Actinic Keratoses Explained
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin condition caused by years of sun exposure. It often appears as a rough, dry, or scaly spot on areas that get a lot of sun, such as the face, scalp, ears, hands, and forearms.
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin condition caused by years of sun exposure. It often appears as a rough, dry, or scaly spot on areas that get a lot of sun, such as the face, scalp, ears, hands, and forearms.
AKs can look pink, red, tan, brown, or similar to your natural skin color. Sometimes you may notice the rough texture before you can clearly see the spot.
Most actinic keratoses do not become cancer, but some can develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. That’s why it’s important to have new, changing, painful, bleeding, or thickened spots checked by a healthcare professional.
Treatment can remove existing AKs and may help prevent them from progressing. Depending on your skin and the number and location of spots, treatment may include freezing the area, prescription creams, light-based treatment, or other procedures.
Protecting your skin from the sun is also important. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, wear protective clothing and hats, seek shade when possible, and avoid tanning beds.
Have a skin spot checked by a healthcare professional if it is new, changing, growing, painful, bleeding, crusting, or not healing. A spot that becomes noticeably thicker, develops a sore or ulcer, or looks different from your other spots should also be evaluated.
When in doubt, it’s better to have a concerning spot checked. Early evaluation can help identify skin cancer and other skin conditions when they are easier to treat.
Actinic keratoses can often be treated effectively, and your treatment plan will depend on the number, size, thickness, and location of the spots.
Common treatment options include:
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Cryotherapy: A healthcare professional freezes individual spots with liquid nitrogen. The treated area may blister or crust before healing.
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Prescription creams or gels: Medications such as 5-tyfluorouracil, imiquimod etc can treat visible and sometimes less-visible areas of sun-damaged skin.
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Photodynamic therapy: A medication is applied to the skin and activated with a specific light to treat actinic keratoses, often over a larger area.
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Removal procedures: Thicker or suspicious lesions may be removed using techniques such as curettage or a shave procedure. A biopsy may be performed when skin cancer needs to be ruled out.
Your dermatologist can recommend the approach that best fits your skin and the areas being treated. Regular skin checks and sun protection are also important, since new actinic keratoses can develop over time.
Start getting routine skin checks in your 20s, and have an annual skin exam if you have a family history of skin cancer. At home, check your skin once a month for new, changing, or unusual lesions . If you notice anything concerning, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist for evaluation.
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Michael Tee, MD, PhD
Clinical Director & Founder
Dr. Michael Tee focuses on helping patients manage a comprehensive range of skin conditions that can significantly impact daily comfort and confidence. He works extensively with patients experiencing skin changes during pregnancy, helping them navigate the complex dermatological shifts that occur during this important time. His practice also centers on mole evaluation and management, including atypical moles that require careful monitoring and assessment. Dr. Tee regularly treats patients dealing with acne, seborrheic dermatitis, and various forms of eczema, conditions that can affect both appearance and quality of life.