Sunscreens, Skin Cancer, and Your Patient.

In brief: Skin cancer is on the increase, at least partly because of the widespread pursuit of suntans. UV light causes not only tanning but also sunburn, an increased risk of skin cancer, and premature aging of the skin. Sunscreens are available that block short-wavelength UV light and thereby reduce these problems while allowing tanning. The principal types of sunscreens are listed and their properties discussed. Also described are the three types of skin tumors-basal cell, squamous cell, and malignant melanoma-along with cure rates and treatment methods. Surgical and medical techniques, chiefly chemical peeling and dermabrasion, can counteract to some degree the premature aging of skin from chronic actinic damage.