Often seen as a scaly growth on the face, scalp, ears, shoulders and back of the hands, actinic keratoses (AK) present as scaly lesions that are rough to touch. They can appear as pink, flesh or red lesions, and if not treated, can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Greenwich Point Dermatology is where medical dermatology, advanced surgical techniques, and cutting-edge cosmetic dermatology treatments meet to create a lifetime of healthy, beautiful skin. Our team of Board Certified Dermatologists are proud to offer treatments for actinic keratosis to patients in Greenwich, Stamford, and the neighboring communities in Fairfield County.
What is Actinic Keratosis?
Actinic Keratosis is a non-cancerous condition that is often characterized by rough, scaly, red patches of skin on the hands, face, arms, neck, and scalp. While actinic keratosis is not a cancerous condition within itself, it does have the potential to turn into squamous cell carcinoma over time. While this is a low risk, Dr. Sarah Dolder and her team may suggest you get it treated as early as possible to prevent further damage to the skin. You should make an appointment should you notice your actinic keratosis has started hardening, bleeding, or spreading at a fast pace.
What does Actinic Keratosis Look Like?
Actinic keratosis does not look very alarming, as it is often characterized by small, scaly patches of red skin. Although less common, some patients also report their actinic keratosis being brown, gray, tan, or pink. Actinic keratosis most often presents on the hands, face, arms, neck, and scalp, as these are the areas of the body that tend to get the most sun exposure throughout the year.
What Causes Actinic Keratosis?
The most common causes of actinic keratosis are sun exposure and long-term exposure to UV rays. Patients who are at a higher risk of developing actinic keratosis are over the age of 60, have a light skin tone and light eyes, have a tendency to sunburn easily, and have a past of sunburns throughout their life. Although less likely, some cases are actinic keratosis are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
How Much Do Treatments for Actinic Keratosis Cost?
The cost of actinic keratosis treatments at Greenwich Point Dermatology will vary depending on the type of service you receive and your health insurance plan. To get a better idea of how much your actinic keratosis treatment will cost, we encourage you to come in and see our team of Board Certified Dermatologists for a solution.
What Treatments are Available for Actinic Keratosis?
There is a wide range of treatment options available for actinic keratosis at Greenwich Point Dermatology, including:
- Liquid nitrogen
- Cryosurgery (freezing)
- Topical treatments
- Photodynamic therapy
- Laser therapy
- Chemical peels
To find out which treatment option is best for you and your actinic keratosis, we encourage you to come in and see our team of Board Certified Dermatologists for a solution. We are happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, assess your skin, and develop a fully personalized treatment plan to help you get your healthiest-looking and -feeling skin.
Dr. Sarah Dolder and the expert medical team at Greenwich Point Dermatology are proud to offer surgical and non-surgical dermatological services to residents of Stamford, Greenwich, and the surrounding areas of Fairfield County. Contact us to schedule your private consultation with our Board Certified Dermatologists.