Dr. Rajan Bhatt completed an MBA from the Peter Drucker Graduate School of Management in Los Angeles, California. At Spectrum Dermatology and Vein Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, Rajan Bhatt is a cardiologist. Spectrum Dermatology and Vein Center's services include treatment for actinic keratosis (AK). Actinic keratosis is caused by prolonged, unprotected exposure to UV radiation, which is why AK is often formed in sun-exposed regions of the skin. The effects of the sun on the skin build up over time. This implies that the more time you spend in the sun for years, even if it's just for brief periods, the more likely you are to get AK. Indoor tanning beds emit UV rays that are particularly harmful in increasing the chance of developing AK and other forms of skin cancer. Anyone who spends a lot of time outside without protection, regardless of the climate, is at risk of getting AK. Your chance of getting AK is increased if your immune system has been impaired by medical treatments such as immunosuppressive treatment or chemotherapy or if you have a medical illness such as lymphoma, leukemia, or HIV that causes immunological dysfunction. UV radiation weakens the immune system, making it less capable of repairing additional damage. Although anybody may get AK, those with fair skin, particularly those with red or blond hair, skin that freckles or burns easily, or blue or green eyes are at a greater risk.

1. What Are the Causes of Actinic Keratosis?
Rajan Bhatt

2. Introduction
Dr. Rajan Bhatt completed an MBA from the Peter Drucker Graduate School of
Management in Los Angeles, California. At Spectrum Dermatology and Vein Center in
Scottsdale, Arizona, Rajan Bhatt is a cardiologist. Spectrum Dermatology and Vein
Center's services include treatment for actinic keratosis (AK).

3. Actinic keratosis is caused by prolonged, unprotected exposure to UV radiation, which
is why AK is often formed in sun-exposed regions of the skin. The effects of the sun on
the skin build up over time. This implies that the more time you spend in the sun for
years, even if it's just for brief periods, the more likely you are to get AK.

4. Indoor tanning beds emit UV rays that are particularly harmful in increasing the chance of
developing AK and other forms of skin cancer. Anyone who spends a lot of time outside
without protection, regardless of the climate, is at risk of getting AK.

5. Your chance of getting AK is increased if your immune system has been impaired by
medical treatments such as immunosuppressive treatment or chemotherapy or if you
have a medical illness such as lymphoma, leukemia, or HIV that causes immunological
dysfunction. UV radiation weakens the immune system, making it less capable of
repairing additional damage. Although anybody may get AK, those with fair skin,
particularly those with red or blond hair, skin that freckles or burns easily, or blue or green
eyes are at a greater risk.