According to new research by a Duke University chemist, redheads might be more prone to skin cancer than brunettes because of differences in the way ultraviolet light affects pigments. 

Duke chemistry professor John Simon and colleagues found after isolating the skin pigmentations of redheads and brunettes that redheads are more susceptible to oxidation.  The results were presented Aug. 28 at the American Chemical Society annual meeting.

Simon said in a prepared statement that, “activating oxygen can produce compounds called radicals that put oxidative stress on cells.”  When researchers used ultraviolet light and a special microscope, they determined the pigment produced by cells in redheads favored oxidation, which Simon said “could ultimately lead to cancer and other diseases.” 

The research did not provide a definitive link.