Medical Dermatology Treatment for Actinic Keratosis in Calabasas

Presenting as rough, scaly or crusty areas on the skin, actinic keratoses are precancerous lesions caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet light, including sunlight and tanning beds.

The scalp, face, ears, neck, upper chest, forearms and hands are most commonly affected.

Am I at risk for actinic keratosis?

There are a number of parameters that may make you more susceptible to the effects of actinic keratosis. Fair-skinned people with light-colored hair and eyes, those with challenged immune system, family history of skin cancer, high cumulative sun exposure or frequent burns, history of tanning bed use, and those who frequently freckle or burn from sunlight are particularly susceptible to the lesions

How a medical dermatologist in Calabasas can help you recognize actinic keratoses

Despite actinic keratoses having specific visible effects, it’s important to consult a certified medical dermatologist if you notice a section of skin that has a roughened texture, thickened growth, oozes and/or is discolored. Pigment changes can range from light pink or beige to brown, and size can vary from a tiny dot to the diameter of a nickel or larger. The only way to conclusively determine if your skin condition is actinic keratosis is to schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists in Calabasas.

Medical dermatology treatment options in Calabasas

A variety of skin cancer treatments are available for actinic keratoses, and our expert team under the guidance of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hal Weitzbuch will discuss the appropriate options for your particular condition. While some keratoses can be left untreated, dermatologists may biopsy overly large or thickened lesions to rule out skin cancer.

Here are some of the current actinic keratosis treatment options available in our Calabasas offices:

  • Cryotherapy freezes the lesion with liquid nitrogen to cause the lesion to blister and peel away.
  • Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) directs a strong Blue light at the damaged area that is pretreated with a light-sensitizing solution. The combined solution and light destroy the damaged cells.
  • Self-applied topical chemotherapy and anti-inflammatory creams destroy the damaged cells, and self-applied immunotherapy cream encourages the body's immune system to eliminate the precancerous lesions. The topical solutions are prescribed by our dermatologists.

Side effects and post-treatment expectations for actinic keratosis

Nearly all of these treatments options cause some redness, swelling or other temporary discolorations. Many of the treatments take a few days to a few weeks to eliminate the keratoses and heal. Sun protection is the best way to prevent these lesions.

The sooner you seek treatment at our Brilliance Dermatology, the sooner we can get your skin looking like it did before these lesions started growing. Contact our Brilliance Dermatology and let’s get to work reversing your sun damage, especially before any turn into skin cancer.

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(818) 446-1994

23501 Park Sorrento #216 Calabasas, CA 91302

1000 Newbury Rd. #180,Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

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