BEAUTY

Could Your Hairdresser Save Your Life?

Time to book in a trim

There are plenty of benefits of booking a hair appointment. You know, a new style, a treatment, a fresh blow-dry, a rich new colour …

But, it turns out that your hairdresser can do more than just help you look good.

According to a new study by the Australasian College of Dermatologists’, hairdressers are in a unique position, where they can help diagnose melanomas by pointing out any unusual spots or nodules on the scalp and neck.

Of a study of 237 patients with scalp melanomas, they found that 5% were initially alerted to their melanoma by their hairdresser.

And seeing as scalp melanomas have twice the mortality risk of any other head and neck melanoma’s, it’s important to catch them early.

So, what should you – and your hairdresser – be looking out for? An irregularly shaped and unevenly coloured brown or black patch.

Naturally, men with thinning hair are at highest risk of developing scalp melanomas because of the high sun exposure. However, men and women with a full head of hair are at risk too – especially along the part line.

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