Seniors Dermatology

Actinic Keratosis (AK), also called solar keratosis, is one of the most commonly diagnosed and treated skin conditions. AK is a precancerous growth caused by years of sun exposure or indoor tanning. It often appears as a rough, scaly, reddish patch or spot on areas that weren’t protected from the sun, commonly the face, lips, ears, back of the hands, forearms, scalp, or neck. AKs are considered an early warning sign of squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer.

According to the American Skin Association, AKs typically appear as 1–4 mm red to brown spots that do not go away. They often have a rough, gritty texture and are easier felt than seen. The surrounding skin may appear red or irritated, and the spots may sting, itch, or bleed if scratched. While it is not possible to predict which AKs will progress to squamous cell carcinoma, lesions on the lips and ears have a higher likelihood of becoming cancerous.

At Tania Cohen Dermatology in Poughkeepsie, NY, and Danbury, CT, we offer safe and effective treatments for actinic keratosis. Options include cryotherapy, topical creams, and electrodessication. In some cases, advanced therapies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) or laser treatments like Sciton’s Halo laser or Sciton Contour TRL may be recommended to remove abnormal cells and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

As we get older, our skin will get thinner and more delicate, which can make bruising more common and noticeable. Even minor bumps can leave behind dark marks that take longer to fade.

Our Poughkeepsie and Danbury teams understand how frustrating this can be, especially when bruises appear without apparent cause. We will carefully evaluate your skin and overall health to determine the reason behind frequent bruising.

Options like BBL HERO and Halo Laser can improve skin resilience and tone, while collagen stimulation treatments such as RF microneedling or PRP can enhance skin thickness over time. We also share simple prevention strategies so you can feel more confident in your day-to-day life.

Dry, flaky, or crepey skin is one of the most common concerns we hear from seniors, and it’s often made worse by changes in the skin’s natural barrier as we age. The itching that comes with it can be particularly bothersome.

At Tania Cohen Dermatology, we provide solutions that go beyond over-the-counter creams. HydraFacial, Glacial RX, and gentle peels can refresh the skin’s surface, while RF microneedling, Ultherapy, or AnteAGE exosome therapy work beneath the surface to boost collagen and hydration.

Photodynamic therapy targets and treats precancerous skin growths, such as actinic keratoses, as well as certain types of early skin cancers. It works by applying a light-sensitive solution to the skin and then activating it with a special light to destroy abnormal cells while leaving healthy skin unharmed.

PDT is often combined with other therapies such as BBL HERO or Sciton Profractional Laser to maximize results.

Seborrheic keratoses are harmless skin growths that appear in shades of brown, black, or tan and often have a waxy, scaly, or slightly raised appearance. Though they don’t pose any health risks, many choose to have them treated if they become irritated, catch on clothing, or are simply bothersome.

Removal options at Tania Cohen Dermatology include cryotherapy, electrodessication, or advanced laser treatments such as Sciton’s Contour TRL, which smooths the skin and restores a more even appearance.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and seniors are at a higher risk due to a lifetime of sun exposure. The good news is that when detected early, it is very treatable.

We perform thorough skin exams and, when needed, surgical excision to ensure complete removal of cancerous tissue. For some cases, we also recommend treatments such as BBL HERO for sun damage or laser skin rejuvenation to restore healthier surrounding tissue.

As the skin ages, wounds tend to take longer to heal, and infections become a greater concern.

Treatments we offer our Poughkeepsie and Danbury clients include PRP therapy or PRFM to boost the body’s natural healing response, microneedling with growth factors to encourage tissue repair, or light-based therapies to improve circulation and reduce scarring.