Have you noticed rough, scaly patches on your face, scalp, or arms? Those could be actinic keratoses, or AKs. They are very common, especially if you have spent time in the sun. And while AKs themselves are not cancer, they can turn into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. At Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics in Cary, Dr. Zain Husain, MD offers effective, minimally invasive treatments to clear AKs and protect your skin. Patients from Durham, Morrisville, and Raleigh come to him for expert care.

A Word from Dr. Husain

“Actinic keratoses are like little warning signs from your skin. They are telling you that you have had enough sun damage to cause precancerous changes. The good news is that treating AKs is easy and highly effective. And when we treat them, we lower your risk of ever developing squamous cell carcinoma in those spots.”

Dr. Zain Husain, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist, Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics

What Is Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch of skin caused by years of sun exposure. UV radiation damages the DNA in your skin cells, causing them to grow abnormally. AKs are considered precancerous because about 5 to 10 percent of them will eventually turn into squamous cell carcinoma.

AKs most commonly appear on sun exposed areas like the face, ears, scalp (especially in men with thinning hair), back of the hands, forearms, and chest. Dr. Husain treats AKs every week in patients from Chapel Hill, Apex, and all over the Triangle.

What Do Actinic Keratoses Look Like?

AKs can look different from person to person. You might notice a rough, sandpaper like texture that feels different from surrounding skin. They often appear as red, pink, or brown patches that may be flat or slightly raised. Many AKs are easier to feel than to see. You might also notice crusting, scaling, or a hard, wart like surface. Some AKs come and go but always return in the same spot.

“If you run your finger over a spot and it feels like sandpaper, that is classic AK,” Dr. Husain says. “Don’t ignore it just because it doesn’t hurt.”

Who Gets Actinic Keratosis?

AKs are caused by cumulative sun exposure over your lifetime. You are at higher risk if you have fair skin, light hair, and light eyes, or if you have spent a lot of time outdoors for work or recreation. Tanning bed use significantly increases your risk, as does a history of frequent or blistering sunburns. AKs are most common in people over 40 because they take years to develop, but Dr. Husain has treated patients in their twenties who grew up playing outdoor sports without sunscreen.

Treatment Options for Actinic Keratosis at Noor Dermatology

Dr. Husain personalizes treatment based on how many AKs you have, where they are located, and your preferences.

Cryotherapy is the most common treatment for a few isolated AKs. Dr. Husain freezes the spots with liquid nitrogen. They blister, crust over, and fall off within a week or two. Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, is ideal for patients with multiple AKs on the face, scalp, or chest. He applies a photosensitizing solution, lets it absorb, then activates it with a special light. PDT treats a whole area at once and improves sun damage and skin texture as a bonus.

Topical medications are prescription creams or gels that you apply at home for a few weeks. They work well for patients with many AKs who prefer a non-procedural approach. For thicker, more stubborn AKs, Dr. Husain may recommend curettage and desiccation, where he scrapes off the AK and uses heat to destroy remaining cells. CO2 fractional laser resurfacing and medium depth chemical peels can treat widespread AKs while also improving skin tone and texture.

Dr. Husain will explain each option and help you choose what is right for you.

Prevention: Stop New AKs From Forming

Once you have had AKs, you are likely to develop more. But you can slow that down significantly by protecting your skin. Wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every single day, and wear a wide brimmed hat and UPF clothing when you are outside. Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and avoid tanning beds completely.

We carry a range of medical-grade sunscreens in our online store and at our Cary office.

 Browse our Sunscreen Collection →

Frequently Asked Questions About Actinic Keratosis

Q: Is actinic keratosis contagious?
No. AKs come from sun damage, not from an infection. You cannot spread them to another person.

Q: Do all actinic keratoses turn into cancer?
No. Only about 5 to 10 percent do. But there is no way to predict which ones will and which ones won’t. That is why Dr. Husain recommends treating them.

Q: Can I treat actinic keratosis at home?
No. Over the counter creams are not strong enough. You need a prescription or an in-office procedure.

Q: How often should I get checked for AKs?
If you have a history of AKs, Dr. Husain recommends a full body skin check every six to twelve months. He will also want to see you for spot treatments as new AKs appear.

Ready to Clear Your Actinic Keratoses?

If you have rough, scaly patches that are not going away, don’t wait for them to turn into something more serious.

Call our Cary office today or request an appointment online. Dr. Husain will examine your skin, recommend the best treatment for you, and help you protect your skin going forward.

 Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics – Cary, NC
Serving patients from Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Morrisville, Chapel Hill, and across the Triangle