Actinic Keratoses

In New York City, NY

Healthy Skin Restored

Introduction to Actinic Keratoses

Spending time in the sun may be part of enjoying so many activities, including playing sports, swimming, and vacations. However, you should be mindful of the risks of excessive, unprotected sun exposure. If you are not careful, precancerous patches called actinic keratoses can develop on your skin; they are aesthetically displeasing and can become cancerous without proper treatment.

At Anolik Dermatology in New York City, Dr. Robert Anolik develops personalized treatment plans using advanced laser technologies to treat actinic keratoses, improve sun-damaged skin, and help reduce the risk of progression to more advanced precancerous changes.

Professional woman in white blouse with pearl necklace smiling at camera in bright office setting

What Is Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition caused by years of sun exposure. A single actinic keratosis or multiple actinic keratoses often appear as rough, pink, scaly patches of skin, typically in sun-damaged areas such as the face, ears, scalp, or hands. Actinic keratosis is precancerous. It can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) if you do not treat it.

Actinic keratoses grow slowly and often appear in people over 40, as they take several years to develop. One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of developing actinic keratoses is to minimize sun exposure and protect your skin from UV rays with broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Actinic Keratoses Treatments We Offer

At Anolik Dermatology, we always tailor each patient’s treatment to their unique actinic keratosis condition, including the size, severity, and number of lesions. Dr. Anolik uses a customized approach and sometimes combines several technologies to maximize the results.

Laser skin resurfacing is a highly effective, FDA-cleared treatment for actinic keratoses and the visible effects of chronic sun damage. Depending on your needs, Dr. Anolik may recommend ablative or fractional laser resurfacing, or a combination of technologies, to target precancerous cells while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.

In addition to improving skin texture and reversing signs of photodamage, growing evidence from clinical studies suggests that certain fractional resurfacing lasers may also help treat actinic keratoses and reduce the burden of precancerous lesions. Dr. Anolik has contributed to this evolving body of research as a co-author of a published clinical study evaluating fractional laser resurfacing for facial actinic keratoses.

What Are Some of the Signs of Actinic Keratoses

Actinic Keratoses vary in appearance, as they represent varying degrees of cell growth. Their appearance is heavily influenced by their location on the body and the specific type of sun damage. For instance, actinic keratoses on the back of the hands or forearms are often elevated and thicker, while those on the face, scalp, and ears are often flatter or resemble smaller red bumps or tan crusts.

If you notice any of the signs below, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Anolik to discuss next steps.

Rough, dry, or scalp patches of skin, often less than one inch in diameter
Flat or slightly raised patches or bumps on the skin
Hard, wartlike surface
Pink, red, or brown in color
Itching, burning, or bleeding
New patches or bumps on sun-exposed areas of the head, neck, hands, and forearms

Steps to Consider For Optimal Recovery

Treating actinic keratoses is a team effort between you and Dr. Anolik. After he performs the treatment, you will need to take care of your skin to optimize results.

Follow Dr. Anolik’s post-treatment instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Keep your skin protected from the sun by using broad-spectrum sunscreen
Keep the skin in the treated areas happy and hydrated by using moisturizer and avoiding harsh exfoliating products
Hold off on intense exercises and activities that make you sweat for 3 to 10 days, depending on the type of treatment

How to Begin Your Actinic Keratoses Treatment Journey

At Anolik Dermatology, we strive to make your experience as easy and comfortable as possible. You should schedule a consultation at our New York City office as soon as you suspect you have an actinic keratosis. Here is what will happen during your consultation:

You will go over your medical history and discuss your sun exposure habits, history of skin conditions, and medications
Dr. Anolik will perform a comprehensive skin evaluation, carefully examining suspicious markings to identify actinic keratoses.
Dr. Anolik will explain the different actinic keratosis treatments and which ones are the best option.
Dr. Anolik may take a biopsy to be analyzed in a lab
Together, you will create a treatment plan based on your unique actinic keratoses

What to Expect During Your Actinic Keratoses Treatment Journey

Your treatment journey will depend on the severity and number of actinic keratoses, which treatments are performed, and your body’s ability to heal. You may contact our New York City office at any point if you have any questions or concerns.

You will always receive a customized treatment session optimized to address the specific state, severity, and qualities of your actinic keratoses.
You will notice the results slowly show up over several weeks as your skin heals.
Redness, swelling, sensitivity, and flaking are normal, but you can always let us know if you experience unusual pain.
To achieve optimal results, you will likely need to attend several treatment sessions at our clinic in New York City. Dr. Anolik will check your progress before and after each session.

Medical professional in suit consulting with patient while holding blue medical gloves in clinical setting

How Much Does Actinic Keratosis Treatment Cost in New York City, NY?

The cost of actinic keratosis treatment in New York City can vary widely between patients, even if they have similar concerns. The cost is generally determined by a combination of factors, including the severity of the condition, the chosen treatment method, and the extent of insurance coverage.

We recommend contacting your insurance company before scheduling a consultation at Anolik Dermatology at our office in New York City, where you will discuss the cost and financing options.

Why Choose Dr. Anolik?

Robert Anolik, MD, is a New York City-based Board-certified dermatologist who specializes in injectables and laser treatments. Over the course of his career, he has helped thousands of patients regain confidence in their skin by helping them with a wide range of specific skin concerns and conditions, such as actinic keratosis, wrinkles, melasma, and more.

Dr. Anolik has been recognized as a leader of cosmetic dermatologists in New York, earning him recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, the “Michelangelo of Botox and Filler” in Town & Country, inclusion on New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” list, and national acclaim; he received ELLE’s Genius Award. Additionally, Dr. Anolik frequently contributes to major media outlets, including The New York Times, Vogue, and Allure, as he continues to educate readers on techniques and technologies to ensure optimal, effective results.

Real Patient Reviews

‘Thoughtful work, beautifully understated results.’

See Reviews

Schedule Your Consultation

If you suspect you may have actinic keratosis, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our New York City office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Anolik. You may call (212) 258-1040 or use our website, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Schedule a Consultation

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 212-528-1040