Actinic keratosis treatment in Dubai — rough sun-damage patches, diagnosis and treatment

Key facts

• Rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed skin
• A small proportion can progress to skin cancer
• Thick, growing or bleeding lesions need a biopsy
• Cryotherapy or prescription creams are common treatments
• Daily sunscreen helps prevent new lesions

What actinic keratoses look like

Actinic keratoses, also called solar keratoses, are small rough patches that are often easier to feel than to see. They may be skin-coloured, pink, red or brown, with a dry, scaly or crusty surface, and can be a few millimetres to a couple of centimetres across. They usually appear on areas that receive the most sun: the face, bald scalp, ears, lips, back of the hands and forearms. Some are tender or itchy. They often come and go, flaking off and then returning. People commonly have several at once, sometimes with a background of sun-damaged skin showing freckling, fine wrinkles and broken vessels.

Why they matter

Actinic keratoses are considered precancerous. Most remain stable or even regress, but a small proportion can develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Having actinic keratoses is also a sign of significant sun damage, which increases the risk of other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. For these reasons, they are usually treated, and people who have them benefit from regular skin checks. On the lip, the equivalent condition is called actinic cheilitis, which also needs assessment. Risk is higher with fair skin, older age, a history of sunburn, outdoor work and a weakened immune system.

Diagnosis and when a biopsy is needed

Dr. Abdullah Anis diagnoses most actinic keratoses by examining the skin closely and feeling the texture of the patches. He also checks the surrounding skin and other sun-exposed areas for further lesions. A biopsy is advised if a lesion is thick, rapidly growing, painful, bleeding, ulcerated or does not respond to treatment, because these features can suggest that it has progressed to squamous cell carcinoma. His fellowship training in dermatopathology at St John's Institute of Dermatology in London is useful in interpreting difficult lesions. If skin cancer is confirmed, he explains the findings and arranges appropriate treatment or referral.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the number of lesions, their location and your preference. Cryotherapy, freezing individual lesions with liquid nitrogen, is a quick and common option for isolated keratoses; the area blisters or crusts and heals over one to three weeks, sometimes leaving a lighter mark. When there are many lesions or widespread sun damage, field treatment with prescription creams such as 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod treats the whole area, including early lesions not yet visible. These creams cause redness and crusting during treatment, which is expected. Other options, including photodynamic therapy, may be discussed where appropriate, and the dermatologist explains which approaches are available.

Sun protection and follow-up in the UAE

Preventing new actinic keratoses relies on consistent sun protection. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily on the face, ears, scalp if thinning, neck and hands, reapplying when outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and protective clothing, and avoid midday sun. Daily sunscreen use has been shown to reduce the development of new actinic keratoses. Regular skin checks, often every six to twelve months for people with multiple lesions, allow early treatment of new patches. See the dermatologist promptly if any spot grows quickly, becomes painful, bleeds or forms a sore that does not heal within a few weeks.

Most skin tags and moles are harmless, but anything changing should be checked before removal. With a background in dermatopathology, our dermatologist assesses lesions before choosing laser, shave or excision.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Abdullah Anis

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.