ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Many of us have probably baked in the sun in our lifetimes without being protected by sunscreen. That puts those of us who have at higher risk of skin cancer. Now, there's new technology that could offer new protection for those who need it most.

Ron Mercier has spent a lifetime in the sun. Lately, all that sun exposure has started to worry him. "My father died of cancer," he says. "I've had two bouts of lip cancer that have been surgically removed, and I'm in remission in that department."

To prevent any new cancer from popping up, Mercier joined a study on skin cancer. In it, researchers are studying a carbon dioxide laser. It's primarily used to treat wrinkles.

"Our hope is that the treatment will also make the skin healthier from a skin cancer prevention perspective," says cosmetic dermatologist Jeffrey Orringer, M.D., of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The laser works by resurfacing sun-damaged skin. That resurfacing could be the key to preventing skin cancer.

"The laser per se is not a diagnostic tool, but we did take skin samples -- or biopsies -- and stained the tissue. It is with that technique that we were able to detect these very early pre-cancerous changes," Dr. Orringer tells Ivanhoe. The combination could treat those precancerous changes in sun-damaged skin before they progress.

So far, the treatment's working for Mercier. He hopes other people will benefit from this laser too. "It may be a little altruistic, but it's something I feel if we all did a little something, it may have some impact down the road," he says. Doctors hope that's exactly what happens.

The current study is now completed. Dr. Orringer and his colleagues are now looking at an even less invasive laser procedure that works the same way as the carbon dioxide laser.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Jeffrey Orringer, M.D. Cosmetic Dermatology and Laser Center University of Michigan Health System (734) 615-0682