'Ultraviolet' film shows how the sun sees you -- and it's not pretty

Sunshine on your shoulders may make you happy, but just look what sunshine on your face does.

N.Y. artist Thomas Leveritt asked people to apply sunscreen to their faces and look at themselves under an ultraviolet light.

And then he made a film about it.

And the film went viral -- 11,673,565 views as of press time.

If you haven’t seen it, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9BqrSAHbTc

While headlines across the internet read: “The Best Argument EVER in Support of Sunscreen”; “SEE it: Brooklyn filmmaker reveals the importance of using suntan lotion” {wrong}; “Freak Video Shows What Sun Damage is Doing to Your Skin”; and, our favorite, “This Video Showing your Gnarly, Unseen Sun Damage isn’t a Sunscreen Ad but Should be.”

We asked Niki Bryn, APRN, DCNP, from Dermatology and Skin Health to watch the 3 minute 7 second viral video, and give us her thoughts.

What she saw left her astonished. (Well, not really, but if you spend time on the internet, you get the reference!)

Bryn says, “When first viewing this video it strikes me as quite powerful but as a nurse practitioner in dermatology, I am biased toward this message. I have forwarded it to some of my patients who still like to get a tan and seem to be getting the message through viewing the video.

“Unfortunately, many people still believe cancer is never going to happen to them. This video portrays the adverse aging effects of the sun on skin.”

Bryn adds, “I am more concerned about skin cancers, but if this video gets people to comply with sun precautions because of premature aging of the skin, I’ll use it to get the outcome I want for my patients. I preach ‘pale is the new tan’ daily, {and good to note, Bryn is pale herself}, but many who grew up with the idea of a healthy glow are not hearing that message. This may help with that because there is an emphasis on looking younger than our years.”

Again, whether your mantra is Pale is the New Tan or Protect the Skin You’re In, wear sunscreen and if you have any concerns about the condition of your skin, call us at Dermatology and Skin Health, 742-5556.

We are here to help you!