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If you're worried about getting cancer, it might be time to grow a beard.

According to a recent study from the University of Queensland, facial fuzz can protect a man’s face from 90 to 95% of harmful UV rays from the sun.

This means that a large portion of a man’s face is protected from being sunburnt – which can help prevent skin cancer.

(Image: GETTY)

Lead author, Professor Parisi said: “While beards will never be as sun-safe as sunscreen, they certainly are a factor in blocking UV rays.”

While this certainly doesn’t mean men with beards should skip sunblock, it just means that a portion of their skin is safer from the sun.

Having a beard could also help to slow down ageing. This is because less exposure to the sun means less wrinkles and age spots.

Dr Adam Freidmann told the Independent: “Sun exposure is the primary cause of photo-ageing and skin damage, so it makes sense that if your face is covered by a heavy beard, it may well protect your skin from the signs of ageing.

“This means fewer wrinkles and a reduction in age spots (liver spots) commonly found on the face.

“People with a thick head of hair do not tend to get skin cancer or photo ageing on the scalp until they lose their hair. So we can see that there is a UV protective effect.”

However, these findings are only applicable to men who have a full beard – patchy stubble doesn’t count.

Meanwhile, a nail technician recently revealed how a mark on your nail could actually be a sign of skin cancer.