Tanning has led to skin cancer soaring by 36,000 cases in five years and malignant melanoma is now the fastest growing type of cancer in young people.
In 2007, 87,685 people had surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy following diagnosis. But by 2011 annual hospital admissions hit 123,808, a 41% increase.
Experts blame the explosion on young people spending more time than ever desperately trying to get a tan, and sun-seeker package holidays in the 60s.
Public Health England skin cancer expert Julia Verne said: “Malignant melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in young people.
"This is a real concern. But rates are also rising fast in older men.”
UK skin cancer death rates are among some of the worst in the world and are the most common form of cancer in England, with more cases than all other types of cancers combined.
Johnathon Major, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “As holidays to sunny locations become cheaper and tanned skin remains a desirable fashion statement, we have an inevitable increase – and associated national health and financial burden.
“More must be done to communicate to the public the serious risks associated with unmediated sun exposure.”
The study, presented at the World Congress of Cancers of the Skin in Edinburgh today, also found the overall cost of treating skin cancer had rocketed to more than £95million.
The 123,808 admissions in England in 2011 included both non melanoma and malignant melanoma.
The majority of cases were non melanoma, but an exact breakdown was not available. Melanoma spreads faster in the body.
And malignant melanoma is now the fifth most common cancer in Britain, killing 2,000 people a year.
Macmillan Cancer Support chief medical officer Prof Jane Maher said: “Today’s figures are a clear warning the public is still not taking the risks seriously enough.
“What makes this even more alarming is that the disease is largely preventable, yet UK skin cancer death rates are amongst some of the worst in the world.”
Most people diagnosed with skin cancer in England are 60 and over.
But hundreds of people a year are also being told they have the disease in their 20s and 30s.
Cases of melanoma have increased by 12% every year in men aged 60 and over in the last two decades.
Older women have the next highest rate of increase.
In all, more than 13,000 people a year develop this type of the disease, compared to just 1,800 in 1975.
The annual total is predicted to top 20,000 by 2027.
Surgery is the main treatment, removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.
Other treatments include cryotherapy, creams, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Figures, collated by senior researchers at Public Health England, do not include treatment in outpatient units or by GPs.