Doctors have noninvasive treatment options to help prevent high-risk skin from developing cancer.

"Most people on average develop skin cancer or sun changes by the age of 50," said Dr. John Murray, a Duke University Medical Center dermatologist.

Murray said prescription skin remedies ranging from Retin-A to the psoriasis drug Tazorac can help prevent sun damage from turning into cancer.

"They can help get rid of liver spots, they can help with wrinkling (and) 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," Murray said.

Topical vitamins, especially vitamin C, have proven effective as skin savers. Scientists are also working on a cream that would help your skin's DNA repair itself, offsetting the damage from all those years in the sun.

For now, the best strategy remains prevention.

"We try to convince people their overall appearance would be better if they use sun protection than if they pursued that tan," Murray said.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an estimated 1 million Americans develop skin cancer every year.