Actinic Keratosis

April 10, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Gaurav Singh, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.M.S., Mohs Micrographic Surgeon and Dermatologist, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Chicago.

Actinic keratosis is a very common skin condition that affects about 40 million Americans every year. It causes spots on the skin. Actinic keratosis is a precancerous condition, meaning that it is not skin cancer. However, some actinic keratoses may become cancerous over time, if they are left untreated.

What Is Actinic Keratosis?

An actinic keratosis, sometimes called a solar keratosis, is a spot or lesion on the skin caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light or artificial UV light from a tanning salons. Actinic keratoses may be small or large, may develop over time and tend to be found on the most sun-exposed parts of the body, including the head, neck, scalp, face and hands.

Actinic Keratosis Versus Seborrheic Keratosis

Like actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis is a type of skin lesion that is caused by exposure to UV light. However, the two conditions do have some differences. Seborrheic keratosis is noncancerous, meaning it is not cancer and generally does not become cancerous. Seborrheic keratoses and actinic keratoses may look similar, but actinic keratoses tend to be lighter in color and flatter against the skin.

Actinic Keratosis Versus Basal Cell Carcinoma

While actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition, basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the basal cells within the outermost layer of skin. Actinic keratoses do not turn into basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma often appears as thick, scaly or rough skin. Actinic keratoses are more likely to appear as lighter, flatter spots on the skin.

Actinic Keratosis Versus Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Actinic keratosis is not cancer, however, some actinic keratoses may turn into a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma if they are left untreated. Actinic keratosis usually causes flat, sometimes rough, spots on the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma may also cause flat spots and rough, scaly skin. However, it may also cause round, firm bumps or sores that do not heal.

Actinic Keratosis Symptoms

Common symptoms related to actinic keratoses include:

• Brown, tan, red or skin-colored spots on the skin, often on the head, neck, lips, scalp or hands
• Rough, scaly patches of skin
• Flat or slightly raised lesions on the skin
• A new spot, mole or patch of irritated skin

Actinic Keratosis Treatment

Most actinic keratoses are harmless. However, there is a small risk that some types of actinic keratosis may develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Treatment options for actinic keratoses include:

• Surgical procedures such as excision, curettage and electrodessication or cryotherapy, which target individual actinic keratoses
• Topical chemotherapy creams or ointments applied to a broader area that has actinic keratoses
• Photodynamic therapy, which uses medications and a specialized type of laser treatment to destroy actinic keratoses