Actinic keratoses are small, thickened lesions commonly occurring on sun exposed areas including the face, ears, scalp, trunk, arms and legs. These lesions are important because they are a precursor to skin cancer. Often, you may notice a "roughness" on your face or hands that is persistent. It is important to recognize and treat actinic keratoses as early as possible to prevent progression to skin cancer, most commonly squamous cell carcinoma.
At Dermatology & Laser Center of Charleston, numerous treatment options are available, both conventional and advanced. We use a combination of topical, laser and light source therapies to treat these areas effectively and safely. Using our advanced photodynamic therapy techniques, through a combination of a sensitizing medication and intense pulsed light or blue light, approximately three treatment sessions can be used to eliminate many actinic keratoses over a wide area such as the entire face. Treatment of actinic keratoses in this manner has been shown to reduce the production of new lesions in the treated areas and helps prevent the onset of skin cancer.
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