The Cities with the Healthiest Skin
According to dermatologist Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California and a dermatologist in Los Angeles, "where you reside has a big influence on the health and appearance of your skin." "While most of us wouldn't move to a different state only for the sake of our skin, you can lower your chances of skin cancer and premature aging by taking greater precautions if you reside in a high-risk area," the author says.
"To determine which US cities are most likely to have residents with glowing complexions, we studied data such as dermatologists per capita, skin-cancer rates, climate statistics, healthy-lifestyle indicators, and more. Read on to learn how the 10 best cities for your skin won their places.
10. Austin, Texas
Despite having more than 300 days of sunshine annually, Austin residents are a health-conscious group who are aware of how to take good care of their skin. With 36.5 percent of adults engaged in strenuous physical exercise for more than 20 minutes three times per week, the city has the most physically active population in the US, according to the Census Bureau.
According to Jason Reichenberg, MD, program director for the dermatology department at the University of Texas Southwestern-Austin, "people here are outdoorsy, sporty, and into being healthy." But there is a significant difference between using sunscreen and being sun smart, according to Dr. Reichenberg. "You can protect the skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, but it should not be your primary sun protection; you should be wearing a hat, and if you're swimming, you should be wearing a swimming shirt that offers SPF protection," he advises. With parks like Ladybird Lake and the Barton Creek Greenbelt, which are filled with shaded trails, Austin makes it simple to avoid the sun's harmful rays. According to Reichenberg, "I advise my patients to use those paths in the late afternoons and evenings when the sun isn't as intense."
9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Long winters and brief summers in Milwaukee imply less opportunities for sun exposure and the development of solar damage, according to Bradley Straka, MD, a dermatologist in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The pollution that used to degrade the city's air quality has also decreased because to the fall of heavy industries and manufacturing. According to Dr. Straka, Milwaukee has lower particle pollution levels than many other regions of the nation. Another benefit? With nature all around and the city situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the nation's most physically active populations may easily enjoy outdoor activities.
Nevertheless, melanoma cases do occur in the community despite these two skin-friendly elements, so just because it is cold for the most of the year doesn't imply people shouldn't wear sunscreen. Even in the winter, according to Straka, it's crucial to use sunscreen since snow reflections can still cause harm. Straka advises using nondetergent-based soap and moisturizing the skin every day with an antioxidant-rich moisturizer to prepare the skin for the long winters and prevent "winter's itch," or psoriatic dermatitis.
8. New York, New York
According to clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center Doris Day, MD, the most populous city in the country is also one of the most skin-healthy places on our list. I believe we are a knowledgeable bunch, and we typically take an autonomous, effective, and pro-active approach to caring for ourselves and our skin, according to Dr. Day.
New Yorkers have skin that is that much more protected because to smoking regulations, the most recent of which restricted smoking in public parks and beaches. The Big Apple is renowned for having one of the lowest occurrences of skin cancer in the nation. The number of dermatologists in the city is likewise very high. In comparison to other cities, the wait time to visit a dermatologist is substantially lower here, Day continues.
However, there is still space for improvement in New Yorkers' skin health. Finding balance in one's lifestyle is crucial, according to Day, because people in this area experience high levels of stress and work and play hard. Day advises New Yorkers to take use of the shadows provided by high buildings to reduce their exposure to the sun while strolling. Crossing to the shaded side of the street when it's sunny really helps, she says.
7. Boston, Massachusetts
Due to its large density of dermatologists, Boston came up at number seven on our ranking. The city is a hub for dermatology clinical research. According to Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, "You have the medical schools of Boston University, Harvard, and Mass General Hospital's Wellman Center for Photomedicine, where laser use in skin treatment was originally discovered." According to Dr. Hirsch, "We have a lot of skill and a lot of creativity - the best of both worlds." Boston is an excellent choice for any patient looking for top-notch dermatologic care because of the improvements in both dermatology and technology.
People in this area, according to Hirsch, "are quite active and have healthy lifestyles." One difficulty Bostonians encounter is adjusting to weather changes. "And generally, healthy individuals have healthy skin since the skin is a reflection of your overall well-being," the author adds. You need to plan ahead and be ready for all the environmental obstacles because, unlike San Francisco or Miami, this area experiences all four seasons, which have an impact on your skin.
6. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, a popular tourist destination for sun and surf, would seem an odd choice for a top-ten slot on our list, but the Aloha State's capital is renowned for having the lowest air pollution rates in the nation and zero days with high ozone levels.
Dr. Julie Kenner, the founder of Kenner Dermatology Center and a dermatologist in Kailua, Hawaii, believes that free radicals from pollution can aggravate the impact of ultraviolet rays on the skin and cause oxidative damage and changes to the skin's DNA. "Compared to other cities, this one has a lot less pollution."
A state noted for its natural beauty, Hawaii's residents are also physically active, with 33.9% of adults participating in strenuous physical activity for more than 20 minutes three times each week.
The consistent sunshine may also encourage individuals to be more diligent about sun protection, as opposed to towns with rainy seasons or harsh winters. Kenner notices surfers wearing headgear and believes Hawaii is the only state in the union where UV-protective swim tops are more socially acceptable. In order to prevent excessive UV damage and to restore existing damage, Kenner explains, "we strive to educate people."
5. Chicago, Illinois
The number of skin-care professionals in the Windy City is the most in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which contributes to the city's reputation as one of the greatest cities in the country for your skin's health. According to Carolyn Jacob, MD, director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology and a dermatologist in Chicago, the city has five excellent universities that train a lot of good dermatologists in addition to the skilled aestheticians and specialists who can help you with taking care of your skin.
Although Dr. Jacob advises her patients to "wear sunscreen year-round, and moisturize more heavily in the winter — the dryness during the long winters can really aggravate conditions like eczema, rosacea, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis," the city also benefits from short summers that prevent residents from suffering from excessive sun damage.
4. Baltimore, Maryland
One of the lowest melanoma incidence rates in the nation is in this East Coast city. The low death rate from skin cancer may be attributed to Baltimore's proximity to surrounding medical facilities like Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. According to Rebecca Kazin, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University and a dermatologist in Baltimore, "Both centers care for patients and perform cutting-edge treatment trials on advanced-stage skin-cancer patients, which would certainly lessen this percentage." The port city only experiences 1.7 days per year with excessive ozone levels.
For Baltimore residents, sun protection is still crucial despite the low rates of skin cancer and melanoma. "The sun may be fairly intense and inflict a sunburn even on an overcast Baltimore day," explains Dr. Kazin. "I advise patients to use a daily face moisturizer with SPF 15 and to use sunscreen regardless of whether they're "laying out" at the beach.
3. Seattle, Washington
According to Robin Hornung, MD, a dermatologist in Seattle, "There are many institutions that educate integrative medicine, healthy eating, and holistic health, and their impact may make individuals more health-conscious." But Seattle's environment also plays a role in maintaining its third-place ranking. The city doesn't have as many skin hazards as other cities due to its low ozone days, low pollution levels, and large amount of overcast days.
Seattle, however, is an exception because although though the sun only shines 47% of the time, it is extremely bright when the sky are clear. Dr. Hornung explains, "The sun sneaks up on you. There are higher incidences of sunburn here since it is foggy and dark in the mornings before turning brilliant and bright, adding to Seattle's potential skin-health hazards.
Hornung advises Seattle residents to use a broad-spectrum face moisturizer with sunscreen that has a minimum SPF of 15 in the winter and 30 in the summer to better protect their skin. Additionally, she advises that you visit a dermatologist for examinations, particularly if you have a family history of skin cancer or other risk factors.
2. San Francisco, California
In San Francisco, finding a tanning bed would be challenging. The city has the fewest tanning beds per resident in the US, according to studies. With a low death rate from skin cancer, a high density of dermatologists per capita, an active population, and zero ozone days, the second-best city for your skin likewise boasts an almost flawless record of skin-healthy characteristics.
According to Jennifer Linder, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, "the evidence is exactly in line with what I see." Even for such a skin-health Eden, Linder advises using a good moisturizer and sunscreen that contains antioxidants and using it every day. "The fog cleans out the city every day, people love the outdoors but realize that sunscreen is important, some of the best dermatologist-training happens here at Stanford and UCSF, and there is high-quality medical care," he says.
"Where you live has a huge influence on your skin's health and appearance," says Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California and a dermatologist in Los Angeles. "While most of us wouldn't move to another state just for the sake of our skin, you can reduce your odds of
skin cancer
and premature aging by taking more precautions if you live in a high-risk area."
"To find out which cities in the US are most likely to have citizens with glowing complexions, we analyzed data like dermatologists per capita, skin-cancer rates, climate statistics, healthy-lifestyle indicators, and more. Read on to find out how the 10 best cities for your skin earned their spots.
1. Portland, Oregon
According to Dr. Diane Baker, clinical professor of dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and a dermatologist in Lake Oswego, Oregon, "Portland is ranked just in the correct spot." Dr. Baker attributes Portland's success to a number of factors, including a long rainy season that makes it simpler to remain out of the sun, a pollution-free environment, and a general reduction in smoking rates.
According to Baker, Portlanders know exactly what to do in terms of health and skin, making it a terrific area to live and have incredibly healthy and youthful-looking skin for a long time. She claims that, in general, they exercise, eat well, and know how to properly protect their skin from the sun. Data show that Portlanders are less likely than the majority of Americans to smoke or have recently burned their skin.
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