Actinic Keratosis Treatment

Actinic Keratosis: What You Need to Know & How to Treat It

Your skin has a way of keeping score—every hour in the sun, every skipped sunscreen application, every time you thought, “It’s just a little sunburn, no big deal.” Over time, all that UV exposure adds up, and actinic keratosis is your skin’s way of waving a red flag.

These dry, scaly patches can show up on your face, scalp, chest, arms, hands, or legs—the places that soak up the most sun. At first, they might seem like nothing more than rough skin, but here’s the catch: while not always cancerous, actinic keratoses can develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a serious form of skin cancer.

The good news? Catching actinic keratoses early makes all the difference, which is why a Yearly Skin Exam is essential for prevention and early detection. With the right treatment, you can remove them before they become a bigger problem and take steps to protect your skin moving forward.

At Biltmore Dermatology, we provide advanced, effective treatments to remove actinic keratoses and safeguard your long-term skin health.

What Does Actinic Keratosis Look & Feel Like?

Actinic keratoses start small but can be rough, scaly, or crusty to the touch. They often appear in shades of red, pink, or brown and can feel:

• Flat or slightly raised
• Dry, rough, or sandpaper-like
• Itchy, burning, or tender
• Crusty or prone to bleeding when scratched

Because they can mimic other skin conditions, it is important to have them checked by a dermatology-certified provider to ensure they don’t progress toward skin cancer.

What Causes Actinic Keratosis?

Too much sun exposure. Whether it’s years of outdoor activities, daily sun exposure without protection, or tanning bed use, UV damage adds up over time. Even if you don’t burn easily, sun exposure still triggers DNA changes in skin cells, leading to actinic keratoses and an increased risk of skin cancer.

The most common risk factors include:

• Cumulative sun exposure over time
• History of sunburns or frequent outdoor activity
• Fair skin, light hair, or freckles (higher sensitivity to UV damage)
• Tanning bed use (artificial UV exposure speeds up damage)
• Weakened immune system (less ability to repair sun damage)

If you've spent years in the sun without protection, your skin could already be developing actinic keratoses—even if you can’t see them yet.

How Do We Treat Actinic Keratoses?

At Biltmore Dermatology, we offer advanced treatments to remove actinic keratoses and prevent them from becoming cancerous. The best treatment option depends on the size, number, and severity of your AKs.

Common & Effective Treatments Include:

• Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen): Freezes the damaged cells so they peel away, allowing healthy skin to regenerate.
• Prescription Topical Medications: Treatments like Efudex (Fluoroplex) to help clear widespread or recurring actinic keratoses.

Each approach is fast, effective, and designed to protect your skin from further damage.

How to Prevent Actinic Keratoses from Returning

Once you’ve had actinic keratoses, your skin is more likely to develop new ones over time—unless you take steps to protect yourself from UV exposure.

Here’s how to lower your risk and keep your skin healthy:

• Wear sunscreen every day (SPF 30+) – Even on cloudy days, UV exposure adds up.
• Use sun-protective clothing & hats – Cover exposed areas when spending time outdoors.
• Stop using tanning beds – They greatly increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Schedule regular skin checks – Keep an eye on any new or changing spots and follow up with a dermatology provider.

Taking these steps isn’t just about preventing actinic keratoses—it’s about lowering your skin cancer risk for life.

When to See a Dermatology Provider

If you have a rough, scaly spot that isn’t going away, or if you’ve had multiple actinic keratoses in the past, it’s time to see a dermatology-certified provider.

Actinic keratoses won’t go away on their own. They need professional treatment to remove damaged skin cells and prevent progression to skin cancer.

Contact us to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward protecting your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions