure to everyday UV-A and UV-B levels might rattle red hair pigments and contribute to the different skin cancer rates, Simon tells WebMD in an email.

By the way, UV-A and UV-B radiation aren't just around on sunny summer days. They're present year-round, so keep sun protection strategies in place after summer fades.

Preventing Skin Cancer

Nothing can completely undo sun damage, although the skin can sometimes repair itself. So it's never too late to begin protecting yourself from the sun.
Your skin does change with age. For example, you sweat less and your skin can take longer to heal. But you can delay these changes by staying out of the sun. Follow these tips to help prevent skin cancer:

• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater 30 minutes before sun exposure and then every few hours thereafter.
• Select cosmetic products and contact lenses that offer UV protection.
• Wear sunglasses with total UV protection.
• Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible during peak UV-radiation hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Perform skin self-exams regularly to become familiar with existing growths and to notice any changes or new growths.
• Eighty percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is acquired before age 18. As a parent, be a good role model and foster skin cancer prevention habits in your child.

By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
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