Actinic keratosis is a crusty or scaly place arising in the skin. Spots could appear tan, pink, red, or all of these. Bumps could be dark or light or the same color as your skin. Skin lesions grow slowly over time to reach a size that is usually from a quarter to a half of an inch.

Lesions often appear on the face, ears, scalp, neck, backs of hands and forearms, and lips. If untreated, lesions can grow large and invade surrounding tissue cells and, on rare occasions, metastasize or spread into more serious forms of skin cancer. 

Actinic keratosis is considered one of the most common pre-cancerous skin lesions. Individuals with skin type I-III (light skinned) are most likely to develop actinic keratosis. The condition is directly related to sun exposure, and therefore is sometimes called "solar keratosis". In fact, fair-skinned individuals living in sunny climates have over 50 percent chance of developing actinic keratoses. Individuals aged 40 and more are at high risk, with more men affected by this common, pre-cancerous skin tumor than women. Furthermore, regardless of age, all individuals with blue eyes and or childhood freckling are at a higher risk for actinic keratosis.

As the individual ages, the areas of the skin with high sun exposure will be at risk to develop lesions, varying from a pinhead size to several centimeters in diameter. The best way to look for lesions is to palpitate (touch) the area, and feel for tenderness, as opposed to visually looking for the lesion. Some of the more common areas at risk include the face, back, hands, neck, chest, ears (in men), and upper back. The lesions have a scaly appearance, with a blotchy shape and a red color. Sometimes, the lesions may also have a skin color, which is why palpitating for the lesion is so important.

The best way to prevent actinic keratosis is to wear sunscreen and to try to avoid prolonged sun exposure. Youth should also have reduced exposure to sunlight during their childhood.

Actinic keratosis is pre cancerous, and therefore we recommend immediate treatment. The rate of transformation from skin lesion to skin cancer is debated, with approximately one in twenty-five individuals with actinic keratosis later reporting to have developed skin cancer. The good news is that there are many effective ways of treating actinic keratosis. Cryosurgery is a popular form of treatment, using liquid nitrogen to freeze single lesions. Cost: between $250 and $500. Lesions may reappear later, requiring additional treatment. 

Topical 5-fluorouracfil is another effective method used to treat multiple lesions. The medication is applied twice daily for three to four weeks. Normal skin is unaffected, and keratosis will erode away.

Burning and scarring is rare in either treatment.

NATURE'S Bioskincare is a non prescription alternative remedy that erodes mild actinic keratosis formations, with absolutely no side effects. It contains, in a natural bio-available form, seven of the most valued skin-care-ingredients, the cosmetic and dermatology industry has thrived to combine for a healthy and beautiful skin.

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