A premalignant condition such as actinic keratosis can lead to something worse like a squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and usually affects areas that get the most exposure to the sun such as the face. You must have actinic keratosis removed to lower your risks of having skin cancer.
Keratinocytes, when damaged can cause actinic keratosis. The epidermis thickens, that’s why actinic keratosis appears to be bumpy and scaly. Keratin is the main component of our hair and nails, thus the term keratosis. This also contributes to actinic keratosis’ wart like appearance.
Actinic keratosis can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if it is left untreated. Squamous cells are easily damaged by UV rays because they are flat and thin. So, one may decide to have these actinic keratoses removed to avoid further danger of cancer.
The choices for treatments are broad, and it all depends on your preferences. Also know if you can afford the treatments, and also how severe your actinic keratosis is.
* Laser treatments could be the most effective but also a costly way of removing actinic keratosis. Specifically, CO2 and Er-YAG lasers are used for actinic keratosis.
Electrocautery employs electricity in burning of the actinic keratosis.
With the use of extremely low temperature to eliminate damaged cells, cryosurgery removes actinic keratosis. Typically, liquid nitrogen is used for this form of treatment.
5-flourouracil is a chemotherapy agent also used for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Efudex is an example of this: and this cream works by making abnormal cells absorb the fluorouracil which inhibits their reproduction. Healthy skin cells are not greatly affected since the abnormal cells absorb fluorouracil faster. With the use of this cream, many side effects can be experienced but you can be confident that the results are going to be good.
Aldara, or the generic name, imiquimod is an immune response modifier which can aid the removal of actinic keratosis. For the treatment to be effective, you had to be very determined despite the agony you will be suffering.
Actinic keratosis can be removed by these treatments effectively, but there are still other treatments available. Before you decide to go through these treatments, have a medical assessment first. You can be sure that your skin cancer risk is lowered if you have that actinic keratosis removed.
Remove age spot and keratosis at home in just 14 days. This powerful treatment eats away sun damaged skin cells and leaves healthy skin cells unharmed.