Solar Keratoses (Actinic Keratoses) Usually appear as scaly spots or patches on the exposed areas of the body, most commonly hands, arms and face, of older people with fair skin. They are not a skin cancer, but are a warning sign that you are susceptible to getting a skin cancer as they represent a potential precursor for invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SKs are not normally sore, but may sometimes be very tender especially over bony areas. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate a SK and an early invasive SCC.