Actinic Keratosis
Get the treatment you need at Riverchase Dermatology.
Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a common precancerous growth that occurs when the skin has been damaged by ultraviolet rays from chronic sun exposure or indoor tanning. If left untreated, actinic keratosis — or the plural, actinic keratoses — may progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The good news is that AKs can be treated by a Riverchase provider before they become skin cancers.
Actinic Keratosis FAQs
AKs most commonly occurs on sun-exposed areas, including the face, ears, scalp, neck, foreheads, and backs of hands. They are pink-red in color and the spots may feel rough and dry.
People who have fair skin, light hair and/or eyes are at greater risk of developing actinic keratosis. They are also common in older people who have been in the sun more. A history of tanning, sunburns, and/or immunosuppression will also increase your risk of actinic keratosis.
Actinic keratosis is caused by excessive exposure to the sun or to indoor tanning. The ultraviolet rays damage the skin, causing unsightly lesions that can develop into cancer.
Actinic Keratosis Treatment Options
Your Riverchase dermatologist will likely be able to diagnose actinic keratosis by its characteristic appearance, but in some cases, a biopsy is needed to evaluate whether the actinic keratosis has progressed into a skin cancer. Precursor lesions which may progress into squamous cell carcinoma occur in up to 10% of cases and need to be treated.
Depending on the location, size and number of actinic keratosis you have, there are several different treatment options available.
- One of the more common treatments for actinic keratosis is cryotherapy, or freezing individual lesions with liquid nitrogen.
- There are also topical treatments such as chemotherapy cream, which prevents cancerous cells from multiplying.
- Topical immune modulators such as imiquimod can also be used to prevent the growth of cancerous cells.
- Chemical peels are another treatment option, using a powerful acid to remove skin cells. Chemical peels are primarily used for rejuvenation, but strong peels can be used to remove the entire upper layer of the skin, instantly removing the lesion. Side effects from peels can be temporarily pain and unsightly skin patches. Ask during your Riverchase consultation if this is an appropriate treatment for you.
