It only took one and only shot to put the Twittersphere in turmoil. Nothing provocative or entertaining, just a photo of a 92-year-old woman who has been applying sunscreen to her face, but not her neck, for 40 years. The result is striking, to the point of having convinced tens of thousands of users to adopt the right actions in the face of sun risks.
Each year as summer approaches, prevention messages follow one another to raise public awareness of solar risks, punctuated by a series of advice on how to protect once morest them. And for good reason, more than 80% of skin cancers are linked to excessive exposure to the sun, according to data published by Public health France. Beyond the summer period, which requires special attention, it is advisable to remain vigilant throughout the year. This is all the more valid if you work outdoors, have children likely to increase outdoor activities, or have a low phototype which corresponds to very white skin, blond or red hair and light eyes.
This is what has just shown a snapshot published on social networks by a dermatologist from New York State, Dr. Avi Bitterman. We can see the face and neck of a 92-year-old woman, as the health professional himself explains. A priori, not enough to create the event on the social network. Originally from Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereologywhich uses it as an example to illustrate a report entitled “Research on aging: rethinking the primary prevention of skin cancer”the photo actually depicts sun damage over four decades.
Cheek and neck of a 92-year-old female, who used UV-protective moisturizers on her face but not on the neck for 40+ years.https://t.co/Q8wWxY2tDE pic.twitter.com/FBSswmYxt1
— Avi Bitterman, MD (@AviBittMD) September 2, 2022
As the dermatologist points out on his Twitter account, the woman in question resorted to “has UV protection creams on his face, but not his neck, for over 40 years”. And the result is final. Unlike the skin of the face, the skin of the neck of this anonymous patient is covered in spots, and much more wrinkled than her cheeks and cheekbones. A cliché that says a lot regarding the importance of protecting yourself from any exposure to the sun.
The reactions were immediate. Surprised, if not shocked, Twitter users have in turn communicated on the consequences of non-compliance with prevention rules regarding sun exposure. Within days, the post garnered over 240,000 likes, and was retweeted over 30,000 times.
The dermatologist has since posted, or reposted, other photos of the same type to warn even more regarding sun risks. In particular, we can discover the arms and thighs of a man who “has worked 50 years in the sun but [n’a] never quit[é] the house without pants”just as spectacular.
50 years of working in the sun but never leaving the house without pants.
Continuing the dialogue @AviBittMD pic.twitter.com/EbUTKlieRA
— SarahGee MD (@DrSarahGee) September 11, 2022
According to Public Health France, 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in France. While it is important to protect yourself from the sun by taking your phototype into account, such as the conditions of sunshine, it is also recommended to limit the duration of exposure, and to cover yourself with suitable clothing.
(ETX Daily Up)
