A case published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows exactly why sunscreen is a must – with a case of a 69 year-old truck driver, who drove for 28 years with the left side of his face exposed to the sun, while the right side faced inside and remained protected. . When compared to the right, the exposed side shows the effects of chronic sun exposure: "hyperkeratosis with areas of accentuated ridging, multiple open comedones, and nodular elastosis." In non-medical terms: thickened skin, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, and irregular texture. This photodamaged state is referred to as dermatoheliosis. Although UVB rays are more carcinogenic, both UVA and UVB rays, with enough exposure, have been shown to mutate DNA in skin cells and begin the process of skin cancer. So, sunscreen doesn't just protect us from sunburns. Sunscreen protects us from the effects of chronic UVA/UVB exposure, clearly seen within this single individual in the image above, drastically reducing the risk of skin cancer later in life. Do you wear sunscreen every day? ✨✨✨✨ 🔍 @drmarmolani 📸: Gordon and Brieva, NEJM, April 2012