Hello! This Question Is Actually For A Friend Of Mine,

Posted on Mon, 7 Sep 2020

Question: Hello! This question is actually for a friend of mine, who is 53 years old. Back in May of 2017, she had an area of actinic keratosis on her forehead treated with cryotherapy. Following the time it healed, it was persistent, and she had it re-treated with cryotherapy two additional times through August of 2017. Following those additional treatments, the skin on the area appeared to go back to normal. In December of 2019, it re-appeared and she had it frozen yet again for the fourth time.

I am attaching two images of the spot. She has told me that the same area seems to get inflamed on and off, depending upon what kind of skincare she is using. Typically, it remains flat with no roughness to it, but once it is inflamed it raises and turns darker pink.

The attached images are what the area looks like in a non-inflamed state. Is it normal for this to keep happening? Also, should she get it treated again or is there anything she can do to help permanently heal the area?

Thank you so much!

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (0 minute later)

Hello! This question is actually for a friend of mine, who is 53 years old. Back in May of 2017, she had an area of actinic keratosis on her forehead treated with cryotherapy. Following the time it healed, it was persistent, and she had it re-treated with cryotherapy two additional times through August of 2017. Following those additional treatments, the skin on the area appeared to go back to normal. In December of 2019, it re-appeared and she had it frozen yet again for the fourth time.

I am attaching two images of the spot. She has told me that the same area seems to get inflamed on and off, depending upon what kind of skincare she is using. Typically, it remains flat with no roughness to it, but once it is inflamed it raises and turns darker pink.

The attached images are what the area looks like in a non-inflamed state. Is it normal for this to keep happening? Also, should she get it treated again or is there anything she can do to help permanently heal the area?

Thank you so much!

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (38 minutes later)

Actually one correction....the spot was NOT treated again in December of 2019...when my friend showed it to the doctor at that time, the doctor said it was not rough, not to worry about it, and it was not treated at that time.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding Actinic keratosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello and good morning.
I have gone through your query and viewed the image.

Cryotherapy is the most common and effective form of treatment for Actinic Keratosis (AKs). A few might recur (between 1-25%) and may require additional sessions. Repeat sessions usually do take care of the recurrences apart from the new ones that may appear in due course. The important thing is to continue to look for new AKs by regular skin exam. Sometimes recurrences may be confused with a scar which can also be pink as in this image. So, if her surgeon feels that the area doesn't require any treatment as it is smooth and not rough unlike AK, perhaps because it is just a healed scar.

Hope I have answered your question..Do let me know if you need any more assistance on this.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (0 minute later)

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad