All About Actinic Keratosis: Warning Signs, Treatment Options, and Prevention

Lately, you’ve noticed rough, scaly patches on your skin that don’t seem to go away. Now what? It could be actinic keratosis, a common skin condition caused by sun damage. While it may seem harmless at first, it can be an early warning sign of skin cancer.

This month, Drs. Seth and Matt Goodman at Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery share all things related to actinic keratosis, including what to look for, how it’s treated, and how to prevent it.

What is actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin growth caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from either the sun or tanning beds. These lesions form when UV damage causes abnormal skin cell growth.

Common warning signs to watch for

Because these lesions are caused by UV exposure, they most often appear on areas of your body that get the most sun exposure. This includes your face, scalp, ears, neck, hands, and forearms.

You may notice:

Rough, dry, or scaly patches that feel like sandpaper
Flat or slightly raised spots that may be pink, red, tan, or brown
Lesions that itch, burn, or feel tender
Areas that crust, flake, or bleed after irritation

Actinic keratosis lesions can be easier to feel than see, so pay special attention to changes in your skin texture.

Also, some of these symptoms can overlap with other types of skin cancer. For example, melanoma can sometimes appear as a bleeding or non-healing lesion as well. This is why any concerning spot should be evaluated right away.

Why actinic keratosis should be treated

Even though actinic keratosis is considered precancerous, it also signals that your skin has sustained significant sun damage. Treating actinic keratosis early reduces the risk of progression to skin cancer and helps prevent additional lesions from developing in the same area.

While not every actinic keratosis turns into cancer, some can progress into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells, which are the flat cells that make up the outer layer of the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for one million skin cancer diagnoses each year, and they’ve increased by 200% in the last 30 years.

Treatment options for actinic keratosis

Even if you have a precancerous spot or two, there are plenty of treatment options to explore.

Your treatment depends on the number of lesions, their location, and your overall skin health. You don’t have to sort through your options alone, though. Your Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery dermatologist recommends the most effective option for you.

Common treatments for actinic keratosis include:

Cryotherapy to freeze and destroy abnormal cells
Topical prescription medications that target damaged skin cells
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), also known as “red or blue light therapy”, to treat larger areas of sun damage with light-activated medicine
Surgical removal for thicker or suspicious lesions

The long-term risk of skin cancer after treatment for actinic keratosis is low (about 3.7% over four years), but research shows that people with more severe lesions (grade III or higher) may benefit from closer follow-up.

In these higher-risk cases, where the chance can rise above 20%, regular skin checks help Drs. Goodman monitor your healing, catch any other changes early, and guide additional treatment when needed.

How to reduce your risk and prevent future lesions

While past sun damage can’t be undone, you can take steps to protect your skin moving forward.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day
Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses outdoors
Avoid tanning beds and intentional sun exposure
Schedule regular skin exams, especially if you’ve had precancerous changes before

Don’t skip your sunscreen on cloudy days. An estimated 80% of harmful UV rays can still penetrate the clouds, which is why the American Academy of Dermatologists recommends using SPF 30 every day.

When to see a dermatologist

If you notice a new rough patch, a spot that won’t heal, or a lesion that changes in size, color, or texture, it’s time to get it checked.

Schedule a skin exam with Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery to get answers, expert care, and peace of mind.

Call (623) 254-7375 or click here to book at our Sun City, Sun City West, and Wickenburg, Arizona, locations.