Great question! Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) at 500mg twice daily (totaling 1000mg) has shown promise in research for reducing the risk of new basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in people who are at higher risk — particularly those who've already had skin cancer.
A notable clinical trial found that Show Full Answer
Great question! Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) at 500mg twice daily (totaling 1000mg) has shown promise in research for reducing the risk of new basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in people who are at higher risk — particularly those who've already had skin cancer.
A notable clinical trial found that this dose reduced new nonmelanoma skin cancers by about 23% in high-risk individuals over 12 months. However, the protective effect only lasts while you're taking it — the benefit stops when you stop supplementing. A few important things to keep in mind:
- Talk to your dermatologist first before starting any supplement regimen, especially at this dose
- It's not a replacement for sun protection — sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding peak UV hours are still essential
- It works best as part of a broader skin cancer prevention strategy
- Regular skin checks remain critical, especially if you've already had BCC or SCC
It's always worth having this conversation with your care team to see if it's right for your specific situation.
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