How I Can Use Imiquimod Cream: My Experience.

I never imagined that treating a patch of rough skin on my forehead would turn into such a personal journey. After years spent gardening without much sun protection I noticed a crusty spot that refused to heal. My dermatologist recommended Imiquimod cream as a first line treatment for actinic keratosis and explained how it would help my own immune cells clear away damaged tissue. She told me I might see redness and mild swelling but assured me that these signs meant the cream was doing its job. The first application felt familiar like slathering on any other lotion. I smoothed a thin layer before bedtime and rinsed it off in the morning. By day three the treated area looked flush and felt tender. At first I worried I had over reacted but my doctor reminded me that inflammation was a key part of the healing process. I kept an ice pack handy and patted on a gentle moisturizer on the nights without treatment. Those evenings I watched the blotchy skin transform as crusting formed and then gently fell away. Around week four the lesion had nearly disappeared and new healthy skin peeked through. Strangers at the grocery store commented on the glow of my complexion without knowing the rough spot had vanished. Months later I still examine my skin with more confidence. What once seemed like a hint that cancer might develop now feels like a simple reminder to care for my skin. Imiquimod gave me the power to clear a precancerous patch without surgery and without a long recovery. I now wear a wide brimmed hat and daily sunscreen but I also feel grateful for a treatment that let my own body repair itself.