What is Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic Keratosis is a dry, scaly, rough bump that is typically anything from skin-colored to reddish-brown. Actinic keratosis can also be referred to as “solar keratoses” or “sun spots.” Fair-skinned people are more susceptible, and actinic keratosis tends to appear on skin that receives the most sun such as the forehead, ears, neck, arms, hands, lower lip, a bald scalp and lower legs. No matter where actinic keratosis develops, it is considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer. Actinic keratoses may be removed by liquid nitrogen—a simple, quick and rather painless treatment in which the area is frozen off—but if you have many actinic keratoses, additional treatment options may include photodynamic laser therapy, chemical peels, or prescription creams.