There is something innovative happening in hair salons. A recent study byUniversity of Portsmouth revealed something extraordinary: Hairdressers and barbers could become valuable allies in the fight against skin cancer. As they handle scissors and combs, their expert eyes could pick up warning signs on the scalp, neck, and face—the very areas we rarely examine on our own. It’s an idea that would transform the concept of mole checking, taking it out of the doctor’s office and turning a simple visit to the hairdresser into a potential moment of prevention.
Expert eyes in unexpected places
The research, conducted by Helen Fleming of the University of Portsmouth, involved 37 professionals including hairdressers and barbers of the English city. The results, published in this scientific journal, are surprising: although only 5% of respondents had received formal training on recognising suspicious skin lesions, nearly a quarter (24%) regularly checked clients for skin abnormalities.
But the most impressive data concerns the effectiveness of these informal checks: about a third of hairdressers had already advised some clients to contact a doctor after having noticed something suspicious, and of these customers, a full 39% went on to receive an actual diagnosis of skin cancer. A percentage that makes you think and demonstrates how the attentive eyes of these professionals can really make a difference.
Fleming, now a researcher at the School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, stressed:
“Hairdressers and barbers are in a unique position to notice changes in parts of the skin that most people can’t easily see. With a little training, they could become powerful allies in early diagnosis.”
Mole Control: A Problem of Accessibility and Early Diagnosis
Il skin cancer It is one of the most common forms of cancer, but also one of the most curable if detected early. The problem is that many lesions develop in areas that are difficult to examine independently, such as the scalp, the nape of the neck or behind the ears: areas that a hairdresser examines daily.
Secondo data from the Italian Association for Cancer Research, in 2024, approximately 12.941 new diagnoses of skin melanoma were estimated in Italy: 7.069 among men and 5.872 among women. This is of the third most common cancer in both sexes under the age of 50. Exposure to UV rays remains the main environmental risk factor, but early diagnosis is crucial: when melanoma is detected in its early stages, The 5-year survival rate can exceed 90%.
The findings of this research are particularly important in Portsmouth, where melanoma rates are around 26% higher than the English national average. A context that reflects a worrying global trend: according to the latest statistics, skin cancer is steadily increasing, with more than 5.400 people dying from it every month worldwide.
Barriers and opportunities
What prevents hairdressers from taking a more active role in this field? The study identified two main obstacles: lack of training (65%) and the lack of confidence in one's abilities to recognize suspicious lesions (24%). Yet, almost all respondents (92%) expressed interest in learning more about skin cancer.
I am particularly struck by how this research highlights a potential that has been underestimated so far. It is not a question of transforming hairdressers into doctors or replacing professional dermatological checks, but of creating an awareness and early warning network that could save many lives.
One of the testimonies collected during the study tells of a hairdresser who noticed a suspicious mole on a client: "She didn't know she had it. I explained and showed her the lesion in the mirror, and she was able to have it examined and treated, proving to be very grateful that I had shown it to her because she didn't know about it."
Mole Control, Stories of Lives Saved
This is not just a theory or a statistic. There are already documented cases of people whose lives have been saved thanks to the watchful eye of a hairdresser. A particularly significant story reports the experience of Ronnie, a woman who went to the hairdresser for a routine haircut in June 2022. While styling her hair, the hairdresser noticed a spot on her scalp that hadn't been there six weeks earlier.
Thanks to that report, Ronnie immediately consulted her dermatologist, receiving the diagnosis of stage 0 (in situ) melanoma. Timely intervention allowed the complete removal of the tumor cells, leading to a complete cure. As Ronnie herself stated:
“It wasn’t a place I would have easily seen myself in, but she definitely felt it was something I should check out.”
The potential of targeted training
Fleming’s current research project aims to study skin cancer prevention practices among barbers in Portsmouth. It is hoped that further research in this area will lead to the introduction of skin cancer awareness training programmes for apprentice hairdressers and barbers in the UK, as well as free courses for established professionals.
The long-term goal is ambitious but achievable: to make hair salons and barbershops a resource for head and neck skin cancer screening. With the right knowledge, these professionals could significantly contribute to early diagnosis, improving survival rates and potentially reducing treatment costs for the healthcare system.
A complementary, not a substitute, approach
It is important to note that this strategy is not intended to replace regular dermatological visits or self-examination of the skin. Rather, it represents an additional level of protection, particularly effective for those areas of the body that escape our daily observation.
The experts highlight in recent publications how, despite advances in treatments (such as new topical creams being tested), early diagnosis remains the most effective weapon against skin cancer. An observation network that also includes hairdressers and barbers could represent a significant step forward in this direction.
Mole Control, a New Awareness
Prevention is a shared responsibility and can occur even in the most everyday contexts: the evolution of the role of the hairdresser, from a simple beautician to a potential ally in cancer prevention, represents a perfect example of how public health can benefit from innovative and multidisciplinary approaches.
As Dr. Fleming herself pointed out:
“We want to encourage both the public and hairdressing professionals to understand the signs and take them seriously. Spotting a suspicious mole and taking action quickly can make a lifesaving difference.”
A simple visit to the hairdresser could turn into something much more significant than a simple haircut: a moment of prevention that, in some cases, could actually save a life. And if your hairdresser pointed out something unusual about your skin, perhaps you should thank him twice: for the cut and for the care.
