Skin Cancer Prevention
Understanding Skin Cancer Risk
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and chronic sun exposure is the leading cause. Precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses (AKs) often appear as rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if untreated.
Preventing skin cancer means not only protecting skin from UV damage but also treating precancerous changes early!
In addition to regular skin checks and sun protection, dermatology now offers minimally-invasive therapies that both treat precancerous lesions and improve overall skin quality.
Prescription topical agents can target precancerous cells across a broad field of sun-damaged skin.
- 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU):
A chemotherapy cream that selectively destroys abnormal precancerous cells. Used over several weeks, it clears visible and subclinical AKs, effectively lowering skin cancer risk.
- Imiquimod:
Stimulates the immune system to attack abnormal skin cells. Clears AKs and some superficial skin cancers.
Photodynamic therapy combines a light-sensitive topical medication with targeted light exposure.
- How It Works: A photosensitizing agent (aminolevulinic acid) is applied to the skin and preferentially absorbed by abnormal precancerous cells. When exposed to blue or red light, these cells are destroyed.
- Cancer Prevention: Treats large areas of sun damage, reducing AKs and lowering the likelihood of progression to squamous cell carcinoma.
- Downtime: Redness, peeling, and sun sensitivity for several days.
Chemical peels are not just cosmetic — they have field cancerization benefits by removing precancerous keratinocytes.
- TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) Peels: Penetrate to the mid-dermis, destroying atypical cells while stimulating collagen remodeling.
- Cancer Prevention: By exfoliating sun-damaged layers, medium peels decrease AKs and reduce future risk of skin cancer.
- Cosmetic Benefits: Smoother texture, more even tone, reduction in fine lines and sun spots.
- Downtime: Peeling for 5–7 days, with pink skin that gradually returns to normal.
Fraxel is a fractional non-ablative laser that treats microscopic zones of the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact, allowing rapid healing.
- Cancer Prevention: Clinical studies show that Fraxel can significantly reduce actinic keratoses and improve precancerous changes at a cellular level. It has even been shown to lower the risk of future non-melanoma skin cancers in high-risk patients.
- Cosmetic Benefits:
- This laser offers some of the greatest improvements in pigmentation, sun spots, and fine lines with little downtime.
- Smooths texture and reduces pore size
- Enhances overall glow and skin health
- Downtime: Redness and swelling for 5-7 days; results build over weeks.
CO₂ laser is the gold standard for ablative resurfacing. By vaporizing damaged layers of skin, it provides both therapeutic and aesthetic benefits.
- Cancer Prevention: Removes superficial precancerous lesions and improves the “field effect” of sun-damaged skin, reducing the likelihood of progression to skin cancer.
- Cosmetic Benefits:
- Most aggressive laser for resurfacing, providing improvement of deep, etched in wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes
- Simultaneously improves acne scars and texture irregularities
- Tightens skin through collagen remodeling
- Downtime: 7–14 days of redness and healing, followed by gradual improvement over months.
Many patients benefit from a multimodal approach:
- Topical therapies or PDT to address broad areas of damage.
- Fraxel or CO₂ lasers for deep rejuvenation and long-term prevention.
- Chemical peels for maintenance and cosmetic enhancement.
Combination therapy not only maximizes cancer prevention but also restores a more youthful, even complexion. These treatments simultaneously treat numerous cosmetic concerns, including: acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots and uneven pigmentation, poor skin tone or texture, and other signs of sun damage.
Dr. Brian Hibler will evaluate:
- Your history of sun exposure and skin cancers
- Current actinic keratoses or precancerous lesions
- Skin type, goals, and tolerance for downtime
From there, he will create a personalized plan that balances medical treatment with aesthetic improvement, ensuring both safety and natural-looking results.
Can these treatments replace surgery for skin cancer?
No. Invasive skin cancers often require surgical removal. These treatments are best for precancerous lesions and prevention.
How often should I get treatments?
This depends on your history and risk factors. Most patients benefit from an annual Fraxel treatment as part of ongoing maintenance.
Do insurance plans cover these procedures?
Topical therapies and PDT are typically covered for precancerous lesions. Fraxel, CO₂ laser, and chemical peels are usually considered elective and mainly performed for their cosmetic benefit.
Protect your skin and restore its health with advanced prevention therapies. Dr. Brian Hibler — a board certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic and laser dermatologist — offers cutting-edge treatments for actinic keratoses and skin cancer prevention in NYC. Schedule your consultation today and develop a treatment plan to not only enhance the cosmetic appearance of your skin, but simultaneously improve the health of your skin and decrease your future risk of skin cancer.
At a Glance
Dr. Brian Hibler
- Board-certified dermatologist
- Fellowship-trained dermatologist
- Ivy League educated at Cornell and Harvard Medical School
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