How to Prevent Scarring from Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a skin lesion most often caused by over-exposure to the sun. It grows slowly and usually appears in older adults. Although usually not life-threatening, if left untreated it can form unsightly lesions, cause scarring and develop into cancer. Several treatment methods are available for actinic keratosis. Some are more likely to leave permanent scarring than others, but which treatment you opt for depends on how many lesions you have and how soon you get them treated.
Instructions
-
-
1
Visit your doctor if you notice a small patch of rough, scaly skin, or a lesion, forming. Getting treatment quickly is one of the best ways to prevent permanent scarring.
-
2
Talk to your doctor about the best forms of treatment. Topical creams containing fluorouracil or imiquimod can be an effective treatment if the actinic keratosis is treated early enough. The creams will cause the treated area to become unsightly (red and crusty) for several weeks, but they stop the cell growth in the lesion, causing it to disappear. The skin usually regains its smooth appearance after healing.
-
-
3
Explore treatment using freezing, photodynamic therapy or chemical peeling. All are effective treatments for actinic keratosis, although chemical peeling may not be covered by medical insurance. These treatments are less likely to result in permanent changes to the skin than other treatments, such as laser therapy. Laser therapy can result in a loss of pigmentation in the treated area, particularly in people with darker skin tones.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The best way to prevent scarring from actinic keratosis is to prevent it from occurring by limiting your exposure to the sun and using sunscreen.
References
- Photo Credit Andrew Bret Wallis/Photodisc/Getty Images
