Aging is a normal process for the skin. It can be complicated by other things that can also affect the appearance and health of your skin. One of the things that can impact your skin is actinic keratosis in Kissimmee, FL, and Ocoee, FL. For help with your aging skin, Dr. Clifford Lober is a board-certified dermatologist who provides a variety of dermatological services.

Causes of Skin Aging

Many things cause the aging of the skin. It can be the environment, nutrition, or genetic predisposition. The most common cause of skin aging, however, is sun exposure. This is obvious if you compare parts of your body that have not been exposed to the sun to ones that have been. Having darker skin provides some protection, but it is not complete. Everyone needs to protect their skin from sun damage that causes aging spots, which are darker spots like large freckles. 

What Is an Actinic Keratosis?

An actinic keratosis can look like an aging spot, but it is usually a raised, rough-feeling patch on your skin. It comes in many different colors, from skin color, to red, pink, yellow, or gray. They appear more commonly in areas of the body that have received a lot of sun exposure. While most actinic keratoses are not painful, they can be itchy, sting, or burn, may be tender to the touch, and even bleed. 

Connecting Skin Aging and Actinic Keratosis

What actinic keratosis in Kissimmee, FL has in common with skin aging is the sun. The connection between the two is sun exposure. Called photoaging, sun damage is due to ultraviolet rays that cause changes to DNA in the skin. According to the NIH, actinic keratosis is the key event in the evolution from photoaged skin to squamous cell carcinoma. The exact figures are uncertain but may be as high as 10%, which means that getting treatment as quickly as possible is vital to avoid the more serious consequences of skin cancer.

Prevention

Avoiding sun exposure is not only nearly impossible but not healthy. Sunlight provides vitamin D, which is vital in processing calcium for strong bones. Protecting your skin from bad sun rays provides the best alternative. Starting as young as possible, apply sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure. Having a dermatologist you visit regularly for an examination of your skin also provides the best outlook for avoiding and getting early treatment for skin cancer. 

Contact Dr. Lober when you have questions or concerns about actinic keratosis and skin aging in Kissimmee, FL, and Ocoee, FL. To make an appointment give our office a call at (407) 846-7166 in Kissimmee and (407) 656-9700 in Ocoee.