Summer and vacation is the perfect combination for going to the beach or the pool. Even though many people use sunscreen, some forget to protect areas such as the scalp – which is also affected by ultraviolet rays and can be affected by skin cancer.
According to data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca), around 220,000 new cases of the disease are registered each year in Brazil, with 704,000 new diagnoses expected by 2025.
Although hair offers some protection to the scalp against the sun's rays, dermatologists recommend the use of caps or hats during sun exposure, in addition to using sunscreen.
“The use of caps and hats will create a physical barrier that helps with this protection, and it is important that they are also used when the person enters the water. There are some models that have fabric with a protection factor, but it doesn't necessarily have to be that style. The fabric of the accessory itself will help block the rays”, explains dermatologist Priscilla Pereira.
For those who are bald, bald or have thinning hair, attention to this area should be doubled. Experts warn that the scalp area has more delicate skin, which can increase the chance of burns due to sun exposure and also the chances of developing skin cancer.
Therefore, the recommendation is that these people use and abuse sunscreen in this area of the body, giving preference to more fluid products, which are easier to spread.
It is also recommended that the product's protection factor is at least 50% and that it is applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.
Furthermore, you should never use an expired product, as it impairs the effectiveness of the protection. You should also not use heat protectant for your hair to protect your scalp.
“People often associate thermal hair protectors with sunscreen, but these products should not be used for this purpose because it will not adequately protect the scalp skin”, adds Priscilla.
Moles, stains and wounds
Skin cancer can appear in two forms: melanoma (which can reach deeper layers of the skin) and non-melanoma (more superficial), the latter being the most common to be recorded.
The main causes of this type of cancer are excessive exposure to the sun on a recurring basis without adequate protection and also a genetic factor – if there is a family history. People with light skin and hair are more likely to have the disease.
According to dermatologist Juliana Toma, the disease can begin with a small spot or wound on the scalp that increases in size and changes in color and size over time.
These changes can be identified based on the rule known as “ABCDE” – Asymmetry, Irregular Edges, Color, Diameter and Evolution.
- Asymmetry: when one part of the lesion is different from the other
- Borders: if the mole or stain has irregular edges
- Color: when the lesion has different colors (red, brown and black)
- Diameter: if the lesion is greater than 6 mm in diameter
- Evolution: changes in size, shape and color over time
“The signs of skin cancer on the scalp are very similar to the signs of skin cancer on the body itself. So, some wound or bruise that doesn't heal, some “scab” that stays and doesn't go away or a mole that grows, bleeds and hurts; These are injuries, not only on the scalp, but on the skin, which draw attention to a more dangerous injury, or an injury that needs to be analyzed”, details Juliana.
Detecting skin cancer on the scalp is not always easy to do, as it is an area that we do not usually notice in detail – especially those who have a lot of hair.
Although it can be done individually, the tip is to ask someone else for help to analyze the area if there is any wound or bruise that is bothering you.
“Most of the time, patients don’t even know they have a scalp injury. So, it is the hairdresser who will alert people about these injuries. It is important to emphasize the need for routine follow-up by a dermatologist, at least once a year, you should consult with a professional who is in the habit of examining the patient completely, including evaluating lesions on the scalp, which sometimes go unnoticed.” , adds Priscilla.
Source: CNN Brasil
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