There's concern many younger New Zealanders are ignoring the skin cancer lessons of their elders.

Most new cases of skin cancer are among the elderly - many of whom sunbathed before the dangers of melanoma were known.

Dermatologist Louise Reiche says young Kiwis have the 'sunsmart' message drilled into them at primary school.

"Some of those keep up those habits particularly into their teen years.

"There are others who seem to just throw it all aside."

Louise Reiche says it's astounding sunbeds are still unregulated, despite New Zealand's very high skin cancer rates.