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, especially since they often recur. Dr. Dray also discusses oral nicotinamide, DNA repair enzymes, and what the current evidence does and does not support. If you notice a spot that does not heal, keeps coming back, or changes in appearance, schedule an evaluation with a dermatologist. RELATED VIDEOS Photodynamic Therapy for Actinic Keratoses https://youtu.be/ENzQPLo4Hwc Oral Nicotinamide for Skin Cancer Prevention https://youtu.be/Y0QDCgSWCx0 Topical DNA Repair Enzymes Explained https://youtu.be/6tlrvvOFW0Y If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing for more evidence-based, dermatologist-led skincare content. Feel free to leave your questions or video suggestions in the comments. Thanks so much for watching. FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links. 💜Shop my Amazon store https://o.bttn.io/0BwiPWFIZLG 💜Follow me on liketoknowit https://www.liketoknow.it/drdrayzday 💜Social media Instagram @drdrayzday Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/drdrayzday/ Facebook @DrDrayzDay Twitter: @drdrayzday Tiktok: @drdrayzday Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.