- Dr. Aleksandra Brown is a co-owner of River Ridge Dermatology in Virginia
- She shared images of an unnamed woman in a hospital gown on TikTok
- The patient’s arms had a deep brown color and brown spots after years of sun exposure
A dermatologist has shared a shocking video of a patient who spent 40 years working outdoors without proper sun protection to show how the sun damages and ages skin.
Dr. Aleksandra Brown, the co-owner of River Ridge Dermatology in Virginia, went viral on TikTok after she posted film material of an unnamed woman sitting on an examination table in a hospital gown.
The patient’s arms had a deep tan and brown spots from years of chronic sun exposure – a stark contrast to her pale legs that have never seen the sun.
“She worked outside for 40 years but always wore long trousers,” the doctor explained in the on-screen text.
Dr. Aleksandra Brown, a dermatologist in Virginia, went viral on TikTok after sharing a video of a patient with years of sun damage on her arms
The patient’s arms had a deep tan and brown spots from years of chronic sun exposure – a stark contrast to her pale legs that never saw the sun
“Next time you see a dermatologist covered in sunscreen and SPF clothing, it’s because we see this every day.”
Dr. Brown’s dazzling video about sun damage has been viewed 5.6 million times and received more than 1,200 comments since it was posted last week.
“This is a great comparison video to show people what sun damage may look like in the future,” one person commented.
“I started wearing long sun gloves, SPF 80, hat and umbrella,” added another. “The sun relentless.”
Others opened up about their family members who have similar sun damage.
‘My father is a farmer, so he’s there every day,’ explains one user. “Arms are super tan, but when he puts on shorts, the difference!”
“This is exactly how my dad is!! He has worked outside for so long that he (just) has a permanent tan from sun damage,” someone else commented.
‘I work in the hospital with mostly older people. And I see this all the time,” added another. Their arms are burned, but their legs are not. Use SPF every day!!’
‘She worked outside for 40 years but always wore long trousers,’ explains Dr Brown. “Next time you see a dermatologist covered in sunscreen and SPF clothing, it’s because we see this every day”
Dr. Brown emphasized in an earlier video that tanning is a sign of sun damage, saying: ‘You don’t have to burn to get skin cancer’
Dr. Brown’s dazzling video about sun damage has been viewed 5.6 million times and received more than 1,200 comments since it was posted last week
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns that “years of overexposure to the sun lead to premature wrinkling, skin aging, age spots and an increased risk of skin cancer.”
Dr. Brown emphasized in an earlier video that tanning is a sign of sun damage.
You don’t have to burn to get skin cancer. You just need to tan,” she explained in the on-screen text.
‘Tan skin means sun-damaged skin. It takes 30-40 years for skin cancer to manifest. Sun damage is cumulative and you cannot take it back.
Tanned skin also ages prematurely because UV rays weaken collagen and elastin,” she added. “This leads to thin, fragile skin, easy bruising, lines and wrinkles.”