Quick Look at an Important Subject: Actinic (Solar) Keratosis

I have clients, mainly men, who come in from time to time with small, hard patches of crusty skin on the top of their head. These textured, many times skin colored bumps are called Actinic or Solar Keratosis.

I decided to do this quick blog post because I see these on a fairly regular basis and they MUST be checked out immediately by a dermatologist.

Actinic Keratosis is a pre-malignant cancer, that occurs mostly in lighter skinned people who experience repeated, unprotected exposure to the sun . These spots are small, tough, and measures between 2 – 6 mm in diameter, usually reddish in color and rough in texture. Actinic keratoses, if left unchecked, can easily lead to cancer.

What You Can Do

The best way to prevent actinic keratosis is to protect yourself from the sun. Here are some sun-safety habits that really work.

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Do not let yourself get burned.
• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Look for sunscreens that contain zinc and titanium.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

And most importantly, if you think you have actinic keratosis see a doctor immediately!

This post was written by Brandon