Woman who only wore sun protection on her face for 40 years shows shocking impact it had on her neck

The idea that SPF can help slow down the ageing process of your skin almost seems unbelievable.

But the importance of wearing sun protection really can't be stressed enough.

It seems as though taking care of your skin has become more prevalent in recent years, especially for the younger generation, where having a face routine in the morning and before bed is common.

This may be because science has advanced and we were taught more about it in school, but it is almost an essential part of many people's lives now.

With regard to sun protection, the NHS states: "Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy."

But just how much of a difference can wearing SPF have on your skin in the long-term?

Well, a picture of a 92-year-old woman has recently gone viral on Reddit for showing what sun protection actually does for your skin.

Getty Stock Photo

It was originally shared in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and shows the difference between her face - where she applied UV-protective moisturisers for 40+ years - and her neck - where she did not.

The skin on her face looks much smoother and a lot less damaged than on her neck.

Dr Christian Posch explained: "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.

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

He continued: "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.

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

It's good that, in the age of social media, people can be exposed to information like this and learn from others' past mistakes.

C Posch 2021, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Reddit users shared their surprise at the photo and were quick to leave their thoughts.

One user said: "Orders UV protective moisturizer."

Another added: "My mate’s wife is a dermatologist and her major advice was, use SPF moisturiser, it’s basically anti ageing cream."

While a third user posted: "The best advert for SPF ever!"

A fourth commented: "Tomorrow I'll be applying to my neck as well. Thank you."

The proof really is in front of our eyes, and it looks like a lot of people have realised how important it is to slather on that SPF.

Not just for your face, but for your entire body, because who wants to be wrinkly in the future?