What Wearing Sunscreen On Your Face, But Not Your Neck, Could Do To Your Skin

Daniel Mitchell-Benoit
The woman's neck and right cheek.
JEADV | C Posch

We're told from the moment we start going outside on our own to wear sunscreen. Even before then, we have memories of our parents lathering us up with it to make sure we don't get burned during our day out.

As we get older, some of us may start to slip and forget that habit. Here's your period reminder to always, always remember to wear sunscreen. Everywhere.

It's no surprise that the sun isn't very good for your skin.

The sun high in the blue, cloudy sky.
Unsplash | Ritam Baishya

That's why everyone is advised to wear sunscreen every time they go out. There's more than just sunburns to worry about, but full-blown cell damage and potentially even skin cancer.

In case you needed a reminder about the efficacy of sunscreen...

Someone putting sunscreen into their hand.
Unsplash | BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific

A recently published image is sure to do just that.

The image was shown in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. It features a 92-year-old woman who used UV-protective moisturizer on her face, but not her neck, for 40 years.

The difference is startling.

The woman's neck and right cheek.
JEADV | C Posch

Her face is visibly clear and bright, while her neck is heavily wrinkled, discolored, and covered in skin spots.

Prolonged sun exposure without proper protection is known to make skin appear older, which is proven true by this image alone.

The damage the sun causes is more than superficial though.

The rising sun over the water.
Unsplash | Tiffany Nguyen

It can even damage the DNA in your skin cells, which increases the risk of a variety of genetic mutations which, as mentioned before, can increase one's cancer risk.

Doctors posit that if people can put so much effort into reducing the signs of aging...

Wrinkles present around someone's closed eye.
Unsplash | Anita Jankovic

That they can do the same for protecting their skin's overall health. After all, damaged skin does look older, so the two go hand in hand, and you'll be treating your body better for it!

h/t: IFL Science