Bangs and Fringes Cut Risk of Skin Cancer: Study

Sporting bangs like Justin Bieber helps protect skin from sun damage, finds a study.

Bangs and fringes keep the forehead area unexposed to the harsh UV rays that cause sunburns, blemishes, scars and also increase the risk of skin cancer. Experts at the John Hopkins Hospital found young patients having bangs and hair dos that swept across their forehead had lesser freckles and lighter skin tone compared to the part of their face that was exposed to sunlight. Although, having freckles on the skin is not harmful, they are indicators of deadly skin diseases like melanoma.

The scientists believe these findings can be dubbed as 'the big bang theory' and can be used to educate teens and children to ensure sun protection and avert  major skin problems. This theory demonstrates how skin remaining covered by thick strands of hair escapes the damaging effects of sun. 

"It is a gimmicky way to make them smile and engage them in a conversation about sun protection," said Bernard Cohen, study author and professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the John Hopkins' Hospital, reports the Live Science news.

The new method provides sun care tips like regularly using sunscreen, avoiding too much outdoor time when it is too hot and wearing hats and sun-protective clothing. Teens and children are slightly resistant to these suggestions as they are least worried about skin diseases that mostly occur in old age. But the authors noted majority of the teens do worry about getting wrinkles that makes them look older. Appearances of wrinkles at a younger age are markers of extreme sun damage.

The study urges teens to use sunscreen lotions on their entire face and not just the parts that remain uncovered.

More information is available online in JAMA.