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(NBC News) -- If you spent most of your childhood in the sun - you may spend a good deal of adulthood in the dermatologist's office!
The good news - doctors now have a menu of non invasive treatments to help prevent hi-risk skin from developing cancer.
NBC's Helen Chickering takes a closer look at what's available to prevent sun damage from turning into cancer.
Make-up artist Trish Mcevoy is famous for her ability transform aging and Sun damaged skin.
"It gives the skin luminescence"
But when sun damage turns to skin cancer - you need more than make-up.
John Murray, M.D., Dermatologist: "Most people on average develop skin cancer or sun changes by the age of 50
Today you don't have to watch and wait for skin cancers to appear. A Menu of prescription skin remedies, from Retin-a to the psoriasis drug Tazorac - can help prevent sun damage from turning into cancer, says Duke University Dermatologist Dr. John Murray.
John Murray, M.D., Dermatologist: "They can help get rid of liver spots, can help with wrinkling, some of the effects of the skin we associate with aging, to help skin appear more youthful - and at the same time it's more healthy as well"
And there are topical vitamins - especially C - are proving to be effective skin savers.
Helen Chickering, NBC News: "Scientists are also working on a cream that would help your skin's dna repair it's- offsetting the damage from all those years in the sun. But for now, the best strategy is still prevention, and that means using this"
John Murray, M.D., Dermatologist: "We try to convince people their over all appearance would be better if they use sun protection than if they pursued that tan."
Unless that tan comes from a bottle
"With a little bit of bronzing power."
Or a brush!
Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all types of cancers. Estimates suggest more than one million Americans develop skin cancer every year.
Retin-A and other creams that show promise in helping prevent skin cancer are only available through prescription.
