Joel Schlessinger M.D.

Joel Schlessinger MD recently reviewed a study on the treatment of actinic keratosis. The study, “Ingenol Mebutate Gel 0.015% and 0.05% in Actinic Keratosis,” was published in the 2012 issue of Drugs.

Actinic keratosis is characterized by small, rough, raised patches that are found on areas of skin that have had prolonged exposure to the sun. Some of these patches may develop into skin cancer. People are more likely to develop actinic keratosis if they have fair skin, blue eyes and blond hair and if they spend a large amount of time in the sun.

Treatment options for actinic keratosis include a number of different therapies, such as cryotherapy, surgery, chemical peels, laser treatments and topical medications. Many of these treatments can be time-consuming and painful. They can also lead to scarring or areas of hyperpigmentation.

In this study, a short course of field directed therapy with topical ingenol mebutate gel was applied to the face and scalp of patients affected by actinic keratosis. This treatment was found to have a significantly higher complete clearance rate rather than those patients who received a vehicle treatment.

The treatment was well-tolerated and the only adverse side effects were shown at the application site.

Joel Schlessinger MD has performed initial trials on this drug in his clinic in Omaha, Neb. This drug has been studied in numerous countries and it is beginning to become internationally known. Joel Schlessinger MD is happy to have been at the forefront of this drug’s research and he believes it will continue to grow in popularity, helping to aid those affected by actinic keratosis.

Have you ever had actinic keratosis? What treatments have you used? Have you seen any significant results with your chosen therapy? Tell us more about it in the comments below.