Since right after World War II, people have had a love affair with the sun. Affluence and more free time meant a change in habits that included sunbathing and relaxing. However, those habits are now taking a toll on the health of many baby boomers.

A recent dermatological study that appeared in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology states that in 2006 nonmelanoma skin cancers have affected 50% more people than in 1992. In general, this study comprehends keratinocyte carcinomas like basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. The study was based on data from 2 Medicare databases and national surveys. The results showed that the majority of people being treated for this conditions were older adults, however, there were several cases of younger adults and even teenagers that had been treated for these types of carcinomas.

The main cause of these cancers was discovered to be the excess exposure to UV radiation (whether from direct sunlight or tanning beds). In fact, the UV radiation can lead to other problems such as premature aging and precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis. This type of skin condition can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if it is left untreated.

To get a better understanding we'll need to take a close look at actinic keratosis treatment and actinic keratosis prevention and see how they can be used as a way of avoiding the development of skin cancer.

First of all, prevention is simple, don't go out into the sun. This may not seem reasonable to most people, which is why it's best to use a good sunscreen every day. Another great way to protect your skin is by wearing long sleeved shirts and wide brimmed hats that can actually help cover a larger area of skin.

Secondly, if for any reason you suspect that you may have developed actinic keratosis, consult with your doctor. In case you're wondering if you do or don't have actinic keratosis, you should look for dry, scaly patches about 1 inch in diameter. If you do spot these patches don't be too quick to think that they are only signs of dry skin, which is what most people do, make sure that you seek the professional guidance of someone that can tell the difference between dry skin and actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratosis is a recurring problem. If you avoid solar exposure these patches will fade, however, once you've gone out into the sun again they will quickly reappear.

In order to find out how advanced your actinic keratosis is you need to undergo a skin biopsy. Some people will require microdermabrasion to help remove keratosis lesions or the use of topical chemotherapy drugs, however, no matter which treatment is recommended, everyone being treated will need to reduce their exposure to the sun.

Moreover, you can also use natural skin care products to help soothe the affected area. Biological skin creams that contain snail serum will boost the rate at which your skin heals. When these natural skin care products are used in conjunction with dermatological treatment, they can help restore the health of your skin.

Preventing the actinic keratosis from escalating into skin cancer is very simple, but you need to act fast. Remember, prevention cannot only help avoid more serious complications, but it can also help you avoid the high cost of skin cancer treatment.