Did you know that baldness is a risk factor for skin cancer?

Scientific studies link hair loss with low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, as well as being a risk factor for developing skin cancer. In this article, we explain why baldness is a risk factor for skin cancer and what tips you should follow to prevent it.

Baldness is not merely a matter of appearance; it’s a health problem, and it has a solution.

It isn’t always easy to protect the skin from the effects of the sun. In summer, we use sunscreen at the beach, but the amount of cream and the frequency at which it is applied, as well as the type of product, may not be the most suitable. That compromises the effectiveness of the protection.

The areas of skin most exposed to the sun are another concern, as this is greater for men with alopecia. Hair loss means the skin of the scalp is permanently exposed to the sun’s harmful rays, and the tendency to suffer injuries in that area is higher without using sunscreen or wearing a hat. In outdoor sports activities such as cycling, both sunscreen and hats are a problem as temperatures increase. Sun exposure is higher in areas of the body that receive direct sunlight, causing injuries to the scalp. More and more injuries of this kind are occurring at earlier ages in our population.

What does science say?

Baldness and skin cancer: the relationship is scientific. In 2017, a group of researchers analysed the impact of the sun on a group of bald men; they published their finding that “male baldness could be associated with an increased risk of skin cancer” in the prestigious International Journal of Cancer.

What does the Insparya clinical team say?

Baldness now has a solution: a hair transplant.

Hair transplantation is a procedure that is safe and painless, and it’s effective and offers guaranteed results. A hair transplant consists of taking hair follicles from the donor area of the head and subsequently repositioning and redistributing them in the recipient area that has alopecia. This procedure uses Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a highly precise technique that has the best results in hair transplantation.

More about skin cancer

Cases of skin cancer are on the rise. Three new cases of melanomas are diagnosed every day. But beware: skin cancer is only treatable if diagnosed at an early stage.

How and where to look?

The Insparya clinical team wants to share the following tips:

• Check your skin once a month for any changes or suspicious-looking spots. The examination should include a detailed inspection of your entire body, front and back, with particular emphasis on areas that are exposed to the sun.
• Stand in front of a full-length mirror with a hand mirror to help check the areas that are hardest to see.
• Examine your face, including the nose, lips, mouth, and ears (front and back).
• Examine your scalp, using a comb to separate the hair into strands. If you only have a little hair, you should examine the entire scalp very carefully.
• Examine your hands on both sides and between your fingers.
• Pay attention to your neck, chest, and torso.
• Women should also examine the space between and below the breasts thoroughly.
• Bend your elbow to examine your arm and armpits.
• Use a hand mirror to examine the back of your neck, shoulders, and back.
• Examine your buttocks, genitals, and backs of the legs.
• Finally, examine the soles of your feet and the spaces between your toes.