Shocking skin damage revealed: Is it too late to reverse 61 years of neglect?
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As we age, our skin tells the story of every laugh line, every furrowed brow, and, yes, every moment under the sun. Too much sun can affect us, especially our skin. It can be as simple as wrinkles to as serious as cancer.
For one man, 61 years of neglect has led to a moment of reckoning. It's time to address the burning question: How badly has our skin been damaged, and can we still protect it moving forward?
Born in the early '60s, this British man named Phil Daoust grew up in an era when a deep tan was a status symbol, a sign of leisure and exotic travel.
Sunscreen, if used at all, was more of an afterthought than a shield.
According to him, “Sure, you could buy Coppertone or Ambre Solaire – but it didn’t offer much protection even if you used it. The term SPF, or sun protection factor, was introduced in 1974, but I don’t think I heard it for another 10 years, by which time I had been burned more times than you could count.”
Fast forward to today, he said, “I’ve grown a little more sensible since I met a woman who takes care of her own skin and that of her kids. But even now, I use about a tenth as much as sunscreen as they do.”
Cancer Research UK said, “A history of sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. The risk is especially high if you were sunburnt several times during your childhood.”
With this, Phil worries about getting skin cancer due to the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK that get diagnosed with skin cancer every year.
A visit to Salford Royal hospital's dermatopharmacology unit and an encounter with a Visia skin-analysis machine revealed the harsh truth: wrinkles, redness, and pigmentation issues far beyond the average for his age and skin type.
While some of this can be attributed to natural aging and genetics, the role of sun exposure is undeniable.
“You’re worse than average for wrinkles,” Dr. Abigail Langton, senior lecturer in skin ageing at the University of Manchester, explains to him.
Phil says, “Just how wrinkly am I? Well, Langton says, all of today’s results are percentages; anything above 50% is better than average, and anything below it is worse. And I’m on … 15%.”
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin aging and damage. It breaks down collagen, accelerates the formation of wrinkles, and can lead to hyperpigmentation and redness.
More alarmingly, it significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.
The most serious type, melanoma, often begins as a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new one.
Dermatologists use the ABCDE rule to help identify concerning moles: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color that is not uniform, Diameter larger than 6mm, and Evolving size, shape, or color.
Source: @belfastskinclinic / Instagram.
Dr. Tamara Griffiths, consultant dermatologist and president of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), explains this mnemonic.
“A is asymmetrical: it’s not a mirror image of itself. B is border: the border is notched or jagged rather than smooth. C is color: we like a dark brown as long as it’s even in color, but not if it’s got pink or pinky brown and the like – if it’s blotchy in color.”
She goes on, “D is diameter: we don’t like it if it’s greater than 6mm or so. If it’s big and it’s also blotchy with irregular borders, that’s higher risk. And then E is evolving – it’s rapidly changing or you definitely didn’t have it before.”
She also warns that, “If you’ve got a lot of moles, but one just looks very, very different, then you should have it checked.”
Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are more common and typically less aggressive but can still lead to significant damage if left untreated.
Griffiths says that the most common type, BCCs, “can vary greatly in their appearance”, according to BAD, “but people often first become aware of them as a scab that bleeds and does not heal completely, or a new red or pearly lump on the skin.”
Most BCCs are said to be painless, “although sometimes they can be itchy or bleed if caught.”
The good news is that it's never too late to start protecting your skin. While past damage cannot be completely undone, further harm can be prevented. Here are some steps you can take to safeguard your skin now:
1. Embrace the Shade: Seek out shade, especially during peak sun hours (11am to 3pm).
2. Cover Up: Wear protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves. Griffiths says that, “It’s easy to forget that you can burn even on a cloudy day, or outside of spring and summer.”
Source: Dr. Sam Bunting / Youtube.
3. Become a Sunscreen Savant: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. According to Paula Geanau of BAD, “Our advice is to put sunscreen on about 15 to 20 minutes before you leave the house – and then, 15 to 20 minutes after you’ve left it, to put on another layer.
She explains, “That way the first layer will have had time to dry and create a protective barrier, and hopefully the second layer will cover the areas that you may have missed the first time.”
4. Make It a Routine: Incorporate sunscreen application into your daily regimen, even on cloudy days or during the winter months. You should also reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.
5. Get Screened: Regular skin checks by a dermatologist can catch early signs of cancer. Self-exams are also crucial – get to know your skin and monitor for changes.
Have you, like Phil, neglected sunscreen in the past? What changes have you made to protect your skin as you've aged? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
For one man, 61 years of neglect has led to a moment of reckoning. It's time to address the burning question: How badly has our skin been damaged, and can we still protect it moving forward?
Born in the early '60s, this British man named Phil Daoust grew up in an era when a deep tan was a status symbol, a sign of leisure and exotic travel.
Sunscreen, if used at all, was more of an afterthought than a shield.
According to him, “Sure, you could buy Coppertone or Ambre Solaire – but it didn’t offer much protection even if you used it. The term SPF, or sun protection factor, was introduced in 1974, but I don’t think I heard it for another 10 years, by which time I had been burned more times than you could count.”
Fast forward to today, he said, “I’ve grown a little more sensible since I met a woman who takes care of her own skin and that of her kids. But even now, I use about a tenth as much as sunscreen as they do.”
Cancer Research UK said, “A history of sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. The risk is especially high if you were sunburnt several times during your childhood.”
The importance of preventive measures such as wearing hats, using sunscreen with at least SPF30, and avoiding the sun during peak hours is emphasised, along with the advice to form habits for effective skin protection. Image source: Pexels / Kindel Media.
With this, Phil worries about getting skin cancer due to the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK that get diagnosed with skin cancer every year.
A visit to Salford Royal hospital's dermatopharmacology unit and an encounter with a Visia skin-analysis machine revealed the harsh truth: wrinkles, redness, and pigmentation issues far beyond the average for his age and skin type.
While some of this can be attributed to natural aging and genetics, the role of sun exposure is undeniable.
“You’re worse than average for wrinkles,” Dr. Abigail Langton, senior lecturer in skin ageing at the University of Manchester, explains to him.
Phil says, “Just how wrinkly am I? Well, Langton says, all of today’s results are percentages; anything above 50% is better than average, and anything below it is worse. And I’m on … 15%.”
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin aging and damage. It breaks down collagen, accelerates the formation of wrinkles, and can lead to hyperpigmentation and redness.
More alarmingly, it significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.
The most serious type, melanoma, often begins as a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new one.
Dermatologists use the ABCDE rule to help identify concerning moles: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color that is not uniform, Diameter larger than 6mm, and Evolving size, shape, or color.
Source: @belfastskinclinic / Instagram.
Dr. Tamara Griffiths, consultant dermatologist and president of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), explains this mnemonic.
“A is asymmetrical: it’s not a mirror image of itself. B is border: the border is notched or jagged rather than smooth. C is color: we like a dark brown as long as it’s even in color, but not if it’s got pink or pinky brown and the like – if it’s blotchy in color.”
She goes on, “D is diameter: we don’t like it if it’s greater than 6mm or so. If it’s big and it’s also blotchy with irregular borders, that’s higher risk. And then E is evolving – it’s rapidly changing or you definitely didn’t have it before.”
She also warns that, “If you’ve got a lot of moles, but one just looks very, very different, then you should have it checked.”
Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are more common and typically less aggressive but can still lead to significant damage if left untreated.
Griffiths says that the most common type, BCCs, “can vary greatly in their appearance”, according to BAD, “but people often first become aware of them as a scab that bleeds and does not heal completely, or a new red or pearly lump on the skin.”
Most BCCs are said to be painless, “although sometimes they can be itchy or bleed if caught.”
The good news is that it's never too late to start protecting your skin. While past damage cannot be completely undone, further harm can be prevented. Here are some steps you can take to safeguard your skin now:
1. Embrace the Shade: Seek out shade, especially during peak sun hours (11am to 3pm).
2. Cover Up: Wear protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves. Griffiths says that, “It’s easy to forget that you can burn even on a cloudy day, or outside of spring and summer.”
Source: Dr. Sam Bunting / Youtube.
3. Become a Sunscreen Savant: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. According to Paula Geanau of BAD, “Our advice is to put sunscreen on about 15 to 20 minutes before you leave the house – and then, 15 to 20 minutes after you’ve left it, to put on another layer.
She explains, “That way the first layer will have had time to dry and create a protective barrier, and hopefully the second layer will cover the areas that you may have missed the first time.”
4. Make It a Routine: Incorporate sunscreen application into your daily regimen, even on cloudy days or during the winter months. You should also reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.
5. Get Screened: Regular skin checks by a dermatologist can catch early signs of cancer. Self-exams are also crucial – get to know your skin and monitor for changes.
Have you, like Phil, neglected sunscreen in the past? What changes have you made to protect your skin as you've aged? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
