Dermatologist Explains Actinic Keratoses Early Signs and Treatment

Actinic keratoses are extremely common, especially in people with a history of sun exposure. While they are not skin cancer, they are considered precancerous, which makes early detection and proper treatment essential. In this video, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dray explains what actinic keratoses are, how to recognize them early, why dermatologists take them seriously, and the evidence-based treatments used to manage them. If you have noticed rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed skin and are wondering what they might be, this video is for you. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: Why actinic keratoses matter 0:38 What are actinic keratoses 1:37 What actinic keratoses look and feel like 2:28 Why early detection is important 3:47 How dermatologists diagnose actinic keratoses 4:40 Dermatologist-approved treatments overview 5:36 In-office procedures 7:11 Topical treatments 10:08 Preventing actinic keratoses and future sun damage 13:49 Key takeaways 15:11 Final thoughts and outro WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO • What causes actinic keratoses • Who is most at risk • How to recognize early warning signs • When a biopsy is needed • In-office treatments such as cryotherapy, curettage, electrosurgery, and photodynamic therapy • Topical prescription options including 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, and tirbanibulin • How sun protection and prevention reduce future risk PREVENTION AND SKIN HEALTH Daily sun protection is a critical part of managing actinic keratoses, especia