SUN DAMAGED SKIN AND PRECANCEROUS SPOTS

What are Pre Cancerous Lesions?

These are scaly looking spots with redness around them. They often can progress to skin cancers if they are not treated. They are called Actinic Keratoses or AKs. Other than skin cancers they are the most severe manifestation of overexposure to the sun or sun damaged skin.

What is Sun damaged Skin?

These are less severe manifestations of over or chronic exposure to the sun. These can include blotchy new areas of redness and hyper pigmented areas (brown patches), fine lines, changes in skin texture, tone and skin laxity.

What can be done for Sun Damaged Skin?

First one should arrest further damaging the skin by the sun. This can be done by avoiding the sun entirely during the most intense hours or at least limiting the length of exposure to the sun in peak hours. Any exposure should be further limited by wearing a wide brimmed hat, and long sleeves if feasible. Sun screens should be used religiously and fluid intake should be augmented during peak exposures. Avoiding or limiting alcohol, caffeine and nicotine is also very helpful.

What Treatments are Available for Sun Damaged Skin and Actinic Keratoses?

There are various treatments to get rid of individual spots or lesions. Cancerous or suspicious lesions should be biopsied and treated accordingly. Precancerous lesions can be treated with varying degrees of success with various creams and liquid nitrogen applications. Brown spots can sometimes be bleached with creams or reduced with light sources like IPLs. Fine lines, textural changes, laxity and redness can be treated with a pulse dye laser (See section on this site for treatment of Rosacea and Facial Rejuvenation)

Is There Any Treatment that will help Sun Damaged Skin and Actinic Keratoses?

Yes, it is called Photodynamic Therapy.