I never wore suncream as a teenager – my skin looked like leather & I looked 50 in my 20s – now I've reversed the damage
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THE SUMMER season has well and truly arrived and now it's more important than ever to look after your skin.
But while millions of beauty buffs kickstart their day by applying SPF, there are still plenty of those who skip the crucial step.
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Lora, now 44, admitted to skipping sunscreen as a teenager - which later resulted in premature ageing
Credit: tiktok/@loracroftcheck
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The mum has since managed to reverse some of the visible damage - and looks better than ever
Credit: tiktok/@loracroftcheck
Now, one woman has revealed the shocking damage of her ''leather'' skin after she gave suncream a miss as a teenager - and how she now looks totally different.
Mum Lora Croftcheck left TikTok users gobsmacked after she shared snaps of herself after skipping sunscreen in high school.
Lora, who graduated in 1999, told fellow social media users she never bothered with sun protection.
Sun safety should be non-negotiable and there are plenty of reasons to not skip this step, such as avoiding sunburn, minimising the risk of melanoma and premature ageing.
Sun damage, also known as photoaging, is skin damage caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun without SPF protection.
There have been plenty of studies that show that skipping sunscreen can lead to premature ageing, uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Sun damage is a significant concern because it can cause both cosmetic issues and serious health problem, experts have warned.
However, it wasn't until later that Lora began to notice the true extent of the damage - and in her 30s, looked like she was in her 50s, she bravely shared in a now-viral video.
Uploading selfies, the mum said ''the sun damage and bags were awful'' and admitted to always hiding behind cakey make-up to cover the spots and uneven skin tine.
But as she approached her ''upper 30s'', Lora decided to start focusing on skincare - and the results have left people with their jaws on the floor.
I let my kid start wearing make-up aged 3 - I've spent £1.5K on her 200 products & her skincare regime has 9 steps
The mum, now looking more radiant than ever at 44, wrote: ''For the past seven years, I have worn sunscreen every single day, and I have never missed a day using skincare.
''I have used multiple brands over the years, and this is not a sales speech.
''It is just meant to motivate you to stay consistent, because it is truly key,'' said Lora who's also admitted to getting ''fillers and lasers'' on top of using the viral Korean skincare.
The Importance of SPF
WITH summer finally here, here's everything you need to know about SPF.
1. Protects Against UV Radiation: SPF shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer: Regular use of SPF can significantly lower the risk of developing various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
3. Prevents Premature Aging: UV exposure accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps maintain youthful skin by blocking these aging effects.
4. Maintains Even Skin Tone: Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Using SPF regularly can help prevent these issues, leading to a more even and radiant complexion.
5. Essential for All Skin Types: Regardless of skin type or tone, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage.
6. Everyday Necessity: UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, making daily SPF application essential, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
While it's not possible to completely reverse sun damage, you can significantly improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin through various treatments and skincare practices.
These methods, especially introducing SPF to your beauty routine, can help reduce wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, and boost collagen production.
Regular sunscreen use can minimise the formation of new sunspots and wrinkles and help repair some of the visible signs of aging caused by the sun.
Other skincare buys worth investing in include retinol, retinoids, vitamin C, as well as other antioxidants and chemical peels, explained the experts at Cleveland Clinic.
'You de-aged 20 years'
The jaw-dropping video, posted under the username @loracroftcheck, has since taken the platform by storm, amassing over 4million views.
Close to 2,000 people flooded to comments in total shock, with one viewer writing: ''Australian here (so I know about sun damage) and finished high school in 1990.
''The difference between people who wear sunscreen and people who didn't is staggering at my age.''
Another was stunned by the epic glow-up, commenting: ''you de-aged 20 years, great job girl.''
Someone else said: ''I've been using sunscreen everyday since I was 21 I am now 65 and skin is really good with no wrinkles.''
''Class of 2001! Tanning beds and now hiding my face from the sun!'' a beauty buff chimed in.
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