Download hair and beauty professionals should know about scalp skin cancer

Counsel your clients on protecting their skin from
the harmful UV rays. Educate them to:
Find an ASDS member dermatologist near you:
www.asds.net
Wear sunscreen. Broad-spectrum sunscreens with
an SPF of 30 or higher are a good defense.
Avoid sun during peak hours. UV light is strongest
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cover up. Hats, sunglasses and protective
clothing made of tightly knit fabric can help.
Avoid tanning beds.
HOW TO REFER YOUR CLIENTS to a
dermatologist if you see a suspicious area of skin:
1. Don’t alarm them!
The client should not be frightened. Use
comfortable, non-threatening language.
The
2. Be curious. Ask:
FACTS
How long have you had this?
Has it changed in any way?
Does it have any funny sensations?
3.Relax and refer. Beauty and hair professionals are
not expected to diagnose skin cancer. If there are red
flags, suggest that the client see a physician:
Have you ever had this mole examined
by a dermatologist?
The next time you see your doctor, why don’t
you have you have him/her look at this for you?
For more information on skin cancer, to find an ASDS
member dermatologist or to download a PDF of this
brochure, visit asds.net.
© American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. All rights reserved.
hair and beauty
professionals
should know
about scalp
skin cancer
FACT
Skin cancer is an equal
opportunity disease
FACT
There are three main types
of skin cancer
Nearly 1.5 million people in the United States are
diagnosed each year with skin cancer. This most common
form of cancer also causes more than 12,000 deaths
annually. While skin cancer is more common in fairskinned individuals, it can affect any ethnicity. When skin
cancer occurs in African- Americans, Asians and Latinos, it
is frequently diagnosed at a later stage, which can result
in poorer outcomes. The key to reducing the devastating
effects of skin cancer is prevention and early detection.
Skin cancer often starts as simple changes to the skin, first
as new growths that – while not cancer – can become so
over time. The most common types of skin cancer include:
Did you know? Unlike many other forms of
cancer, skin cancer is often visible. Since hair and
beauty professionals see the entire scalp during the
course of their work, they can find growths that
clients might not see.
As a professional in these industries, you are not expected
to diagnose skin cancer. Instead, you can identify
suspicious skin growths during the course of your work
and prompt clients to visit a dermatologist for further
investigation. The true benefit is the awareness and
referral that you can bring to the client. You can help
to possibly save a life!
Did you know? Indoor tanning beds are more
harmful to your skin than the sun. People who first use
a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for
melanoma by 75 percent.
FACT
That lesion can’t be ignored
Any suspicious new growths or changes in existing
moles or growths should be examined by a dermatologist
immediately. Most skin cancer is curable if treated
early enough.
Did you know? 20% of Americans will develop
some type of skin cancer during their lifetimes.
Basal cell carcinoma – This most
common type of skin cancer is typically
found on the head and neck. Rarely
life-threatening, it may appear as a
translucent or pearly bump; a sore that
does not heal; a pink, slightly elevated growth; a reddish
irritated patch of skin; or a waxy scar-like lesion.
Squamous cell carcinoma – This skin
cancer develops as a result of sun exposure
as well as from skin injuries such as burns,
scars, sores and ulcers. It may appear as a
scaly area of skin with a red, inflamed base;
a non-healing ulcer; or a crusted patch of skin. Actinic
keratoses, or “pre-cancers,” are red, scaly patches on
the skin that may feel like sandpaper. If left untreated,
they may turn into squamous cell carcinoma.
Melanoma – This is the most serious
type of skin cancer because of its ability to
spread. Melanoma often develops as a new
mole or as changes to an existing mole. One
person dies from melanoma every hour.
FACT
Dermatologists are the experts
in skin, hair and nails
Members of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
(ASDS) are board-certified dermatologists who are experts
in maintaining skin, hair and nail health throughout life.
Did you know? ASDS members treat more than
3 million skin cancers each year. For skin cancer,
an ASDS dermatologist may recommend surgically
removing cancerous tissue or destroying cancerous
tissue with lasers, a cold spray or a combination of
scraping and cauterization.
FACT
Early detection is critical
It is vital to know the early warning signs.
Did you know? Melanoma can develop anywhere,
even in places that are not exposed to the sun, such as
within the hairline, the soles of the feet or even under
the nails. The SHADE mnemonic developed by the
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery is an easy way
to remember the signs that might indicate skin cancer:
SurfaceThe skin surface is scaly,
crusty and/or bleeding.
HeightThe skin is raised
or sunken.
AgeThe skin is abnormal for
more than one month;
the client is usually 40
and older.
Dermatology Clients can get a suspicious
Evaluationmole or patch of skin evaluated
by an ASDS member dermatologist.
Visit asds.net to find a
dermatologist near you.