Bald is beautiful ... and risky

A message to Mr. Clean, Daddy Warbucks, Dr. Evil, and Howie Mandell: Scalp and neck melanoma were recently found to be twice as deadly as skin cancer on other parts of the body.

A study by University of North Carolina School of Medicine examined of 51,704 patients who diagnosed with skin cancer between 1992 and 2003. Of these patients, 43 percent had melanoma on arms or leg, 34 percent on their trunk, 12 percent on their ears or face, 6 percent on their scalp and/or neck, and 4 percent on other parts of their body. And though only 6 percent of patients had skin lesions on their scalp and/or neck, they accounted for 10 percent of all melanoma death cases.

While being bald certainly doesn't help, it's not only those with sparsely populated pates who are at risk. Even with a reasonably full coif, the sun can still penetrate to the scalp. And, unless you pop your collar like a 19-year-old frat guy, your neck is almost always exposed. Therefore, try to limit your exposure to direct sunlight and be sure to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.