Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a skin condition resulting from excessive exposure to UV rays, whether natural or artificial. Sometimes benign, actinic keratosis nevertheless requires regular monitoring because it carries the risk of developing into skin cancer.
Early management of actinic keratosis is a good way to reduce the risk of cancer, but also to get rid of this growth that may be considered unsightly. To this end, and after a diagnosis by a doctor or dermatologist, it is possible to proceed with its removal. The Victoria Park Medispa medical-aesthetic clinic offers patients the opportunity to get rid of this skin condition through a surgical procedure called excision.
Actinic keratosis,
what is it?
Actinic keratosis causes localized thickening of the skin. To the touch, this thickening can also alter the texture of the skin; it may then appear drier and rougher. Actinic keratosis can sometimes be recognized by its scaly appearance, meaning it has a raised, fish-scale-like texture that detaches from the skin.
In other cases, the keratosis may resemble a wart, and its color varies between pink, red, and brown. It may also cause itching. Some lesions caused by actinic keratosis are barely visible, especially in the early stages of the condition. They may also appear after sun exposure, then disappear, and reappear later.
A person affected by this condition may observe or feel these symptoms in several places on their body. The most affected areas are often those most exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, and décolleté, as well as the face and hands.
Actinic keratosis is more common in patients in their forties. This is explained by the fact that as the skin ages and is exposed to the sun, it becomes increasingly difficult for it to repair the damage caused by UV rays. In addition, people with fair skin are more vulnerable to these rays than those with darker skin. This is why this condition is more common in people with light eyes, blond or red hair, and those with many freckles. Finally, men are more often affected than women. This common and potentially risky condition can, however, be effectively treated after it has been analyzed and diagnosed.
Different types of keratosis
The term keratosis refers to several conditions that cause skin growths. Actinic keratosis is one of them, but it should be distinguished from seborrheic keratosis. The latter is benign, meaning it poses no health risk. Moreover, it more closely resembles a brownish wart than scaly skin.
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Treatment of actinic keratosis in a medical-aesthetic clinic
It is possible to proceed with the removal of actinic keratosis once the diagnosis is established, if the patient is a good candidate. At the Victoria Park Medispa medical-aesthetic clinic, the usual procedure is aesthetic excision. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the removal of the skin growth.
This procedure only applies to benign lesions, and it allows their removal before they develop into a risky condition. However, since it is a surgery, even a minor one, the possibility of scarring must be considered. Nevertheless, the healthcare professional responsible for the operation does everything possible to ensure the most aesthetic result. Aesthetic treatments may also be offered to the patient after the surgical procedure, if they wish to reduce the appearance of the scar.
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Procedure for treating actinic keratosis
Before the treatment of actinic keratosis, an initial consultation is scheduled at the Victoria Park Medispa medical-aesthetic clinic to discuss the client’s expectations and the procedure. On the day of treatment, local anesthesia is administered; however, it is possible that after the operation, the patient may feel slight discomfort. Once the affected tissue is removed, the wound is sutured.
The healthcare professional ensures that the wound is closed in a way that minimizes the appearance of the scar, especially if it is located on a visible part of the body. Depending on the nature of the stitches, a follow-up appointment may be necessary to remove them. If one session is not enough, several sessions can be planned to remove all the lesions.
In summary
Actinic keratosis is a skin condition caused by excessive exposure to UV rays, natural or artificial. It manifests as rough, scaly thickenings of the skin, often on exposed areas such as the face, neck, décolleté, and hands. While benign in its early stages, it can develop into skin cancer if left untreated.
This condition results from the accumulation of damage caused by UV rays over the years, especially in people with fair skin, light eyes, and blond or red hair. Men, often more exposed to the sun due to their activities, are more at risk. The aging of the skin, combined with repeated exposure, also increases the chances of developing this condition.
The most common treatment at Victoria Park Medispa is aesthetic excision, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes benign lesions before they become dangerous. This treatment aims to precisely remove the growths while minimizing the appearance of scars.
Before the intervention, an initial consultation allows the patient’s expectations to be discussed and the treatment to be planned. On the day of the operation, local anesthesia is applied. Once the affected tissue is removed, the wound is sutured to limit scarring. Depending on the number and size of the lesions, several sessions may be necessary.
Treatment of skin conditions in a medical-aesthetic clinic
Although benign, some skin conditions can have an impact on self-esteem. The Victoria Park Medispa medical-aesthetic clinic offers several minimally invasive treatments to help its clients feel good in their skin again. Rosacea, keratosis pilaris, and seborrheic keratosis are among them. Rosacea is a condition that causes the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin of the face, and it can sometimes be accompanied by pimples.
It poses no health risk, but its occurrence alters the complexion and can be experienced as embarrassing. To improve the appearance of the skin and significantly reduce the appearance of dilated vessels, a photorejuvenation treatment can be planned. The treatment of keratosis pilaris, on the other hand, can be done with a chemical peel. This skin treatment deeply cleanses the skin to remove dead cells and unclog hair follicles. Finally, people whose skin is prone to seborrheic keratosis can also get rid of these skin growths through surgical excision.
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