Artist Thomas Leveritt has invented a new technique that reveals to subjects what ultraviolet rays from the sun actually does to their skin.

People have long been aware that staying under the sun for too long or routinely undergoing tanning sessions increases the risk of wrinkles, liver spots, and in very extreme cases, skin cancer.

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UV rays are known to cause the most damage to skin, but since they can't be seen, the damage UV does isn't visible to us. Only creatures such as bees and salmon can perceive ultraviolet rays.

Leveritt wanted to reveal to us what we don't usually see -- the damage that UV rays do to human skin.

Leveritt placed individuals in front of a special ultraviolet camera to show UV damage.

Many of the participants believed they had healthy skin, that is, until they saw the video. They were shocked to see how much wrinkles, freckles and dark spots they had on their faces.

"We showed people what they looked like in ultraviolet and wondered aloud if they wanted to put on some damn sunscreen already," Leveritt shard.

And apply sunscreen they did.

Participants saw the product blacken their skins onscreen. This proved that sunscreen acts as a protective barrier against UV rays that damage the skin.

The video, which has been made available online, has been viewed more than 7 million times.

Leveritt said UV photography provides really interesting shots of people, almost from an alternate reality, or from 10 years in the future.

" There's something authentic about seeing yourself in UV. It almost feels like you're seeing your soul."

Melanoma or skin cancer has led to thousands of deaths per year, according to the American Cancer Society.

This year, about 9,710 individuals are expected to pass away from the disease and an estimated 76,100 people are predicted be diagnosed with melanoma.

TagsUltraviolet camera skin damage, skin damage, ultraviolet camera, Thomas Leveritt, sun exposure camera