Most skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet injury to the skin. Thecommon underlying message is that sun exposure is bad for your skin and you have to limit it.

Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation – from the sun or other sources such as tanning devices – is the most important risk factor for skin cancer. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt but can cause:

• Sunburn
• Early aging of the skin
• Damage to the skin that builds up over time and can lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer is usually related to lifetime exposure to UV radiation.

While skin cancer usually appears in older adults, the damage begins at an early age from exposure to UV radiation, especially sunburn. New research suggests that while cells are often damaged in childhood, it may be sun exposure in adulthood that triggers cells to turn cancerous.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors
Anyone can develop skin cancer. But the risk is increased if you:

• Do not protect your skin from the sun.
• Work or spend a lot of time in the sun.
• Have infrequent but intense exposure to the sun.
• Suffered sunburn, especially in childhood.
• Have fair skin that burns easily, freckles, and doesn't easily tan. (People who have dark or olive-colored skin generally have more protection against skin cancer because they produce more melanin than fair-skinned people.)
• Have red or fair hair and blue or green eyes.
• Have a lot of moles.
• Have sunspots (solar keratoses).
• Have a compromised immune system (due to taking certain drugs after an organ transplant or being HIV positive, for example)

Movie Star Substitutes Safety for Sun To Keep Trademark Tan in Top Form
According to a sun-tanning tips website, TV and movie star George Hamilton – a  legend among tanning aficionados – eventually saw the health wisdom in limiting his exposure to genuine sun rays. Quoted as saying "It's so bad for skin!" Hamilton has reportedly switched to safer, sunless methods of maintaining his deeply bronzed look.