Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatment TypesSelf-CareSuccess RatesRecurrence Rates
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment Types
Self-Care
Success Rates
Recurrence Rates
Actinic keratosisis scaly or rough patches or bumps on the skin. While it’s considered common, it requires treatment because the cells in the patches of skin have the potential to turn into a type of skin cancer known assquamous cell skin cancer.
This article discusses the types of treatment available, at-home management techniques, and treatment success rates for actinic keratosis.
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Types of Actinic Keratosis Treatment
Sinceactinic keratosisis considered apre-cancerouscondition, treating it before the cells can become cancerous and spread to other areas of the body is crucial.
There are many treatments available, and a healthcare provider will choose the best one depending on several factors, including:
The therapies and treatments offered for actinic keratosis include:
Skin Cancer Symptoms
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments, such as creams and gels, often treat people with several actinic keratosis patches on their bodies. The ingredients used in the creams and gels most often include:
Sometimes, the skin can burn or become inflamed during treatment with creams or gels, but this is typically an indication that the medication is working. Of all the skin cream or gel ingredients, 5-fluorouracil is the most effective.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapyis the most common and effective treatment for actinic keratosis. It is most often recommended for people with single actinic keratosis lesions on the scalp or face. Some people may only need one treatment, but others require more to rid the skin of all the actinic keratosis.
Cryotherapy Cure RateCryotherapy is a first-line therapy because of its high success rate. Roughly 78.2% of people who try this technique for their actinic keratosis are cured of the condition.
Cryotherapy Cure Rate
Cryotherapy is a first-line therapy because of its high success rate. Roughly 78.2% of people who try this technique for their actinic keratosis are cured of the condition.
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Laser Therapy
While it’s not the primary therapy for the condition, it is becoming more popular because it is highly effective and can lead to less bleeding and other complications such as scarring or swelling.
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Curettage
Chemical Peels
Achemical peelfor actinic keratosis is not the same as those you can get at a spa. It is not cosmetic. The medical-grade peel used for actinic keratosis is designed to destroy the entire top layer of skin, taking the actinic keratosis with it.
Once the peel is completed, people will experience after-effects such as:
The chemical used in the peel is trichloroacetic acid. This type of treatment is recommended for people with less severe actinic keratosis or those who wish to spend less on their treatments as it is less costly than other therapies.
Who Should Not Get a Chemical Peel for Actinic Keratosis?This treatment is not recommended for people with:Warts on the affected areaA history of skin discolorationA history of skin scarring
Who Should Not Get a Chemical Peel for Actinic Keratosis?
This treatment is not recommended for people with:Warts on the affected areaA history of skin discolorationA history of skin scarring
This treatment is not recommended for people with:
Photodynamic Therapy
For people who have recurring actinic keratosis,photodynamic therapymay be recommended. The procedure is done in two steps. The first part of the treatment involves applying a solution to the skin, causing it to become hypersensitive to light. The solution sits on the affected area for 60 to 90 minutes.
Then, a red or blue light will be applied to the area to activate the solution, essentially destroying the actinic keratosis cells in the process. While this type of treatment is viable and effective, it does require you to remain inside for 48 hours following the procedure. The solution and light use can cause a severe skin reaction if exposed to UV light before the 48 hours have passed.
Self-Care and Home Management
At-home treatments use creams and gels to target actinic keratosis. Each person may require a different type of medication and process for applying.
There are several take-home prescribed topicals that can be used, including:
Can You Remove Actinic Keratosis Yourself?There is no way to remove actinic keratosis on your own at home. The only thing that will help to reduce it is topical prescriptions. Do not try to scrape off the actinic keratosis lesions yourself, as this can harm your skin.
Can You Remove Actinic Keratosis Yourself?
There is no way to remove actinic keratosis on your own at home. The only thing that will help to reduce it is topical prescriptions. Do not try to scrape off the actinic keratosis lesions yourself, as this can harm your skin.
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How Successful is Actinic Keratosis Treatment?
Each type of actinic keratosis treatment offers different success rates. They are broken down in the following chart:
Therapy TypeSuccess Rate5-fu cream80%IMQ cream52.7-55%Diclofenac gel41%Tirbanibulin49%Cryotherapy78.2%Chemical Peel81.7%Laser therapy92%Photodynamic therapy89-91%Curettage96%These rates are taken from various studies, and your personal experience may differ.How to Know Which Treatment to ChooseKnowing what treatment to choose can only occur after meeting with a specialist. They will determine which therapy will work best for you based on where your actinic keratosis is located and how severe it is. Some techniques are more invasive than others, so if your healthcare provider suggests something you are uncomfortable with, be sure to speak with them further about the risks and benefits of each treatment as it pertains to your specific case.Actinic Keratosis Recurrence After TreatmentEveryone treated for actinic keratosis will likely need to return to their dermatologist to follow up once treatment is done and to assess whether the lesions have returned. While treatment is highly effective at curing actinic keratosis, recurrence rates may change depending on the type of treatment. It is reported that actinic keratosis has an average recurrence rate of 24% 12 months after treatment.SummaryActinic keratosis isn’t a severe health disorder on its own, but it can turn into skin cancer if it is left untreated. That is why it’s vital to have it taken care of if you develop any patches or lesions. The varying treatments available will be used in specific cases, so not all will apply to you.For example, people with one lesion may be recommended cryotherapy, whereas those with many actinic keratosis lesions will be recommended other treatments, such as topical creams or ointments. Your personal case will determine the best therapy for you based on your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
These rates are taken from various studies, and your personal experience may differ.
How to Know Which Treatment to ChooseKnowing what treatment to choose can only occur after meeting with a specialist. They will determine which therapy will work best for you based on where your actinic keratosis is located and how severe it is. Some techniques are more invasive than others, so if your healthcare provider suggests something you are uncomfortable with, be sure to speak with them further about the risks and benefits of each treatment as it pertains to your specific case.
How to Know Which Treatment to Choose
Knowing what treatment to choose can only occur after meeting with a specialist. They will determine which therapy will work best for you based on where your actinic keratosis is located and how severe it is. Some techniques are more invasive than others, so if your healthcare provider suggests something you are uncomfortable with, be sure to speak with them further about the risks and benefits of each treatment as it pertains to your specific case.
Actinic Keratosis Recurrence After Treatment
Everyone treated for actinic keratosis will likely need to return to their dermatologist to follow up once treatment is done and to assess whether the lesions have returned. While treatment is highly effective at curing actinic keratosis, recurrence rates may change depending on the type of treatment. It is reported that actinic keratosis has an average recurrence rate of 24% 12 months after treatment.
Summary
Actinic keratosis isn’t a severe health disorder on its own, but it can turn into skin cancer if it is left untreated. That is why it’s vital to have it taken care of if you develop any patches or lesions. The varying treatments available will be used in specific cases, so not all will apply to you.
For example, people with one lesion may be recommended cryotherapy, whereas those with many actinic keratosis lesions will be recommended other treatments, such as topical creams or ointments. Your personal case will determine the best therapy for you based on your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Dianzani C, Conforti C, Giuffrida R, Corneli P, di Meo N, Farinazzo E, Moret A, Magaton Rizzi G, Zalaudek I.Current therapies for actinic keratosis.Int J Dermatol.2020 Jun;59(6):677-684. doi:10.1111/ijd.14767American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is there a best approach to widespread actinic keratosis?Arisi M, Guasco Pisani E, Calzavara-Pinton P, Zane C.Cryotherapy for actinic keratosis: Basic principles and literature review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Mar 5;15:357-365. doi:10.2147/CCID.S267190American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic Keratosis: Self-care.Tai F, Shah M, Pon K, Alavi A.Laser resurfacing monotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis.J Cutan Med Surg.2021 Nov-Dec;25(6):634-642. doi:10.1177/12034754211027515Ericson MB, Wennberg AM, Larkö O.Review of photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2008 Feb;4(1):1-9.Del Regno L, Catapano S, Di Stefani A, Cappilli S, Peris K.A review of existing therapies for actinic keratosis: Current status and future directions.Am J Clin Dermatol.2022 May;23(3):339-352. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00674-3Xiaoqin Y, Chan H, Long W, Yuting X, Keyal U, Guolong Z, Peiru W, Xiuli W.Dermoscopic monitoring for treatment and follow-up of actinic keratosis with 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy.Technol Cancer Res Treat.2018 Dec 25;17:1533033818820091. doi:10.1177/1533033818820091
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Dianzani C, Conforti C, Giuffrida R, Corneli P, di Meo N, Farinazzo E, Moret A, Magaton Rizzi G, Zalaudek I.Current therapies for actinic keratosis.Int J Dermatol.2020 Jun;59(6):677-684. doi:10.1111/ijd.14767American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is there a best approach to widespread actinic keratosis?Arisi M, Guasco Pisani E, Calzavara-Pinton P, Zane C.Cryotherapy for actinic keratosis: Basic principles and literature review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Mar 5;15:357-365. doi:10.2147/CCID.S267190American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic Keratosis: Self-care.Tai F, Shah M, Pon K, Alavi A.Laser resurfacing monotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis.J Cutan Med Surg.2021 Nov-Dec;25(6):634-642. doi:10.1177/12034754211027515Ericson MB, Wennberg AM, Larkö O.Review of photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2008 Feb;4(1):1-9.Del Regno L, Catapano S, Di Stefani A, Cappilli S, Peris K.A review of existing therapies for actinic keratosis: Current status and future directions.Am J Clin Dermatol.2022 May;23(3):339-352. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00674-3Xiaoqin Y, Chan H, Long W, Yuting X, Keyal U, Guolong Z, Peiru W, Xiuli W.Dermoscopic monitoring for treatment and follow-up of actinic keratosis with 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy.Technol Cancer Res Treat.2018 Dec 25;17:1533033818820091. doi:10.1177/1533033818820091
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Dianzani C, Conforti C, Giuffrida R, Corneli P, di Meo N, Farinazzo E, Moret A, Magaton Rizzi G, Zalaudek I.Current therapies for actinic keratosis.Int J Dermatol.2020 Jun;59(6):677-684. doi:10.1111/ijd.14767American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is there a best approach to widespread actinic keratosis?Arisi M, Guasco Pisani E, Calzavara-Pinton P, Zane C.Cryotherapy for actinic keratosis: Basic principles and literature review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Mar 5;15:357-365. doi:10.2147/CCID.S267190American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic Keratosis: Self-care.Tai F, Shah M, Pon K, Alavi A.Laser resurfacing monotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis.J Cutan Med Surg.2021 Nov-Dec;25(6):634-642. doi:10.1177/12034754211027515Ericson MB, Wennberg AM, Larkö O.Review of photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2008 Feb;4(1):1-9.Del Regno L, Catapano S, Di Stefani A, Cappilli S, Peris K.A review of existing therapies for actinic keratosis: Current status and future directions.Am J Clin Dermatol.2022 May;23(3):339-352. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00674-3Xiaoqin Y, Chan H, Long W, Yuting X, Keyal U, Guolong Z, Peiru W, Xiuli W.Dermoscopic monitoring for treatment and follow-up of actinic keratosis with 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy.Technol Cancer Res Treat.2018 Dec 25;17:1533033818820091. doi:10.1177/1533033818820091
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: Diagnosis and treatment.
Dianzani C, Conforti C, Giuffrida R, Corneli P, di Meo N, Farinazzo E, Moret A, Magaton Rizzi G, Zalaudek I.Current therapies for actinic keratosis.Int J Dermatol.2020 Jun;59(6):677-684. doi:10.1111/ijd.14767
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is there a best approach to widespread actinic keratosis?
Arisi M, Guasco Pisani E, Calzavara-Pinton P, Zane C.Cryotherapy for actinic keratosis: Basic principles and literature review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Mar 5;15:357-365. doi:10.2147/CCID.S267190
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic Keratosis: Self-care.
Tai F, Shah M, Pon K, Alavi A.Laser resurfacing monotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis.J Cutan Med Surg.2021 Nov-Dec;25(6):634-642. doi:10.1177/12034754211027515
Ericson MB, Wennberg AM, Larkö O.Review of photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2008 Feb;4(1):1-9.
Del Regno L, Catapano S, Di Stefani A, Cappilli S, Peris K.A review of existing therapies for actinic keratosis: Current status and future directions.Am J Clin Dermatol.2022 May;23(3):339-352. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00674-3
Xiaoqin Y, Chan H, Long W, Yuting X, Keyal U, Guolong Z, Peiru W, Xiuli W.Dermoscopic monitoring for treatment and follow-up of actinic keratosis with 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy.Technol Cancer Res Treat.2018 Dec 25;17:1533033818820091. doi:10.1177/1533033818820091
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