Solar Keratosis (Actinic keratosis)

Yes. Solar keratosis and actinic keratosis are two names for the same condition.

Both terms describe areas of skin that have been damaged by cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation. You may therefore see the terms “solar keratosis”, “actinic keratosis” and their plurals “solar keratoses” and “actinic keratoses” used interchangeably.

Solar keratoses can vary considerably in appearance. They commonly develop as small areas of rough, dry or scaly skin and may initially be easier to feel than see.

They can be skin-coloured, pink, red or brown and may sometimes develop a thicker, crusted or wart-like surface. Some solar keratoses can also feel itchy or sore.

They most frequently develop on areas exposed to the sun over many years, including the face, ears, scalp, backs of the hands and forearms.

Solar keratosis is caused by cumulative damage to the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Rather than being caused by a single episode of sunburn, the damage generally builds over many years. This can result from regular sun exposure, outdoor work or hobbies, sunbathing and the use of sunbeds.

Solar keratoses are therefore more common as people get older and particularly affect areas of the body that have received significant sun exposure.

Solar keratosis is not itself skin cancer. However, it involves abnormal sun-damaged skin cells and there is a small risk that an actinic keratosis can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

For this reason, it is important to monitor your skin and seek medical assessment if a lesion changes, particularly if it becomes thicker, grows rapidly, becomes painful, bleeds, ulcerates or develops into a lump.

Most solar keratoses do not develop into skin cancer. However, a small proportion can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

It is not always possible to predict which individual actinic keratosis will progress. A dermatologist can assess the lesion and look for clinical features that may warrant treatment or further investigation.

Despite their similar names, solar keratosis and seborrhoeic keratosis are different conditions.

A solar keratosis, or actinic keratosis, develops as a result of long-term UV damage and carries a small risk of progressing to squamous cell carcinoma.

A seborrhoeic keratosis is a common benign, non-cancerous skin growth that often develops with age. They frequently have a raised, waxy or “stuck-on” appearance and do not develop into skin cancer.

However, some skin lesions can look similar, so it is important to seek professional assessment if you are uncertain about a new or changing growth.

Solar keratosis can often be diagnosed by examining the affected skin.

Your dermatologist will consider the appearance and texture of the lesion, its location, your history of sun exposure and any symptoms or changes you have noticed.

If the diagnosis is uncertain or the lesion has features that could indicate skin cancer, your dermatologist may recommend further investigation, which can include taking a sample of the skin for examination.

There are several possible treatments for solar keratosis, and the most appropriate approach depends on factors including the number, location and thickness of the lesions and the extent of surrounding sun damage.

Treatment options can include prescription creams or gels, cryotherapy to freeze individual lesions, curettage or surgical removal, and other specialist treatments where appropriate.

Your dermatologist will recommend a treatment plan based on the findings of your assessment.

A successfully treated individual solar keratosis may clear, but treatment does not remove the underlying history of sun damage from the surrounding skin.

This means new actinic keratoses can develop elsewhere, particularly on areas that have received significant UV exposure over many years.

Regularly checking your skin and protecting it from further UV exposure are therefore important even after treatment.

Protecting your skin from further ultraviolet exposure can help reduce additional sun damage.

This includes using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wearing protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, seeking shade when UV levels are high and avoiding sunbeds.

You should also regularly check sun-exposed areas of your skin for new or changing lesions.

Consider having a skin lesion assessed if you are unsure what it is, if you have developed new rough or scaly patches, or if an existing solar keratosis changes.

Particular attention should be paid to a lesion that grows quickly, becomes thicker, painful or tender, bleeds, develops a lump or ulcerates, as these changes require medical assessment.

If you are uncertain whether a lesion is a solar keratosis or another type of skin lesion, a dermatology consultation can provide an appropriate diagnosis and management plan.

If you are concerned about solar keratosis in Wrexham, our dermatology-led clinic provides specialist assessment of sun-damaged, rough or changing areas of skin.

Solar keratoses and suspected actinic keratoses can be assessed at our Wrexham clinic by Dr Keli Thorsteinsson, Dr James Dean and Dr Richard Jerrom, all experienced dermatologists with expertise in the diagnosis and management of skin lesions and skin cancer. They can distinguish solar keratoses from other skin lesions and recommend appropriate treatment, monitoring or further investigation where clinically indicated.

Our Wrexham clinic is conveniently located on Grosvenor Road, close to Wrexham city centre, with free on-site parking. We regularly see patients from Wrexham and surrounding areas of North Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.

For further information about our clinicians, location and accessing the clinic, visit our Dermatologist Wrexham page.

For solar keratosis treatment in Nantwich, Freyja Medical provides dermatologist-led assessment and management of actinic keratoses and other sun-damaged skin lesions.

At our Nantwich clinic, Dr James Dean, Locum Consultant Dermatologist, can examine suspected solar keratoses, confirm the diagnosis and distinguish them from other skin lesions. Where treatment is appropriate, he will discuss the available options with you based on the characteristics of the lesion and your individual skin.

Our Nantwich clinic is situated close to Nantwich town centre and is convenient for patients travelling from Crewe and surrounding areas of Cheshire. Free on-site parking is available.

You can find further information about the clinic, our dermatologists and directions on our Dermatologist Nantwich page.

If you are looking for solar keratosis treatment in Chester, Freyja Medical provides consultant dermatologist-led care for actinic keratoses and other sun-damaged or concerning skin lesions.

At our Chester clinics, Dr James Dean, Locum Consultant Dermatologist, can examine suspected solar keratoses, confirm the diagnosis and distinguish them from other skin lesions. Where appropriate, he can recommend treatment, monitoring or further investigation based on the individual lesion and your skin.

We provide dermatology consultations at two locations in Chester: Chester Wellness Centre on Wrexham Road and our Chester Upton clinic on Greenfield Lane. Both locations offer convenient access for patients from Chester and surrounding areas, including Broughton, Saltney, Ellesmere Port and the Wirral.

Chester Wellness Centre offers free parking and full disabled access, while our Chester Upton clinic has stairs leading to the clinic rooms. Patients requiring step-free access may therefore find Chester Wellness Centre more suitable.

For further information about both locations, our clinicians and directions, visit our Dermatologist Chester page.

If you are concerned about solar keratosis in Shrewsbury, our clinic provides consultant dermatologist-led assessment of actinic keratoses and other sun-damaged or changing skin lesions.

At our Shrewsbury clinic, Dr Keli Thorsteinsson, Consultant Dermatologist, can examine suspected solar keratoses, confirm the diagnosis and distinguish them from other skin lesions. Where appropriate, he can recommend treatment, monitoring or further investigation based on the individual lesion and your skin.

Our Shrewsbury clinic is conveniently located for patients travelling from across Shropshire, including Telford, Oswestry and Bridgnorth, with free on-site parking and lift access.

For further information about our Shrewsbury clinic, directions and dermatology services, visit our Dermatologist Shrewsbury page.