Actinic Keratosis

  • Decades of sun exposure whether from work, farming, boating, or just enjoying life outdoors, can leave lasting marks on your skin. We'll do a thorough skin check, identify and treat any concerning spots before they become a bigger problem, with a plan that fits your skin and your life.

  • Actinic keratoses (AK) are rough, scaly patches of skin caused by years of sun damage. They are considered precancerous lesions, meaning they have the potential to develop into skin cancer if left untreated.

  • AKs form from cumulative UV damage to skin cells over many years. They're most common on sun-exposed areas including the face, ears, scalp, forearms, and hands. The risk for developing AKs increases with age, fair skin, and a history of loving the outdoors.

  • Options include cryotherapy (freezing), topical chemotherapy or immune-response creams, photodynamic therapy, and chemical peels. We'll discuss matching the appropriate approach to how many spots you have, where they are, and your lifestyle.

  • Around 60 years old is good time to start having regular skin checks - sooner if you’ve experienced significant sun exposure. Any new, rough, or persistent scaly patch - especially one that's tender, bleeding, or not healing - should be checked promptly. Because actinic keratoses can progress to skin cancer, we recommend regular skin checks if you have significant sun exposure history, even without an obvious spot.