A new study presented at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2026 annual meeting found that nicotinamide, a derivative of vitamin B3, may reduce melanoma development by 36% in people without prior melanoma history. The research, which won first place in the Poster Awards Competition, analyzed data from over 33,000 Veterans Affairs patients and represents the first real-world investigation of nicotinamide's protective effects against melanoma .

What Is Nicotinamide and How Might It Protect Against Melanoma?

Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has already shown promise in preventing other skin cancers. Previous research demonstrated that nicotinamide at doses of 500 milligrams twice daily could decrease the rate of keratinocyte carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer . Animal studies using mouse models suggested the vitamin might also protect against melanoma, but until now, no one had tested this theory in actual patients.

The new study changed that by examining medical records from 33,581 Veterans Affairs patients who had experienced one or more prior skin cancers of any type. Researchers found that among patients with no history of melanoma, those who used nicotinamide showed a 36% reduction in melanoma development compared to those who didn't take the supplement . The protective effect was statistically significant for invasive melanoma, the more serious form of the disease, though the benefit was less clear for in situ melanoma, an early stage form that hasn't spread .

Does Nicotinamide Work Equally Well on All Parts of the Body?

One particularly interesting finding was that nicotinamide's protective effect remained consistent regardless of whether the melanoma developed in sun-exposed areas like the face and arms or in sun-protected areas like the torso . This suggests the vitamin may work through mechanisms beyond simply blocking ultraviolet radiation, possibly by supporting skin cell repair and reducing inflammation at a cellular level.

The study's authors, led by Katlyn Knox from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, emphasized that while these results are promising, more research is needed to confirm cause and effect. They called for a randomized controlled trial, the gold standard in medical research, to determine whether nicotinamide directly causes the reduction in melanoma risk or whether other factors might explain the association .

How to Incorporate Nicotinamide Into Your Skin Health Strategy

• Dosage Consideration: Previous research on keratinocyte carcinoma used 500 milligrams of nicotinamide taken twice daily, though the optimal dose for melanoma prevention remains to be determined in future studies.
• Combine With Other Prevention Methods: Nicotinamide should be viewed as one tool among many for melanoma prevention, not a replacement for sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak UV hours.
• Consult Your Dermatologist: If you have a history of skin cancer or are at high risk for melanoma, discuss nicotinamide supplementation with your dermatologist to determine if it's appropriate for your individual situation.

The significance of this research lies in offering a potentially accessible, low-cost preventive strategy for people at elevated risk of melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and while prevention through sun protection remains the first line of defense, additional tools that might reduce risk are valuable, particularly for people who have already experienced one skin cancer and face higher odds of developing another.

The study's large sample size and real-world setting make the findings particularly compelling. Rather than relying on laboratory conditions or small clinical trials, researchers examined actual patient outcomes across a diverse population of veterans, lending credibility to the results. However, the retrospective nature of the study means researchers were looking backward at medical records rather than following patients forward over time, which is why confirmation through a prospective randomized controlled trial is essential .

For now, the takeaway is clear: nicotinamide shows genuine promise as a melanoma prevention strategy, and dermatologists are likely to recommend further investigation. If you're concerned about melanoma risk, this research provides another reason to have a conversation with your skin care provider about comprehensive prevention strategies tailored to your individual risk factors.