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Actinic Keratosis Specialist

Ali Hendi, MD Our Services Actinic Keratosis

Ali Hendi, MD

Skin Cancer Specialists & Mohs Surgeons located in Chevy Chase, MD

If you notice new and scaly patches on your skin, you may have a type of precancer called actinic keratosis. If you're concerned about suspicious growths, rely on skin cancer specialists Ali Hendi, MD in Chevy Chase, Maryland, for the latest advances in skin cancer detection and treatment. They offer FDA-approved medications and quick in-office procedures to free you from precancerous growths. We proudly serve the Washington, DC/DMV and the surrounding areas including: Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Potomac, PG County, Baltimore County, Arlington, Mclean, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Chantilly, Alexandria, and Fairfax. Call the office of Ali Hendi, MD today for a medical evaluation of actinic keratosis.

Actinic Keratosis

What is actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common precancerous skin growth. Estimates suggest that more than 40 million Americans are diagnosed with these growths annually. 

Actinic keratosis occurs from repeated exposure to the sun. Without proper sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, the sun's rays damage your skin. Over time, sun damage builds up, often causing precancerous changes to your skin.

What does actinic keratosis look like?

Actinic keratoses often appear to be harmless. These growths can look like an age spot, pimple, or patch of irritated skin. The growths come in many colors, such as:

  • Red or pink
  • Brown
  • Gray
  • Skin-colored
  • Yellow
  • White

Actinic keratosis may feel tender to the touch or stick to your clothing. In some cases, you may experience burning, stinging, itching, or bleeding of the growth.

If you have a growth on your upper or lower lip, it may feel like you have chapped lips that don’t respond to topical moisture. This symptom can be extremely aggravating. 

How is actinic keratosis treated?

You have several treatment options for actinic keratosis. If you have several actinic keratoses, your provider may write you a prescription for an FDA-approved topical medication that you can use at home.

Apart from treating actinic keratosis, medication offers the added benefit of eliminating actinic keratoses that you can't see yet. It also may reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

If you only have a single actinic keratosis, your provider typically suggests treatments such as freezing, surgical removal, or light therapy. Your provider performs these therapies at the office of Ali Hendi, MD. You may need one or two treatment sessions, depending on the size of the actinic keratosis.

If an actinic keratosis is bothering you and you’re worried about skin cancer, call the skin cancer specialists at the office of Ali Hendi, MD today.

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