Shave to Save Face.

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy. Terminal hair is not routinely removed for assessment of BCCs on the scalp and yet may obscure the true size of scalp BCCs. This can compromise effective management.

OBJECTIVE

To underscore the importance of removing terminal hair on the scalp for an accurate assessment of clinical margins of BCC on the scalp.

METHODS

We report 2 cases of cutaneous BCC arising on the scalp. The size of the malignancies was underestimated because they were masked by hair growth.

RESULTS

Removing terminal hair allowed for a full assessment of the extent of the tumours on hair-bearing scalp, which had been underestimated by 73% to 80% prior to shaving.

CONCLUSION

Our cases highlight the importance of hair removal for complete assessment of cutaneous malignancy occurring on hair-bearing skin.