Striking picture shows consequences of 92-year-old woman using sun cream on her face but not her neck for decades

The importance of wearing sun cream can't really be overstated and shouldn't come as much of a surprise to people.

However, if you're still on the fence about whether or not you should be lathering up before heading out in the heat, you may want to read on.

Experts have shared a shocking new photo to ram the point home. And it's pretty convincing, we won't lie.

The picture, which was shared in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology shows the effects prolonged exposure to the sun can have on the skin if not protected.

The 92-year-old woman in the photo consistently used UV-protective moisturiser on her face, but she neglected to apply it to her neck for decades.

C Posch 2021, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0/@PoschChristian

As a result, her face appears much smoother and clearer than her neck, which has been exposed to the elements.

Basically, if the skin ages naturally, it is a process known as chronological ageing, but if you are aged by the sun, it's photoaging.

The latter is sped up by consistent and prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays, which damage skin cells. In extreme cases, this can not only age the skin also lead to cancer.

Speaking about the picture, Dr Christian Posch said sun cream is vital in helping protect the skin from disease.

He said: "While it is unlikely that we can (or even should) aim at defeating human ageing for various reasons, modifiers of ageing will still be able to change both healthspan (the time we live without disease) and lifespan," Posch wrote.

"After all, who would not agree to an additional 20–40 healthy years?"

He went on: "Such advancements will be realised by a significant reduction of age-related diseases including the prevention of cancers.

"Why? Because there is substantial overlap between the hallmarks of cancer and the hallmarks of ageing.

CBW/Alamy

"Thus, addressing biological changes of ageing will also address prerequisites of cancerogenesis."

Obviously, sun cream isn't going to bring a halt to time and prevent the ageing process, but it is vital in reducing the risk of serious illness and disease.

So next time you head out, remember to smother yourself in the stuff.

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Topics: Science, Health, Viral

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is the News/Agenda Desk Lead, covering the latest trends and breaking stories. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom