Photo showing sun damage to a woman's neck
Sunscreen blocks UV rays that causes skin damage. The woman applied it to her face, but not her neck.The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
  • A 92-year-old woman didn't apply sunscreen to her neck for 40 years.

  • She used SPF products to protect her face from the sun.

  • As people urged others to protect themselves, the post wentviral.

A 92-year-old woman applied sunscreen to her face but didn't apply sunscreen to her neck for more than 40 years.

Dr. Bitterman posted a picture of the woman on Friday. She has sun damage on her neck and less wrinkling on her face where she applies sunscreen.

—Avi Bitterman, MD (@AviBittMD) September 2, 2022

As of Tuesday, more than 239,000 people had liked the post and more than 30,500 people had retweeted it, mostly as a reminder to apply sunscreen to all body parts.

The photo was published in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in October of 2021.

UV light, an invisible form of radiation from the sun, can damage skin cells and cause irreversible discoloration and wrinkling.

The most common type of cancer is skin cancer, which is caused by exposure to UV.

Some people, such as those with lighter skin, blue or green eyes, skin that burns easily, and those with family members who have had it, are at highest risk of getting skin cancer.

One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, according to data from the American Association of Dermatologists Association.

To avoid sun damage, use sunscreen year-round and wear a hat

Everyone should apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher to all exposed body areas if the UV index is 3 or higher.

The CDC says to get help for hard to reach places.

The higher the SPF number, the better the protection against the sun's harmful rays.

The CDC says that people should wear SPF when it's overcast and when the UV radiation is low.

The CDC says that spending time in the shade, wearing sunglasses and a hat, and wearing clothes that cover the skin help protect against UV.

You can read the original article.