Volunteer Creatives and Charity Melanoma Focus Launch "The Life Saving Haircut"

May. 28, 2026

For Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the UK's leading charity has launched an awareness campaign that aims to turn an everyday routine, a haircut, into a potentially life-saving moment.

The work developed in collaboration with Melanoma Focus is based on a simple insight: scalp melanomas, which are more common in men, are among the hardest to detect. The campaign was born out of an annual pro bono initiative by creative team Michele Bona, Chiara Biondi and Michael De Piano, three independent creative directors with experience across global brands, who worked together for AMVBBDO and Saatchi & Saatchi. 

In late 2025, the team learned that scalp melanomas are among the hardest to detect and decided to work on this challenge as the focus of their next project.

From this insight, a simple question emerged: who regularly sees what we can’t? The answer is: barbers.

The team worked to develop the campaign idea, partnering with Melanoma Focus and others in the industry, volunteering their time and talent to bring it to the widest possible audience in the most effective way they could.

Every year, more than 19,000 new cases of melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK alone. Most can be treated successfully if detected early. Research shows that in men, about 1 in 4 cases of melanoma are found in hard-to-spot areas such as the scalp and neck, which is why they are sometimes called “invisible killers”.

Chris Ward, owner of Huckle Barbershop in London, said:

“Back in 2018, while working at my shop on Old Street, I was cutting a regular’s hair. As I parted his hair, I noticed a mole on the top of his scalp that I hadn’t seen before. Over the months, it appeared irregular and seemed to have changed in both shape and size. I eventually mentioned it to him and suggested that he have it checked by a doctor, just to be safe. He took the advice and went for a medical examination. The mole was removed, and the tests later confirmed that it was melanoma. Thankfully, it had been caught in time”.

 

Lisa Andrews, a barber from L.A.Barbers in Widley, added:

“I’ve been running my salon for 16 years when, during a haircut, I noticed an unusual mark near a regular client’s hairline. Because we knew each other well, I suggested he get it checked. He mentioned it to his GP, was referred for removal, and it turned out to be skin cancer. I’m really glad I spoke up - it meant it was treated in time.”

 

Jake is the owner of the No Bad Days Barbershop in Medway, Kent, and helped identify a cyst on his client's head said:

“I’ve been cutting Luke’s hair for a while, and I obviously get to see parts of his head that he doesn’t get to see. One day, I was doing a skin fade and noticed a slight rise on the back of his head. I took some photos to show him and suggested he get it checked out by the GP. Luke is a lovely lad, and I’m really happy we were able to pick this up early for him, as it ended up requiring surgery to remove a cyst.”

 

Luke Graham said: 

“Jake noticed a slight recurring spot on my neck at the bottom of my hairline a few times when cutting my hair, which developed into a lump. I decided to get this checked out, and it turned out to be a benign cyst that would require surgery to remove. Jake was always aware of the lump and took great care when cutting my hair so as not to aggravate it further.”

 

Barbers work in close contact with customers’ heads, necks, and scalps every day, yet most lack the basic knowledge to recognise early signs of skin cancer. However, research by Helen Fleming found that 92% are willing to learn these life-saving skills.

This led to the creation of “The Life Saving Haircut”, a free handbook for barbers that won’t teach you how to cut hair, but to spot potential signs of skin cancers. Developed with experts, the guide will provide barbers with the right guidance to start a conversation with customers.

Susanna Daniels | CEO of Melanoma Focus, said:

“Barbers are in a privileged position, seeing the same clients regularly. This handbook can help them to notice a mole that has changed, looks odd, or is new.”

 

To launch the initiative, a film was shot at Ruffians, with special thanks to their team. Several industry professionals and independent barbershops, alongside creatives from different areas, donated their time and talent to bringing this project to life. 

A printed limited edition of the guide will be distributed during Skin Cancer Awareness Month to make it a widely adopted tool in barbershops and barber schools across the UK. A PDF digital version of the guide can be downloaded directly from the Melanoma Focus website at:

Barbers and skin cancer survivors are supporting the initiative by sharing the campaign and raising awareness within their communities on social media. The goal is not to turn barbers into dermatologists, but to empower them to play an active role in early detection and help surface what often goes unseen.

Richard Tucker | Barber, Ruffians - London said:

“We see many things on people’s scalps, but we don’t always know what they are. We’re not doctors, but now we might be the reason someone sees one.”

 

Susanna Daniels | CEO of Melanoma Focus said:

“We can shine a light on these invisible killers, turning barbers into the first line of defence against skin cancer.”