Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratoses are growths on the skin that develop over many years and are caused by sun exposure over the years. They are sometimes called “pre-cancer” spots. They usually start as small, pink, scaly patches that slowly get bigger and are found most commonly on the face, lips, ears, hands, forearms, scalp, or neck. If these patches go untreated, a small percentage of them can eventually become a skin cancer, so it is a good idea to see your dermatologist in Bellevue if you notice a new patch that is persistent over several weeks to months, bleeds, or is tender.