
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a dermatological skin condition that can feel like rough skin or consist of skin changes such as redness, raised areas of skin, or white and yellow scales. These skin changes can sometimes progress to become skin cancer. It is recommended that all actinic keratoses be treated since it is impossible to predict which of these precancerous lesions will develop into skin cancer.
Actinic keratosis is a dermatological skin condition that can feel like rough skin or consist of skin changes such as redness, raised areas of skin, or white and yellow scales. These skin changes can sometimes progress to become skin cancer. It is recommended that all actinic keratoses be treated since it is impossible to predict which of these precancerous lesions will develop into skin cancer.
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Actinic Keratosis Treatment at Shine MD
At Shine MD, we offer medical actinic keratosis treatments through our medical skin care clinic. These include liquid nitrogen treatments and medicated creams, as well as research-proven laser treatments.
Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen can be applied to individual spots during a visit to the clinic. This works best when only a few spots are present and the patient is not eager to treat an entire area, such as the face or arms. Mild redness, blistering, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation are common side effects associated with treatment.
Medicated Creams
Medicated creams aim to treat areas that have multiple spots of actinic keratosis and have diffuse signs of sun damage. These medications are formulated to selectively enter the abnormal cells and destroy them.
Efudex (5-Fluorouracil) is a patient led, home based treatment that is applied daily for 2-4 weeks. During treatment, the affected skin becomes red and scaly. After a period of time, you will see the areas of actinic keratosis or sun damage become more obvious. After this phase, the healing process occurs.
Metvix Photo Dynamic Therapy is an office-based cream application that is performed during the summer months. Prior to your appointment, the area will be pre-treated with a retinol cream for one week. On treatment day, the lesions of concern are gently scraped or roughened with a curette. Then, your care provider will apply sunscreen, followed by the medication Metvix (methylaminolevulinate). You will then be instructed to go outside and spend at least two hours in the daylight to activate the medication before returning home and washing the treated area.
You will be advised to avoid any sun exposure for 48 hours after the cream application. Depending on the extent of sun damage, two treatments may be performed one to two months apart. The healing phase varies depending on the extent of sun damage present. Some patients have extended drug coverage that will cover the cost of the medication. Clinic fees apply for administration and application.
Laser Based Treatments
Laser based treatments are effective at reducing the presence of abnormal sun-damaged cells. Patients who are seeking overall facial rejuvenation, pigment reduction, and treatment of actinic keratoses will often opt for laser treatment. Ablative lasers such as the Halo™ and the Contour TRL™ are the treatments of choice.
Customized laser resurfacing treatments performed by Dr. Khurana involve the use of several innovative technologies to resurface damaged skin cells and improve fine lines and wrinkles around the eye and mouth areas.
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Before & After Gallery
Want to see real patient results from our innovative skin treatments? View our impressive before and after images in our photo gallery.

*Individual results may vary.