Characterized by flat, reddish lesions that are dry and rough, actinic keratosis, also called actinic keratosis, appears in areas of the body that over the years have been more exposed to sunlight. They usually affect the face, lips, ears, lap, scalp of bald people, the back of the hands, forearm and shoulders.
Because of the cumulative effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, older people are often the most affected. But it also develops in those with immune system deficiencies. Dermatologists should be consulted as soon as possible because they are lesions that represent a precancerous stage and may progress to cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
WHAT DR. OTAVIO MACEDO & ASSOCIATES OFFERS:
The OM&A Clinic offers its patients the latest resources for treating actinic keratosis. There is state-of-the-art equipment and up-to-date techniques that, for effective results, can be used on its own or in combination with custom treatment plans.
Our doctors perform thorough examinations, provide accurate diagnostics, and then the next steps are indicated.
For actinic keratosis, stage, extension, its location in the body, heredity, as well as habits, yearnings, motivation and self-discipline for the necessary treatment. All of these factors do not escape the eye of our doctors, as they help define which resources and techniques may be necessary. See list below that can enhance the results.
Tratamentos:
Clinical Dermatology > Actinic Keratosis
A technique used to facilitate the penetration of active ingredients through microperforations, which thus overcome the natural barriers of skin protection. With this technique, the chemotherapy cream is administered in a concentrated way and reaches its target more deeply.
Post-treatment: Normal life.
Protocol: 4 sessions, monthly.
Result: 3 months after 1st session.
Clinical Dermatology > Actinic Keratosis
Photodynamic therapy device with soothing LEDs. It has anti-inflammatory effect and acts without affecting the surrounding tissues.
Recommended to treat actinic keratosis (precancerous lesion) and some cancers with superficial lesions (Bowen’s disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma). Photodynamic therapy works by combining two types of agents, which add together: photosensitizing substances are determined on the one hand, and appropriate light source irradiation on the other.
For this specific treatment, a photosensitizing substance methyl aminolevulinate (or aminolevulinic acid) is used. Applied to the lesion, it remains there for 3 hours. During this time, the product is absorbed by precancerous or already skin cancer cells, which have high metabolism, while healthy skin cells do not.
Metabolic reactions occur from there and the affected cells become sensitive to light. The skin is then exposed to the proper light source, which will cause the destruction of sensitized cells without affecting the others. This is how treatment destroys only actinic keratosis cells and cancer cells. Healthy cells are not damaged.
This treatment is only effective on lesions up to 2 mm thick, which are the most superficial. In other types of basal cell carcinoma, photodynamic therapy is not the best treatment.
Post-treatment: Remains very visible for 7 days.
Protocol: 1 or 2 sessions.
Result: Healing of the lesions.