If you have skin lesions that look like scaly, dry bumps or patches on your skin, you may have Actinic Keratosis. Sometimes the only symptom of Actinic Keratosis is the small, dry scales on your skin that can take years to develop. The cause is long term sun exposure. Actinic Keratosis is considered precancerous, and can ultimately result in skin cancer. In order to prevent skin cancer, you have to take good care of your skin. Here are some ways you can help prevent further sun damage to your skin.

The most helpful thing you can do is stay out of the sun. Try to put a limit on the number of hours you spend outside. The sun's rays are most powerful between 10am and 4pm, so stay inside if you can during those times. Don't stay out long enough to get a sunburn, or suntan. Also, being at a higher altitude or around snow, water, or ice can intensify the sun's rays. Clouds do not mean that the sun can't get to your skin, so don't stay out for too long in the cloudy weather either.

Actinic Keratosis - How to Protect the Skin

It's helpful to use sunscreen and clothing to protect your skin if you can't stay indoors. Using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 will protect your skin the most. To be effective immediately, apply your sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going out into the sun. Wait a little while after applying sunscreen to get into the water. Every 1-2 hours more sunscreen should be applied, even when there are clouds. Your lips need sunscreen too!

In addition to wearing sunscreen, protective clothing will help shield your skin from harmful sun rays. Wearing long sleeved shirts, pants, and hats will help protect you from sun damage. Tight weave clothing is the best choice. Also, wide brimmed hats will help shield your face and neck from the sun's damage.

Also avoid tanning beds or creams with tan accelerants. Even though they only emit UVB rays, tanning beds can still be very damaging to your skin. You can still get a tanned look by using bronzing lotion or spray-on tans without getting the harmful sun exposure. Also using a natural skin care product to regenerate skin cells will help your skin to look healthy and glowing.