Do You Have Sensitive Skin?
Did you know that sensitive skin is very common? More than 40%
of people say they have it. The causes include age, heredity,
gender, and racial differences. The questions below can help you
find out if your skin may be sensitive. Of course, a trip to
your dermatologist is the best way to find out!
1. Does your skin get extra dry after you wash it with soap? 2.
Does your skin get extra oily and break out after you use
particular types of moisturizers?
If you answered "yes" to one or both of these questions, you may
have sensitive skin.
3. Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after
coming into direct or indirect contact with perfumes and/or
particular shampoos, shaving creams, detergents, dish soaps,
hair sprays, cleaning products, or deodorants?
Many household and personal products irritate sensitive skin.
The fragrances and dyes in just about every household product,
and many personal care products, can cause irritation either
from direct contact or even from deposits left on your clothes,
towels, or bedding. If you have any of the classic signs and
symptoms of sensitive skin in Question 3, try to use
hypoallergenic products without ingredients known to cause skin
reactions.
4. Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after
extended exposure to sun, wind, heat, or cold? Sensitive skin
often reacts to extreme weather conditions. In fact, anything in
the environment that damages your skin's natural protective
barrier against water evaporation -- called sebum -- can
irritate sensitive skin.
5. Do you have acne or psoriasis? People with acne, psoriasis,
or skin conditions like eczema often have sensitive skin. These
conditions impair immune system functioning and/or destroy the
skin's protective barrier. If you have of these conditions, you
may have sensitive skin.
TRY THIS SENSITIVE SKIN TEST
Use a home microdermabrasion product on the soft skin of your
inner forearm for a minute. Wait awhile to see the results. If
you have irritation and redness similar to a minor sunburn, this
is normal after a real microdermabrasion treatment. If you
experience more discomfort, then you may have sensitive skin and
should limit your first couple of microdermabrasion treatments
to one minute. For extremely sensitive skin, apply a moisturizer
before sponge application to reduce irritation.
After a few treatments, your skin may adjust to home
microdermabrasion and you can extend your time a little each
treatment until you reach three minutes. If you have little or
no irritation, redness or peeling after a test or treatment, you
may have less sensitive skin, or your skin may be adapting to
the treatments. If that happens, increase your treatment time
gradually up to five minutes over the entire face. Always start
with a lighter pressure and adjust for your skin type as needed.
Thicker, less sensitive skin may be able to handle a little more
pressure.