Keratoses treated on the face peel off after about 10 days, those on the hands in about 3 weeks, but those on the legs can take as long as twelve weeks to heal. Electrosurgery Electrosurgery may be preferred with thicker keratoses, or lesions which are turning into cancers. Curettage is the removal of a lesion by scraping it with a sharp instrument. Diathermy, or cautery, burns the keratoses off and prevents bleeding. A scab forms which heals over a few weeks, leaving a small scar.
Excision Cutting the lesion out, or taking a biopsy, allows microscopic analysis.
This is sometimes important if we are not sure whether the lesion is harmless. The sutures are removed after a few days, the time depending on the size and location of the lesion. This medication is most useful when there are many keratoses on the face. The cream is applied onto facial skin once or twice daily for two to four weeks. The treated areas become red, raw and uncomfortable.