Actinic keratoses are patches of rough, dry or scaly skin caused by long-term sun damage. They are commonly observed on sites that are exposed to frequent sunlight such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, chest, forearms and hands.
We offer private assessment and treatment of suitable actinic keratoses. We will carefully examine the area to assess whether removal or another treatment option is appropriate.
Actinic keratoses are usually not serious, but they are a sign of sun damage and can sometimes develop into a type of skin cancer if not treated. Assessment is important for this reason, particularly when the patch is changing, thickening, bleeding or becoming painful.
A clinician can assist in confirming whether the lesion looks consistent with actinic keratosis or whether further investigation is needed prior to treatment.
Actinic keratoses can vary from person to person in appearance and feel. Some are more obvious, some are more felt than seen. You might observe:
Your clinician will consider the appearance, texture and history of the lesion when making treatment recommendations.
Before treating any actinic keratosis, your clinician will look closely at the lesion. This might include asking how long it has been there, if it has changed, if it bleeds, and if you have a history of skin cancer or significant sun exposure.
If the lesion looks unusual or there is any concern, treatment may not be done immediately. Your clinician may recommend referral, biopsy or specialist dermatology review to ensure the safest pathway is taken.
The treatment depends on the number, size, thickness and location of the actinic keratoses. Some have one isolated lesion and others have several patches on an area of sun-damaged skin.
Treatment may involve cryotherapy to freeze it off, surgical removal if the lesion is thicker or prescription creams to treat larger areas of affected skin. Your clinician will tell you which option is best for your skin and why.
Cryotherapy is the most common treatment for individual actinic keratoses. This involves freezing the affected area, which results in the treated skin blistering, crusting and gradually peeling off as it heals.
Treatment is usually quick but the area may feel sore, sting or become red afterwards. Your clinician will advise you what is expected in the healing of the skin, and what after-care you will need at home.
If there are multiple actinic keratoses or a larger area of sun damage, sometimes it may be more appropriate to use a topical treatment rather than removing one patch at a time. These creams treat abnormal cells caused by sun damage over a larger area.
In some cases specialist treatments may be recommended, for example photodynamic therapy or care led by a dermatologist. Your clinician will advise you on the look of the lesions and the safest route of treatment.
Healing depends on the treatment used and the area being treated. The skin may look red, sore, crusted or scabbed for a short time after treatment. Aftercare can include:
If there is more pain, swelling or discharge, please call the clinic. We will advise you what to expect and when to seek advice.
One part of the care is treating actinic keratoses. These lesions are connected to sun damage so ongoing skin protection is vital to reduce the likelihood of more patches appearing.
Your clinician may advise you to use sunscreen regularly, wear protective clothing, avoid strong midday sun and examine your skin for any new or changing lesions. This is particularly true if you have light coloured skin, a history of sunburn or past skin lesions.
There are some skin changes that must be quickly reviewed and not treated as a routine lesion. This may be rapid growth, bleeding that continues, ulceration, increasing pain, a hard lump or a patch that looks very different from your other skin marks.
If your clinician has any concerns during your appointment, they may recommend further assessment before removal.
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