Actinic Keratosis
What is actinic keratosis (AK)?
Actinic keratoses are premalignant lesions of the skin that, when left untreated, can potentially develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common form of skin cancer. AK is primarily caused by chronic sun damage and generally affects people aged 40 or older.
You Could Be at Risk
More than a third of the general population over the age of 51 has at least 1 AK lesion that may be found on their head and scalp. Those with 10 lesions or more are 3 times more likely to develop SCC. If left untreated, SCC can grow into a more aggressive form called invasive SCC (iSCC).
What are the signs of AK?
AK lesions typically form on areas of the body most exposed to the sun—such as the face, scalp, neck, and ears. Different types of AK lesions can have a different clinical appearance. AK lesions on the surface of the skin are frequently scaly, range from normal skin color to reddish brown, and can be identified by sight and/or touch. Because AK originates in the skin layers below the visible surface, lesions can be present but still hidden from view. These AK lesions are known as subclinical lesions.
Sun damage is usually spread over a large area where multiple AK lesions can develop over time. For every visible lesion on the surface, there are likely others hidden below. When surface and subclinical lesions cover a particular area, they form a premalignant field.
The Treatment Process
Therapy with AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% and BF‑RhodoLED®is a multi-step process:
Your healthcare provider will prepare the skin and apply AMELUZ®. (Application area should not exceed 20 sq.cm.)
After waiting the recommended time to allow AMELUZ®gel to penetrate the targeted cells, your healthcare provider will illuminate the area with BF‑RhodoLED® lamp. Your healthcare provider's staff will provide protective eyewear that must be worn during your BF‑RhodoLED® lamp treatment.
For 48 hours after treatment, you should avoid exposing treated areas of the skin to sunlight and artificial sources of UV radiation (e.g., tanning beds or sun lamps).