The internet’s most-popular health education web site this week reported that genetic factors – and not UV exposure – explain why red heads are at a higher risk for melanoma.

Mercola.com, the site for health education guru Dr. Joseph Mercola, dedicated a column to correcting the myth that any sun exposure is harmful as opposed to just sunburn prevention.

“People with red hair, very fair skin, freckles and a genetically-based inability to tan have the highest risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Conventionally, this has been blamed on the fact that people with fair skin have less pigment (melanin) in their skin, which means they have less “natural sunscreen” against ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Therefore, the conventional dogma is that the sun is more damaging to redheads with fair skin, and this increases their skin cancer risk,” Mercola wrote. “The problem with this widely held belief is that melanoma often appears on skin that is not exposed to the sun, which suggests sun exposure may actually be only a scapegoat while other variables are the true culprit. New research supports this notion, and found redheads have an increased melanoma risk whether they go out into the sun or not.”

To read the Mercola.com article click here.

SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can’t say in your tanning salon business.

© 2012 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.