actinic keratosis (pre-cancer)
If you’re dealing with the precancerous growths known as actinic keratosis, you’re not alone: It affects more than 58 million Americans today. At Annexus Dermatology & Aesthetics, the highly skilled board-certified providers offer the most effective and least invasive treatments for actinic keratosis, including Blu-U® photodynamic therapy. Book your appointment for expert compassionate care now by requesting online or calling the office.
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actinic keratosis (pre-cancer) Q&A
What is actinic keratosis?
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous growth that typically appears on your face or scalp, but it can also grow in an area where your skin is exposed to the sun. Usually, actinic keratosis growths appear in groups that look like scaly, rough, crusty patches. When an actinic keratosis growth initially appears, it’s usually so small that you can’t really see it. But, if you run your fingers across the skin you may notice a very rough texture. As actinic keratosis grows, it tends to get increasingly rougher, bumpy, and larger. Often, an actinic keratosis growth looks like a wart. Most actinic keratosis growths are pink or pink with tan/white.
Although actinic keratosis doesn’t always turn into cancer, it does have a chance of turning into squamous cell carcinoma, which is the second most common type of skin cancer. Because of that risk, it’s important to remove actinic keratosis when it appears.
how is actinic keratosis treated?
The board-certified dermatology care experts at Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics often treat actinic keratosis with photodynamic therapy called BLU-U®. The BLU-U treatment is a state-of-the-art light therapy solution. During BLU-U treatment, your Aspire Dermatology care provider applies a topical gel called Levulan®. The actinic keratosis growth absorbs the Levulan, making your skin cells in the affected area extra sensitive to light. Next, your care provider exposes the treated skin to the BLU-U light, triggering a reaction that kills the potentially cancerous skin cells.
what kind of aftercare is needed following bLU-U treatment?
You don’t have to take any medication or worry about long, drawn-out treatment regimens with BLU-U. Stay indoors during daylight hours for a minimum of 48 hours after your treatment. Aspire Dermatology patients have gotten great results from BLU-U treatment with excellent aesthetic ratings and no reports of scarring. Since the main cause of actinic keratosis is sun exposure, it’s important that you minimize exposure going forward. Use a good sunblock product on all exposed skin to protect yourself as much as possible.
Request an appointment online or call Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics to get state-of-the-art treatment for actinic keratosis now.
