As fashionistas crop their locks to create a fresh look for spring, leading corporate skin cancer awareness campaigner Suncorp wants Queensland hair salons to promote SunWise styles.

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has observed an increase over recent decades in the number of women contracting deadly melanomas on their ears.
QIMR's David Whiteman said a rise in the popularity of short hair-cuts could be to blame.

"Queenslanders might be surprised to learn that a hairy head can be a great ally in the fight against skin cancer," Dr Whiteman said.

"We used mannequins to test the level of sun protection hair can provide for ears and found it reduced solar ultraviolet-B exposure by 81%," he said

"The right sort of hair-cut can provide good protection to not only the ears but also the scalp and the neck."
To mark the first day of spring, Suncorp has developed a list of Hair Dos and Don'ts that can be used to identify a trendy SunWise cut.

Suncorp Group Executive for Strategy, People and Corporate Services Stuart McDonald said melanoma is a devastating reality for many Queensland families and it's important every effort is made to protect our skin from the sun.

"Suncorp volunteers at Brisbane's South Bank and at beaches on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts will again be distributing free sunscreen during the warmer months," Mr McDonald said.

"They'll be encouraging anyone with a short hair-cut to make sure they pay their ears, neck and scalp particular attention."

The list of ‘SunWise Spring Hair Dos and Don'ts' has been sent to Hair and Beauty Australia, the nation's peak hair and beauty industry body, to distribute to salons across the nation.

SunWise Spring Hair Dos and Don'ts
• DO - cover your ears.
• DO - cover your neck.
• DON'T - forget the sunscreen if your ears and neck are exposed.
• DON'T - forget your hat.

Director at boutique Brisbane hair salon Vogue Nationale Todd Arndt said it's possible to be both SunWise and fashionable.

"The SunWise but style-savvy should look to celebrities such as supermodel Agyness Deyn for inspiration. She's grown her short crop into a square bob paving the way for the fashionable set this season," Mr Arndt said.

His salon is the first in Queensland to display the list of SunWise Hair Dos and Don'ts and make it available to clients.

Mr McDonald said women who opt for a short pixie-style cut to celebrate the warmer weather should be extra diligent about protecting their newly exposed skin.

"In Spring and Summer it can take just six minutes to burn so health conscious trend setters should be sure to wear a hat or reapply sunscreen to their ears, neck and scalp every two hours," he said.

Media contact: Kathryn Stevens at Sequel Communications on 3251 8145 or 0403 090 912