Dermatological effects from years in the sun: compounding opportunities.

Sun worship has existed for thousands of years and the popularity of sunbathing and tanning salons proves that it still exists today. Overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and tanning beds is a major cause of skin damage and the main cause of precancerous and cancerous skin lesions. Regardless of the many warnings about the dangers of sun exposure and the many sunscreen products available, a significant number of people develop these lesions. The most common sun-induced pre-cancerous lesion is solar keratosis, or actinic keratosis. Unless detected and treated, actinic keratosis can progress to skin cancer. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. All can be cured if caught early and treated promptly. A number of treatment options are available for skin cancers, including topical preparations, systemic chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and surgery. The best treatment option depends on the type and location of lesion, the stage of the lesion, and the needs of the individual patient.