Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis

An actinic keratosis is a pre-cancer. These lesions are very treatable if detected early, but if left untreated can change into a skin cancer called a squamous cell carcinoma. These lesions are best detected by their feel. They are small, scaly rough spots that feel like sand paper and are common on the head, neck and arms. There are a few different treatment options for actinic keratoses and your Dermatologist will determine which treatment is best for you. A new treatment for the removal of actinic keratosis is Photodynamic therapy.  We paint a drug on your skin, called Levulan Kerastick Topical Solution, and then after letting the drug incubate for at least an hour, you sit under a blue wavelength light to activate the drug.  Once activated, the drug destroys the pre-skin cancer lesions.  Click here for more information on the Photodynamic therapy.  Click here for more information on Actinic Keratoses.