Denver, CO
“The decrease in snowfall and snowpack in Colorado has not only had a significant impact on the skiing and boarding industry, but also our skin,” says Denver dermatologist Joel Cohen, MD. “Less snowpack not only means less drinking water (in Colorado, a large percentage of our water comes from snow), but an increase in forest fires, too. According to United States Geological Survey, another contributor to forest fires are mountain pine beetles, which eat away at the bark and make trees more vulnerable to catching fire. The pollutants from these flames can lead to skin conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis, which we often treat with ceramides, prescription creams and in-office treatments like lasers.”