Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis are the small crusty, scaly and horn like bumps on the skins surface. They are sometimes very itchy and have a tender, prickly sensation. The horny part is raised, dry and rough and mostly noticed by touch, while the visible part is the base where the skin is inflamed and a darker color than the surrounding skin; usually a brown, pink, or red. In very severe cases the horny bumps can start to bleed. Unfortunately the areas that are mostly affected are parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun rays; the face, ears, neck, chest, forearms, lips, scalp etc. These are also the areas that mostly affect the personal appearance of each person, so treating this skin disorder is usually a priority.

Nobody wants to walk around worrying about the stares and comments that are directed at one with some abnormality or another. Not only does Actinic Keratosis affect the aesthetic part of our bodies but it is also a risk for later diagnosis of skin cancer that could be fatal. In other words it is vital to treat and more importantly prevent the occurrence of these unwanted crusty horns on the skin.

Anyone that spends time in the sun is at high risk of developing Actinic Keratosis. It's a common skin reaction that accumulates over a period of time and each moment spent in the suns UV rays will enhance the lifetime possibility of suffering from Actinic Keratosis (AK). Older people are more likely to develop these lesions as the have a longer accumulative exposure to the sun; however that does not mean that younger people aren't susceptible. People with fairer skin, lighter colored hair and eyes are definitely at greater risk of suffering form AKs. Lighter skinned people have less protective pigment, making them more receptive, however darker skinned people are not counted out.

Actinic Keratosis is the skins pre-cancer warnings…listen to it!

In most cases the occurrence of AK is the first step to the possible development of skin cancer. The first step is prevention and these are the same as the advice given to prevent skin cancer:

• Avoid direct contact with the sun for long periods of time without any form of sun protection.

• UVA and UVB sun rays are highly damaging towards the skin, so it is vital that powerful sunscreens are used that contain a minimum of 15 sun protection factor and blocks against both light rays.

• Use sunscreen in winter as well as the summer months.

• Protective clothing is also an important part of protecting the skin against sun exposure. Use hats, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and skirt and sunglasses.

• The sun is at its most dangerous between 10 am and 4 pm, try to avoid the sun as much as possible during these hours.

Actinic Keratosis sufferers do have the opportunity to cure the skin of these surface lesions and at the same time prevent the further development of skin cancer. Some methods require time and patience, they are very successful but can leave reddening, scarring and will require close monitoring to ensure that the AK does not return. The first step is to get the correct medical attention and advise as to what method is the adequate one for each personal case of Actinic Keratosis, the second step is to go ahead with the procedure, wit patience and good care of the wounds and thirdly follow up with regular visits to the doctor to monitor the progress. The different possible procedures should be discussed with your medial practitioner as the treatment depends on the severity of each case, the advancement of the lesions and the age of the sufferer.

Treatments available for Actinic Keratosis

• Topical medication is one of the very useful and non invasive methods that help to remove both the visible and invisible lesions. Creams like 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod are very effective on the face, ears and neck. These are also known as immune enhancing agents.

• Electrocautery is the technique of burning off the Actinic Keratosis, local anaesthesia is required and the bleeding is minimal.

• Cryosurgery is the name given to the process whereby the lesions are frozen off with liquid nitrogen. Temporary redness and swelling is possible.

• Photodynamic therapy involves injecting a chemical into the bloodstream which makes the AK lesions more sensitive to any form of light. The AKs are selectively destroyed, little damage is done to the surrounding skin, slight redness and swelling may occur.

• Laser surgery focuses on removing the epidermis and different levels of the deeper skin. It is a finely controlled treatment and fantastic option for small narrow areas.

What can BIOSKINREJUVENATION™ do for you and Actinic Keratosis?

BIOSKINREJUVENATION™ is a natural skin care alternative to treat mild Actinic Keratosis and to help prevent the formation of new lesions. It can be used in any routine skin care regimen to soften the skin and to keep it healthy. BIOSKINREJUVENATION™ acts as an exfoliant eliminating dead cells and scaly lesions before they grow. It also destroys pathogens, heals and regenerates damaged tissue. The skin is stimulated to rid the surface of unwanted dead cells and replace them with newly generated cells. It nourishes your skin and protects it from free radicals. Improves the skin's elasticity, and leaves it silky soft and soothed.

BIOSKINREJUVENATION™ will gently erode away mild AK lesions and is also remarkably effective when combined with the other treatments available. Other curative treatments may leave the skin with unwanted swelling, redness and discomfort; BIOSKINREJUVENATION™ will take care of the skin by aiding the healing process and facilitating the generation of new skin cells to replace the externally removed damaged skin.

BIOSKINREJUVENATION™ has been clinically proven effective for acne, scars, burns, stretch marks, wrinkles, age spots, Actinic Keratosis lesions when in an early stage, and unsightly skin conditions. It contains biological activators that aid the both the elimination of dead, damaged skin cells and the renewal of healthy cells.

The result is a healthier appearance of the skin with more thickness, a normal skin color, normal skin texture and normal skin tissue rigidity.