Actinic Keratosis Treatment

Treating sun-damaged pre-cancerous skin lesions

Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches caused by years of UV exposure; left untreated they carry a risk of progressing to squamous cell carcinoma — our dermatologists provide safe and effective removal using the most appropriate technique for each lesion.

Treatment choice depends on lesion count, location and thickness: single lesions are typically treated with cryotherapy or curettage, while field cancerisation with multiple lesions responds well to photodynamic therapy or prescription topical agents.

Key Benefits

Removes pre-cancerous lesions before progression
Multiple treatment options tailored to lesion type
Prevents development of squamous cell carcinoma
Skin cancer surveillance provided alongside treatment

Is This Treatment Right For You?

Patients with rough, scaly sun-damaged skin patches
Those with a history of extensive sun exposure
Anyone referred or concerned about changing skin lesions

What to Expect

Dermatoscopy Examination

Lesions are examined with dermoscopy to confirm diagnosis and assess thickness.

Treatment Selection

Cryotherapy, topical field treatment or photodynamic therapy is selected.

Treatment Delivery

The chosen treatment is applied to individual or multiple lesions.

Follow-Up

Skin is reviewed at 3 months to confirm clearance and check for new lesions.

Recovery & Aftercare

Cryotherapy: treated area blisters and heals over 7–14 days; topical treatments cause inflammation for several weeks in the treatment field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do actinic keratoses always become skin cancer?

Not always — studies suggest around 5–10% of untreated lesions may progress to squamous cell carcinoma, which is why proactive treatment is recommended.

What sun protection should I use after treatment?

Daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+ is essential to prevent new lesions forming; sun-protective clothing is also strongly advised.