The shocking photo reveals the damage the sun causes

The shocking photo of a man has revealed the damage the sun does to your face, The Daily Mail reports.

The unnamed 69-year old man spent 28 years driving a truck, meaning he was far more exposed to the sun's rays coming through the window on the left of his vehicle as he drove.

The shocking difference between the two sides of his face shows the dramatic premature ageing effect that sunshine can have on the skin.

Scientists at Northwestern University in Chicago studied the damage to the trucker's face.
The condition, known as unilateral dermatoheliosis, or photoageing, is caused by the sun's UVA rays and results in thickening and wrinkling of the skin.

Unlike the UVB rays most commonly associated with skin cancer and sunburn, UVA rays can penetrate glass such as the trucker's window and are present even on cloudy days.

Although UVA light was previously believed to be relatively safe compared to UVB - resulting in ranges of sunscreens that blocked only UVB - recent research and the university study have shown that skin cancer can be caused by both types.

Scientists Jennifer R.S. Gordon and Joaquin C. Brieva at Northwestern University said the trucker's extreme damage meant he would require regular monitoring for skin cancer.

The research highlights the danger of UVA tanning beds, which were once believed to be safe due to emitting fewer UVB rays, and comes as a warning to sunbathers after the hottest period of the year last weekend saw thousands flock to beaches across the country.