Understanding Pre-Cancerous Skin Spots and How to Treat Them Professionally

Cancer frightens us all, and understanding precancerous skin spots and how they can be treated professionally is something everyone, and especially aestheticians need to be aware of.  A precancerous spot is a place on the skin, a dark patch or lesion that has the potential for developing into skin cancer.  Generally these spots are caused by excessive exposure to the sun, most specifically ultra violet rays.  Other carcinogens can also contribute to precancerous growths.  Additionally, genetics can play a part.  A common type of precancerous condition is known as actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis.

Actinic Keratosis: Small Rough Skin Spots

Actinic keratosis will  appear as small, rough spots on the skin. They  usually develop on the face, ears, hands and arms. They may be pink, red, or they can be flesh colored and are normally about one fourth  of an inch in size. If an actinic keratosis appears the chances of others coming along is very likely.  It is not uncommon for these patches to resolve themselves on their own and to come back and reoccur at a later time. They are not always cancerous, but should be watched.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma, or Bowen’s Disease

Another type of precancerous lesion is known as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, Bowen’s disease which shows up as red, crusty and  scaly patches on the skin. These are usually about half an inch in size.  Bowen’s disease patches differ from actinic kurtosis in both texture and size and very often they turn into full skin cancer.

Moles Should Be Checked On A Regular Basis

Know How to Spot Skin Cancers, Mole and Skin Issues

Moles should  be checked on a regular basis. Not all moles turn into skin cancer but if the size and shape of moles on the skin begin to change, it could  be a sign of a coming problem. Unusual areas of the skin should always be checked by a doctor.  Sometimes surgery is necessary.  At other times dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can help to remove them and treat the problem.

Your clients look to you as an aesthetician as a source of authority when it comes to skin care.

Keeping yourself educated on the various types of precancerous growths, spots and lesions will allow you to recognized potential problems when you see them and recommend treatments as well as making quick referrals to physicians when it is called for.  And passing on preventive information to your clients to help them help themselves through avoiding excessive sun exposure and the causes of precancerous growths will help your clients tremendously.