A new scientific study published in the journal Nature has shown that redheads are more prone to melanoma skin cancers than their non-redheaded counterparts, even without sun exposure. Yes, if you’re a fair-skinned redhead (Fitz type 1 with red hair, freckles, inability to tan, and blue eyes), you have an increased risk even if you’re diligent at sun protecting your skin. It means that you need to take extra precautions and have an annual full exam. You also need to learn the signs of melanoma because when we catch melanoma skin cancer early, it’s often curable.
We know, without any doubt, that exposure to UV sunlight causes skin cancer. It produces free radicals in exposed skin and those free radicals damage your skin’s DNA. This new study demonstrates that free radicals also form in the skin of redheads without any UV light exposure. It means that just being a redhead puts you at an increased skin cancer risk.
We’ve known for a long time that the skin pigment in redheads is different. Redheads make the type of melanin pigment called pheomelanin, instead of the more common eumelanin. What’s new is that we now know that pheomelanin production in the skin causes free radicals all by itself, even without UV exposure. If you add UV exposure, then you’re adding even more free radicals to damage your skin’s DNA and the skin cancer risk is even higher.
What’s the bottom line for redheads?
- Learn the ABCDE’s of melanoma.
- Do monthly self skin exams and see your dermatologist if any suspicious spots develop.
- Have an annual skin exam done by your dermatologist.
- Be 100% proficient at your sun protection, meaning no tan lines ever!
Click here to see the Skin Cancer Foundation’s ABCDE’s of melanoma
Click here for my sun protection recommendations.
Click here to see the dermatologist recommended zinc oxide mineral/physical sunscreens that I trust.
Reference: Mitra D et. al. An ultraviolet-radiation-independent pathway to melanoma carcinogenesis in the red hair/fair skin background. Nature 2012 Nov 15;491:449 ( http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature11624 )
Photo: Thanks and Gratitutd to APDK
Once again, thank you Dr. Bailey for your very informative and useful blog. The post about redheads and melanoma is a boost for being ever dilligent in my skincare/sunscreen regime. Thank you…I always enjoy reading your blog, and your products are WONDERFUL! The redness relief kit has beeen almost life changing for my rosacea! My skin has never been happier! Thank you!
What’s the definition of inability to tan? At all with just getting red even with sunscreen? I get pink a little and only sometimes but do get some colour that washes off soon enough. Do I belong to this club? Also, I had some red in my hair as a kid, but have never been a true redhead, and now I’m dark blond… What would you say my diagnosis is, Dr Bailey? Many thanks.
Hi Vera,
I can’t say what your diagnosis is because my blog and web writing is always aimed generally and for educational purposes only – it’s an ethics issue and a liability issue for me professionally.
To sort a person’s skin type, I ask the question about burning and Fitz type 1 is “always burns never tans” and Fitz type 2 is “always burn sometimes tan”. Redheads can be both Fitz type 1 and 2. It’s the actual pheomelanin (redhead pigment) production pathway in the skin that seems to result in the free radicals. The study was done on animals who’s skin made pheomelanin. There is a lot more work to do in humans but what’s important is that we are starting to understand WHY redheads are at risk for melanomas even in parts of their skin that have never seen the sun.
So far I am not aware there are cases of skin cancer on our community but I think its a good thing to learn what things you can do to prevent this from happening that I think will be a good preparation for this kind of things, information is a good tool.
This is very interesting. I’m not sure to what extent this is related – probably quite a bit – but my sister who is a redhead contracted skin cancer as a result of an exposed mole. Fortunately it got caught and treated in time (she just had a 10 year ‘all clear’ test).
What’s really a bit worrying is that she doesn’t sunbath and goes out and about well covered up simply because she is a redhead and has sensitive skin.
Just goes to show that you can’t be too careful!
Of course using sunscreen as you recommend makes sense anyway since it helps helps negate the aging effects of the sun
Thanks for the use information. Found everything very interesting… Skin cancer is not a fun road to go down. A friend of a friend was diagnosed a little while ago and I’m scared for her. Anyways.. Great post! Thanks for the educational tips!