Why Does Skin Cancer Risk Go Up After Age 65? Here’s What A Dermatologist Thinks

Skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy in the world, and the chances of developing it rise sharply after age 65. While many people know that the sun can damage the skin, few realize how the aging process itself makes the body’s largest organ more vulnerable to this condition.

The good news? Once you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, you can take steps to protect yourself.

Why do skin cancer risks increase after age 65? What can you do to keep this condition at bay?

Read on to learn about the top reasons why older adults face a higher skin cancer risk. You’ll also discover the proactive care strategies we give our patients at BHSkin Dermatology.

Why Do Older People Have a Higher Risk of Getting Skin Cancer?

Age brings changes we can see and others we can’t. Deep but gradual shifts in the skin’s function may help explain why older adults face a greater skin cancer risk than younger individuals. Below is a list exploring these changes.

Lifelong Environmental and UV Exposure

Sun exposure is the most critical risk factor for skin cancer, especially after many years of UV contact. UV rays harm the skin cells’ DNA—the part that tells them when to grow, rest, heal, or stop functioning. If DNA gets too damaged, skin cells grow out of control and may turn into cancer. This risk is greater in individuals with fair skin, and even more so if they’ve had blistering sunburns.

Besides sunlight, the skin also faces harm from chemicals like arsenic and soot, physical sources such as radiation and burns, and infections like high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which cause cancer-linked warts. Exposures at work, in outdoor settings, or even at home raise the chances of developing skin cancer over time.

DNA Changes

Your DNA is like an instruction manual for your body. Without it, cells can’t grow or heal themselves when damaged. Crucial in the healing process are the stem cells—young cells that can transform into many different cell types as they mature, including skin cells, and patch up injuries.

Stem cells copy their DNA each time they divide to create new cells. But there’s a small chance of a mistake, called a “mutation,” with every copy. Some DNA mutations can lead to diseases, including tumor growth. These copying errors add up as we age, raising the risk of various malignancies—not just skin cancer, but many others, including lung, prostate, or even breast cancer, depending on what cell type the stem cells become.

Fading Skin Barrier and Pigment Protection

The skin barrier, the outermost portion of the skin, protects against UV rays, toxins, irritants, and infections. Melanin is a pigment found underneath this layer that absorbs UV rays, adding another line of defense against skin tissue injuries, especially DNA damage.

In older adults, the skin barrier becomes thinner and weaker, and melanin levels drop or become uneven. These changes allow more UV rays and carcinogens to reach deeper skin layers, damaging cell DNA and ultimately increasing the risk of developing tumors like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell skin cancer, and even melanoma.

Declining Immune System

One of the body’s natural defenses against cancer cells is the immune system. As people grow older, immune cells become less active or stop recognizing early tumor signs. In the older age group, this weakened immune surveillance becomes a serious risk factor for skin cancer.

Medication Effects

Older individuals are more likely to live with health conditions that require immunosuppressants or photosensitizing medications. Steroids, which reduce immune activity during inflammation treatment, and hydrochlorothiazide, a common blood pressure drug that increases sun sensitivity, are examples of these medications.

Weakening the immune system or making the skin more vulnerable to UV damage elevates the risk of tumor growth. When combined with other age-related changes, such as reduced immunity and past sun exposure, these drugs can contribute to the increased cancer incidence in this group.

Buildup of Inflammation and Damage

Injuries, visible and invisible, build up in aging skin. Some damaged skin cells stop dividing but don’t die, entering a state called “senescence.” Senescent skin cells release chemicals that cause persistent, low-grade inflammation and promote the formation and spread of skin cancer cells. This inflammatory environment within the skin layers is common in older adult populations, contributing to their increased risk of skin cancer.

Reduced Ability to Repair DNA

In younger individuals, built-in cellular defenses often catch and shut down DNA errors early. But with increasing age, our skin becomes less effective at fixing these errors. This declining ability to self-repair means DNA mutations often go uncorrected. At the same time, mechanisms that clear damaged tissues slow down, allowing mutated cells to survive and multiply. The combination of these events raises the likelihood of developing skin cancer.

Delayed Detection

Skin cancer is often diagnosed late in older individuals because regular skin checks aren’t always part of their routine care. Additionally, they may have trouble getting to appointments or live in places where board-certified dermatologists aren’t available. Older adults dealing with other health issues, such as heart disease, may also see skin problems as less urgent. Missing early tumor signs puts these individuals at high risk of getting the big bad.

How Can You Reduce Your Skin Cancer Risk?

You can’t go back in time, but you can change what you do next. At BHSkin Dermatology, we recommend the following science-backed measures to help our patients stay ahead of future skin problems.

Limit UV Exposure

Skin cancer stat facts show that UV exposure remains a leading cause of skin tumors, including more common types like basal and squamous cell carcinoma and rarer ones like melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. That’s why protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most important preventive steps you can take.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting time outdoors between 10 AM and 2 PM, when the sun’s rays are strongest. Wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing, seek shade, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 when going out. Avoid indoor tanning and intentional sunbathing, which are risk factors for lasting DNA damage, even without a sunburn.

Some older adults undergo phototherapy for skin conditions like psoriasis. While helpful, repeated sessions can raise skin cancer risk. If you’re receiving this treatment, talk to your doctor about optimizing your UV dose based on your health needs.

Perform Skin Checks Regularly

Older adults should perform monthly self-skin checks and schedule a full-body skin exam with a doctor at least once a year. These skin cancer prevention musts are especially important for people at higher risk, including those who have had prior skin cancer, received cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, or spent years in the sun.

Watch for new growths, sore spots that don’t heal, or changes in the size, color, or shape of moles. For help spotting these early warning signs, check out our ABCDE Skin Cancer Guide for a quick and easy breakdown of what to look for. Regular skin cancer screening gives the best chance of catching this disease before it becomes more serious.

Treat Precancerous Skin Changes

Some rough or scaly skin spots may be precancerous, meaning they could become malignant if left unaddressed. Getting rid of them early can help prevent major issues later. If you’re unsure whether a skin blemish is harmless or needs treatment, it’s best to consult a board-certified dermatologist.

Consider Vitamin D Supplementation

UV exposure helps the body make vitamin D, which is important for bone health. But with age, the skin becomes less efficient at converting UV rays into vitamin D. Older adults may produce only half as much as younger people.

Some think more sun may help, but too much UV increases skin cancer risk. For cancer prevention, it’s safer to get vitamin D from food or supplements. Still, some doctors may recommend short periods of sun for people with low vitamin D levels, based on individual needs.

Stay Informed

Australia’s “Slip! Slop! Slap!” campaign has become a global model for sun safety education, teaching people to protect their skin through simple daily habits. “Slip! Slop! Slap!” stands for slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat—three easy steps to lower skin cancer risk.

Research shows that over four decades, the program significantly improved sun protection habits and reduced melanoma rates in younger individuals. People are more likely to take action when they understand risks and know what to do. For skin cancer prevention, the right knowledge can be your strongest defense.

Adjust Treatments

Speak with your doctor if you’re receiving a treatment that impacts your skin or immune system. Adjustments to dosage, timing, or supporting therapies may help reduce skin cancer-related risks without compromising effectiveness. Stick closely to instructions. This way, you get the benefits of treatment without weakening your protection against tumors.

Build Good Habits

Healthy lifestyle habits can help offset skin cancer risk factors. Wear protective gear if you work with radiation or hazardous chemicals, such as solvents and pesticides. Talk to your doctor about how long-term skin exposure may affect you and what steps you can take to prevent complications. Avoid untested products, as some creams and homemade remedies may contain harmful ingredients.

Protecting against HPV-related skin cancers starts with avoiding direct contact and managing warts right away. You may read our HPV prevention tips and wart treatment advice to learn more.

Research also shows that regular exercise and a healthy diet help slow aging at the cellular level. A balanced diet improves how your cells handle stress and prevents injuries from piling up. Exercise boosts this effect by helping your body clean out old cells and calm inflammation. These healthy routines not only support overall wellness but also make your skin more resilient against damage and disease.

The Relationship Between Aging and Skin Cancer Risk—Key Takeaways

As we move closer to our golden years, our skin becomes more vulnerable to tumors due to DNA damage, weaker immunity, and slower healing. Years of sun exposure, medications, and lifestyle factors all add up. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop protecting yourself, as skin cancer prevention matters at any age.

Limiting UV exposure, getting regular screenings, addressing suspicious lesions early on, and living a healthy lifestyle can all lower your risk. Understanding how skin cancer arises and how to prevent it can help you take control of your skin health.

Finally, if you have a suspicious lesion or concerns about developing skin cancer, it’s best to talk to a board-certified dermatologist. Only bona fide skin cancer experts can identify the problem accurately and explain it to you with the detail and clarity you need to make informed health decisions.

Have Skin Cancer Concerns? Get Answers from LA’s Most Trusted Specialists

Adults in their twilight years have a higher chance of developing skin tumors than younger individuals. Unfortunately, many don’t get diagnosed or treated in time. Knowing what to watch for is key, but what more can you do to take charge of your skin’s health?

At BHSkin Dermatology, our skin cancer experts are some of the best in California. They bring both heart and expertise to every case, helping patients feel seen, understood, and treated with care. Schedule a visit at our Glendale or Encino clinic, or try our telederm service for your first consultation.

Early action brings peace of mind. Book your appointment today!

References:

1. American Academy of Dermatology. (2025). Shade, Clothing, and Sunscreen. Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen
2. An, S., Kim, K., Moon, S., Ko, K. P., Kim, I., Lee, J. E., & Park, S. K. (2021). Indoor Tanning and the Risk of Overall and Early-Onset Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers. 13(23), 5940. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/23/5940?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Chalcraft, J. R., Cardinal, L. M., Wechsler, P. J., Hollis, B. W., Gerow, K. G., Alexander, B. M., Keith, J. F., & Larson-Meyer, D. E. (2020). Vitamin D Synthesis Following a Single Bout of Sun Exposure in Older and Younger Men and Women. Nutrients. 12(8), 2237. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7468901/
4. Chambers, E. S., & Vukmanovic-Stejic, M. (2020). Skin Barrier Immunity and Ageing. Immunology. 160(2), 116–125. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/imm.13152
5. Garcovich, S., Colloca, G., Sollena, P., Andrea, B., Balducci, L., Cho, W. C., Bernabei, R., & Peris, K. (2017). Skin Cancer Epidemics in the Elderly as An Emerging Issue in Geriatric Oncology. Aging and Disease. 8(5), 643–661. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5614327/
6. Kang, H. Y., Lee, J. W., Papaccio, F., Bellei, B., & Picardo, M. (2021). Alterations of the Pigmentation System in the Aging Process. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. 34(4), 800–813. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pcmr.12994
7. Laconi, E., Marongiu, F., & DeGregori, J. (2020). Cancer As a Disease of Old Age: Changing Mutational and Microenvironmental Landscapes. British Journal of Cancer. 122(7), 943–952. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-019-0721-1
8. Li, K., Bi, W., Alli, S., Jeremian, R., Ahad, T., Lui, H., & Kalia, S. (2024). 298 Exposure level of UVB Phototherapy and Cutaneous Oncogenic Risk: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 144(8), S51. https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X%2824%2900763-2/fulltext?utm_source=chatgpt.com
9. Tang, X., Yang, T., Yu, D., Xiong, H., & Zhang, S. (2024). Current Insights and Future Perspectives of Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) Exposure: Friends and Foes to the Skin and Beyond the Skin. Environment International. 185, 108535. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024001211
10. Walker, H., Maitland, C., Tabbakh, T., Preston, P., Wakefield, M., & Sinclair, C. (2022). Forty Years of Slip! Slop! Slap! A Call to Action on Skin Cancer Prevention for Australia. Public Health Research & Practice. 32(1), 31452117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35290993/
11. Wunderlich, K., Suppa, M., Gandini, S., Lipski, J., White, J. M., & Del Marmol, V. (2024). Risk Factors and Innovations in Risk Assessment for Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers. 16(5), 1016. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10931186/

Author: Don Mehrabi

Don Mehrabi, MD, FAAD, is LA's leading board-certified dermatologist is the president of BHSkin Dermatology and proud father of 3 wonderful children. He treats patients in both Encino-Tarzana and Glendale. This blog builds on medical studies combined with Dr. Mehrabi's first-hand experiences from his practice.