• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Social News Daily

  • Social Media
  • Social Celebs
  • Social Video
  • Hoaxed
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • More!
    • Social Humor
    • Social Business
    • Social Music
    • Social Sports
    • Social Photos
    • Social Gaming
    • Social Law
    • Mobile
    • Meet Our Team
Social Video

Man with Severe Sun Allergy Gets Prosthetic Mask That Looks Exactly Like His Face

Published on Jul 30, 2018 by Sophie Lloyd

Man with Severe Sun Allergy Gets Mask That Looks Exactly Like His Face

Share This Article

There’s been some amazing developments in prosthetic in recent years, from 3D printed arms to nerve detectors that utilise signals from the spinal cord. Now, a man with a severe sun allergy has been given a realistic “second skin” mask to wear over his face to stop him burning, and the result is truly life-changing.

Alex has a rare skin condition known as xerodema pigmentosum, which is caused by a defect in the DNA repair system. As a result, the 25-year-old is 10,000 times more at risk from sun damage than normal, and his skin blisters when exposed to direct sunlight.

To help her son in his day-to-day life, Alex’s mom Anna made him a make-shift sunvisor to wear outdoors, as even cloudy weather can cause a reaction. But thanks to this new invention, Alex’s circumstances are about to improve.

Man with Severe Sun Allergy Gets Mask That Looks Exactly Like His Face
Alex with his make-shift sunvisor before the mask
Source: BBC

Invented by Zoe Laughlin, the mask acts as a second skin and is based on Alex’s own features. It was gifted to him by Zoe on BBC show The Big Life Fix, in which inventors create imaginative solutions to everyday issues.

The mask took two months to create, and was formed from a 3D printed model of Alex’s face generated from thousands of photographs. The prosthetic is complete with hair and comes with a pair of sunglasses.

Alex was unsurprisingly thrilled when presented with his mask, saying “I didn’t think it would be possible.”

Man with Severe Sun Allergy Gets Mask That Looks Exactly Like His Face
Alex trying on his new mask
Source: BBC

Anna was also overjoyed: “I’m blown away, I’m glad you tried something that hasn’t been done before. Even in my wildest dreams I wouldn’t have dreamed it up.”

As well as impeding Alex’s ability to repair sun dramage, xerodema pigmentosum has also left him with learning difficulties, partial hearing loss, and he is at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Describing the first time her son was exposed to direct sunlight, Anna said: “You can see on the photos his face is fried, totally fried, there was no skin there. His face was burnt, his hands were burnt, his legs were burnt.

Man with Severe Sun Allergy Gets Mask That Looks Exactly Like His Face
Source: BBC

“He was then diagnosed with Xeroderma pigmentosum which has kept him indoors during every sunny day growing up.”

Still, Anna refused to lock her son away, which is why she came up for the original ingenious idea of his mask and visor.

Watch the emotional moment Alex gets a new lease of life below!

 

You Might Also Like:

Parents of Dead Teen Claim ‘Wi-Fi Allergy’ Killed Their Daughter

So Long Facetune, People Are Now Using Prosthetic Makeup to Improve Their Faces

About Sophie Lloyd

Sophie is a cute feminist butterfly navigating the world one kitty meme at a time, or at least that’s how her best friend described her when she asked for help writing this bio. She likes cheese and one day hopes to be the proud owner of a corgi. For more of her random ramblings, follow her on Twitter/Instagram @_sophofbread.

Primary Sidebar

office of the former president

Trump’s “Office of the Former President” Is Now Open

Donald Trump has officially announced the Office of the Former President, based in Florida. Another first for 45.

Immediate Changes made by Biden That Will Make You Smile

The moment he was inaugurated, immediate changes made by Biden made headlines across the country. These are many of the controversial issues and topics that were shunned and ridiculed by the former administration. Americans can finally breathe a sigh of relief that these concerns have finally reached government policies. It seems clear that Biden has been…Continue Reading ›

Most-Surprising Presidential Pardons in US History

Presidential pardons are one and many in the history of the US. There are many times when US Presidents granted reprieves for their citizen’s misdeeds. The US President may grant a pardon for any individual, including himself, for any crimes done against the country and its citizens. This issue of Presidential pardons has been trending…Continue Reading ›

Footer

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Social News Daily

  • Write For Us
  • Meet Our Team
  • SND Services
  • Social News
  • Copyright Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us