What are actinic keratoses (AKs)?
AKs are precancerous patches — or lesions — of skin. They appear on parts of
the body exposed to the sun. This includes the face, scalp, arms, or hands. They
can look rough, dry, or scaly. They range in color from tan to pink to skin-toned.
Who can get AKs?
Sunlight damages your skin. Over time, this damage may lead to AKs. Anyone can get AKs, but fair-skinned people
are most affected. Long-term sun exposure increases the chances of getting AKs. In fact, more than half
of older, fair-skinned people who have lived in hot, sunny areas have AKs.
Can AKs turn into skin cancer?
Yes. Reports suggest that up to 20% of AK lesions may transform into a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).*
In turn, this type of cancer can spread to deeper tissue. This is why it’s so important to treat AKs seriously and
as early as possible.
What are AK treatment options?
There are many options. Only your doctor can determine the appropriate therapeutic option for you.
Your doctor can prescribe topical creams like
Carac® to treat AKs. Other procedures, such as freezing the
lesion with liquid nitrogen, are another option.