Head Shaving, Grooming & Care > How To Protect Your Bald Head
Actinic Keratosis Treatment
herronm:
Guys, I need your help on this one. I have a lot of actinic keratosis (AKs) on the top of my head, some on my face. Too many years of being stupid about the sun. I've had many frozen off, but more keep coming back or new ones forming. The freezing is not too bad, but there are always a dozen or more.
Now, my doctor tells me about another treatment. It is a cream type of chemotherapy, brand name is Carac. It is a 2 week treatment, last longer and gets below the skin to get those AKs that are forming. Problem is that the skin looks like hell for several weeks.
Has anyone gone through this? It is really that bad? Am I just vain???
Here is a link with some photos of the treatment.
http://www.carac.info/aboutcarac/default.aspx
I also had 2 cherry angiomas removed. These were burned off. No big deal, just can't shave until they heal.
Max
JDog:
Max.
Sorry I can be of no help whatsoever as I have never experienced this firsthand.
I would say that if this cream can help get rid of this affliction than the couple of weeks of discomfort would be worth it.
My thoughts are with you mate.
jusbnme:
I agree with JDog on this. I also have no experience or "know-how" on this subject but I would have to say that if there is a chance that it can make things better for you in the long run then maybe the few weeks of irritation would be worth it. You're in my prayers bro. Keep us posted.
MLNHD:
Max, I start my application of (I forget the name of the stuff) the topical meds for actinic keratosis myself later this month. My scalp is not the prob, rather my forehead. (Sun damage from the errors of my youth.) I've had similar experience with the dermatologist -- freezing off a few pre-cancerous things annually over the years. She says now is the time to go deeper. She said that the lesions during the two active weeks of application will become red, sore, tender, scaly, and then fall off and by the end of a month total, things will be looking real good because there will be fresh new skin.
I dread it only because of the unsightly nature of the process, but I'm looking forward to fresh skin and being rid of the little red patches I've had for years. I guess I figure two weeks of looking like the dickens will be worth it to prevent this stuff from graduating from benign to cancerous.
And BTW, Max, I don't think you are vain -- well, no more than the rest of us here ???-- for wondering about this procedure and just what you'll look like in the process. We'll have to compare notes. I'm starting my treatment on 9/24, the day after a professional conference I'm attending.
Best Wishes,
MLNHD
herronm:
MLNDH, I feel better knowing that someone has or is about to go through this. I will get a 2nd opinion during my annual physical tomorrow. If she tells me is a good thing, I'll go through with the treatment. Thanks for your feed back.
Maybe we can be the poster children for using sun screen and hats.
Max
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