Around these parts, you have to take special precautions to protect your skin.

You might be surprised to know that skin cancer is more common in the United States than breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Over 76,000 cases of skin cancer have been diagnosed in 2016 alone.

Skin cancer can be caused by a variety of factors, including sun exposure, smoking, and poor air conditions.

According to WalletHub, Amarillo is the 9th worst city for skin out of the 150 largest cities in America.

The study analyzed incidences of melanoma per capita, deaths from skin cancer per capita, air pollution, smoking rates among adults, number of days with extreme temperatures, and dermatologist availability and cost.

Source: WalletHub

Although Amarillo has a relatively low level of air pollution and number of people who smoke, the horrible climate and number of skin-cancer related deaths ranked high enough to put Amarillo in the top 10.

There are plenty of ways to protect your skin from the harsh environment in Amarillo. Here are the top 5 best ways to prevent skin cancer.

  • 1

    Wear Sunscreen Every Day

    You don't have to lather up with Coppertone, but there are plenty of daily lotions that contain SPF. It's especially important to wear a face lotion with sunscreen, since that's where most of your sun exposure happens.

  • 2

    Limit Sun Exposure

    If you don't have to be out in the sun, then stay inside. If you do have to be outside for a long period of time, try to stay in the shade.

  • 3

    Avoid Tanning Beds

    Scientific studies have proven that tanning beds can cause skin cancer. The artificial light is very harsh on your skin and it's not worth taking the risk.

  • 4

    Keep Your Skin Covered

    Another fail-proof way to keep the sun off your skin is to cover it up. Even just a wide-brimmed hat and some sunglasses can work wonders.

  • 5

    Get Professional Skin Exams

    While you might feel comfortable with your level of skin protection, you'll never know how healthy your skin truly is until a dermatologist takes a look. And if you go regularly, a doctor will notice changes in your skin that could be vital to preventing cancer.

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