Doctor's warning: Sun exposure linked to 87-year-old grandma's youthful skin

A US emergency doctor reposted a viral video of an 87-year-old woman with notably smooth skin and said decades of ultraviolet exposure, not just age or genetics, are the main driver of visible skin ageing.

A US emergency room doctor reposted a viral video showing an 87-year-old woman with notably smooth skin and used it to highlight what he described as the main cause of visible skin ageing. He argued that decades of ultraviolet exposure change skin structure over time and are more influential than age or genetics alone. To illustrate this, he referenced widely circulated medical examples of uneven ageing linked to long-term sun exposure. He also mentioned mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as physical UV blockers and said simple measures can be more effective than elaborate routines. What is reported: - Dr Joe Whittington reposted a TikTok clip of an 87-year-old woman whose skin appeared youthful and said sun exposure is the biggest factor in skin ageing. - He stated that UV radiation damages DNA, breaks down collagen and elastin, and thins the skin over decades. - He referenced a 69-year-old truck driver whose face aged unevenly from sitting next to a sunlit window and a farmer whose arms showed more sun damage than his legs after many years outdoors. - He said shade, protective clothing and sunscreen can make a larger difference than many skincare routines, and mentioned mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sit on the skin's surface to block UV rays. - The video prompted online discussion and comments about tanning culture and concerns over sunscreen ingredients. Summary: The doctor's repost reinforced a commonly cited medical view that cumulative sun exposure plays a major role in how skin looks over time and prompted renewed online conversation about tanning and sunscreen. Undetermined at this time.