They might be some of the healthiest Americans, but Utahns have a lot of problems with regards to skincare. Utah’s air, elevation, and environment require strict regimens to maintain healthy skin.
Nature Problems
Utah is close to nature. Even Salt Lake City has long tracts of forest and mountain trails, and Utahns are known for their love of the outdoors. However, hitting the trails comes with a bit of risk and your skin bears the brunt of it. Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac — Utah trails have it all. You’ll end up scratching yourself red if you come into contact with the. Make sure you can identify their appearance and avoid them as much as possible.
Don’t stray away from the path, wear jeans, or apply ivy block when hitting the trails. Skin rashes can be irritating and require treatment depending on their severity. Aside from plants, bugs will also try to ruin your hikes. Ants are everywhere, and walking haphazardly can earn you a few bites.
A fire ant’s sting can cause blisters and welts that last for a week, and carpenter ants will spray acid while it’s biting. Mosquitoes are also a common problem, so make sure to apply repellents every time you go on long treks. Utah is also home to a multitude of mites, lice, spiders, and bees.
Dry Air Woes
The Utah air is particularly dry, mostly because of elevation. Elevation not only saps moisture from the air, but it also makes you breathe faster. Your body loses more water, and your skin inevitably dries up. Dry skin is more prone to cracking, breaking, and wrinkling, making you appear a little bit older than your actual age.
Drink a few extra cups of water each day. Elevation somewhat dulls feelings of thirst, so make sure you consciously drink water even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Apply a healthy dose of moisturizer on your skin before you sleep. Opt for creams instead of lotions. They have higher moisture content, and oil tends to stay on the skin longer. Bring a mist spray to work and place a humidifier in your room for particularly arid days.
Sun Snags
Utah’s most widespread — and most dangerous — skin problems are melanomas and skin cancer. Utah has abnormally high rates of skin cancer — almost twice as high compared to other states. Sunlight and elevation combine to make Utahns some of the more vulnerable populations with regard to skin cancer.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun gets more concentrated as elevation rises, with Salt Lake City getting 28 percent more UV and Park City getting close to 50 percent more. Even if you don’t get cancer, sun damage is also one of the primary causes of skin aging. Avoid the sun by staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunblock.
Your skin needs a little more protection and pampering in elevated Utah. Ramp up your skincare regimen and take measures to protect your skin from the sun, the environment, and even the air.
