Fair Warning to Redheads... Stay Out of the Sun

If you or someone you love has red hair, pale skin and freckles, staying out of the sun is a must to avoid skin cancer. Even if you don’t have red hair, but carry the “ginger gene” you’re also at risk. Red-haired people all have two copies of the gene which causes a strong tendency to burn in the sun. Called the MC1R variant, the redhead gene affects skin pigment leaving you especially vulnerable to damage from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV).

Researchers found an average of 42% more sun-associated mutations in tumors from people carrying the gene.

As the son and father of a redhead, Dr. Kenet is especially vigilant about their summer sun safety. His son David wears a long sleeve rash guard with a built in head cover whenever he ventures to the beach for a swim. His mother assiduously avoids sun exposure, and uses a “parasol” when she walks her dog in the afternoon. She also wears long sleeves and a hat.

It is essential to wear sunscreen on sun exposed areas and to reapply as often as possible.

KenetMD EnGarde SPF 30 offers full spectrum protection and is oil-free. It’s great for all skin types and a necessary defense against premature aging and skin cancer.