Skin Cancer Treatment Available at Southlake Dermatology

You may not be familiar with the term, actinic keratosis, but you should be. Actinic keratosis is the most common precancer and it affects more than 58 million Americans. Also known as solar keratosis, it is a scaly or crusty growth that occus on sun exposed areas of the skin. It most often appears on the bald scalp, face, ears, lips, backs of the hands and forearms, shoulders, neck or any other areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun. If left untreated, it can transform into squamous cell carcinoma that requires excision to treat and can have a potential to spread to the lymph nodes. This condition is prevalent in Texas because of the high amount of sun exposure. However, overexposure to tanning beds or other industrial chemicals can also cause actinic keratosis to form.

Actinic keratosis can be detected by any unusual or changing growths visible on the face or skin. They may appear red by sight, but can also be light, dark tan, pink or any combination of these. Actinic keratosis often produces a pricking or tender sensation to the tough and can become inflamed or surrounded by redness.
Detect and Treat Actinic Keratosis at Southlake Dermatology

Southlake Dermatology offers the most advanced technology and treatments to help treat acitinic keratosis. Often, we can apply a simple chemical peel to the affected area which has great success with much less downtime than the topical creams that are available. Although Effudex, Carac, Aldara and Zyclara are effective for treatment, they leave patients with intense redness that is often painful.

Actinic keratosis treatment at Southlake Dermatology may also include photodynamic therapy (PDT), in which a strong light that activates topical 5 aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is put on the medicated area destroying the formed growth. Southlake Dermatology was the first in Tarrant County to offer PDT and the response for this alternative treatment for the face and scalp has been successful. According to Dr. Angela Bowers-Plott, a certified dermatologist and founder of Southlake Dermatology, the best time of year to treat actinic keratosis with PDT is in winter or spring,

By offering the most advanced technology available, patients experience much less painful after effects allowing for quicker downtimes in order to return to normal daily activities faster.

For more information on actinic keratosis treatments in Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville, call Southlake Dermatology to schedule an appointment.
How to Prevent Actinic Keratosis

The best way to prevent actinic keratosis is to protect yourself from the sun. Here are some sun-safety habits that really work:
Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Do not burn.
Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.