Do You Have Sun Spots or Acne?

 A new tool called BLU-U® blue light therapy is available to help you manage skin conditions like actinic keratosis (AKs) and acne. Aks – often called “sun spots”— are rough textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) such as sunlight. They occur most often on sun exposed areas such as the face, scalp or ears, and can range in color from skin toned to reddish brown. They can be as small as a pinhead or larger than a quarter.
Up to 58 million Americans have Aks. An AK has the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer. While most Aks remain benign, approximately 10 percent develop into SCC within an average of two years. Since there is no way to know ahead of time which ones will become cancerous, it is very important to seek a doctor’s care. Frequent skin examinations are the key to early detection, and removing Aks can help prevent skin cancer.
Aks are seen primarily in Caucasians with pale skin living in sunny climates such as Southern California. Areas of the skin with the most sun exposure, such as the head, neck, forearms and hands account for more than 80 percent of Aks.
Because the effect of sun exposure is cumulative, it is your lifetime exposure that increases your risk. Even if you didn’t suntan much, years of just doing simple tasks outside, such as going to the mail box, can add up to a significant amount of sun exposures.
If you have moderate acne and are uncomfortable taking antibiotics or are unhappy with your current topical treatment results, BLU-U® blue light therapy – used without drugs or antibiotics – may be something for you to try.
If you have sunspots, suspect you may have Aks or acne; please call us for a consultation to learn more about this safe, quick and painless therapy. The residents of the Santa Clarita Valley have entrusted their health to us for over a decade. At Santa Clarita ENT we are thankful for that privilege and we look forward to providing excellent care for many years to come. Please contact us at: 661-259-2500; 27879 Smyth Drive in Valencia; ScentMed.com and AbeautifulLook.com.