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 published in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology states that nonmelanoma skin cancers have doubled from 1992 to 2006. In general, this study comprehends keratinocyte carcinomas like basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. The study was done with data gathered 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.

Too much UV exposure (from direct sun exposure or tanning beds) is the main cause of these cancers. In fact, exposure to UV radiation can lead to a slew of different problems such as wrinkles, age spots, and even precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis. If at any moment you notice you've developed actinic keratosis then treat it immediately. This type of skin condition can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

To get a better understanding we need to take a closer look at actinic keratosis treatment and actinic keratosis prevention as a way of avoiding the development of skin cancer.

First of all, prevention is simple: don't expose your skin to the sun. This may not be practical for most people, so using sunscreen every day is the most sensible way to protect your skin. Another protective measure is the use of long sleeved shirts and wide brimmed hats that cover a larger area of skin.

Secondly, if you feel that you may have developed actinic keratosis, you should consult 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 stay out of the sun long enough, these patches will go away. However, they will return once you start exposing your skin to the sun again.

In order to find out how advanced your actinic keratosis is you need to undergo a skin biopsy. Anyone being treated for keratosis lesions will be asked to reduce their exposure to the sun. Some people will also require a microdermabrasion treatment or topical chemotherapy drugs to help treat their condition.

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

Treating actinic keratosis and preventing its escalation into skin cancer is very simple. By taking steps early on, you can avoid more serious problems and also avoid the high cost of cancer treatments.