Written & reviewed by Dr Rupinder Singh Walia — MBBS, FRACGP, Dip. Dermatology (Cardiff, UK) · AHPRA MED0001647256 · special interest in skin cancer medicine & dermoscopy
The signs that mean “get it checked”
New
a new, unusual spot
Changing
size, shape or colour
Growing
getting bigger
Bleeding
or crusting, or itching
Won’t heal
a sore that keeps returning
Any one of these is worth a doctor’s eye — skin cancer is often painless early on.
Actinic keratoses (also called solar keratoses) are rough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin — often easier to feel, like sandpaper, than to see. They are very common in Australia. Individually most are harmless, but as a group they are considered precancerous, because a small number can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. A spot that is changing is worth a doctor’s eye.
Actinic keratosisRough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin
Clinical image · dermatology atlas via the Fitzpatrick 17k dataset, used for education. Example only — appearances vary; see a doctor for any concerning spot.
What they look and feel like
A rough, dry, scaly patch — often felt before it is seen.
Pink, red or skin-coloured; sometimes with a yellow-brown crust.
On the most sun-exposed skin: face, scalp (if balding), ears, lips, backs of the hands.
Often several, on a background of sun-damaged skin.
Why they matter
An actinic keratosis is a marker that skin has had significant UV damage, and a small proportion can progress to SCC. The signs that one may be turning are: it becomes thicker, tender, grows, bleeds, or will not settle. Any of these deserves a check.
Most skin-cancer advice tells you to watch for change. Skin360AI helps you keep photos of one or more spots connected over time. A spot can be a mole, freckle, mark, lump, sore, patch or any skin area you want to watch. It is not a diagnosis and cannot rule skin cancer in or out.
Check and watch the spots you care about over time
Use the free AI-assisted skin check to save photos of moles, marks, lumps, sores, patches or other skin areas you want to watch. A photo record is not a diagnosis or a cancer all-clear.
A structured photo record is not a diagnosis, cannot exclude skin cancer and does not replace an in-person examination.
Medically reviewed by Dr Rupinder Singh Walia (MBBS, FRACGP, Diploma in Dermatology — Cardiff University, UK; AHPRA MED0001647256). Last reviewed August 2026. This information is general and is not a diagnosis; it cannot rule skin cancer in or out. See your GP or a skin-cancer clinic in person for anything that concerns you.
Actinic keratosisRough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin