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Sensitive skin is not limited to the face
C Saint-Martory1, A M Roguedas-Contios, V Sibaud
1CERPER, Pierre Fabre Research Institute, Toulouse, France.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|November 8, 2007
Summary
Sensitive skin, characterized by redness and discomfort, is common and not limited to the face. This study found it frequently affects hands, scalp, and feet, triggered by various environmental and cosmetic factors.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cosmetology
Background:
- Sensitive skin, also known as reactive or hyper-reactive skin, affects approximately 50% of the European population.
- It is defined by erythema and/or subjective symptoms like burning or itching in response to non-pathogenic stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sensitive skin occurs in localizations beyond the face.
- To identify the prevalence and common sites of sensitive skin.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study was conducted in two centers (dermatology and cosmetology).
- 400 women over 15 years old were surveyed about their sensitive skin experiences, including location, symptoms, and triggers.
Main Results:
- 85% reported facial sensitive skin, while 70% experienced it elsewhere, primarily on hands (58%), scalp (36%), and feet (34%).
- Common triggers included cold, heat, stress, sun exposure, wind, water, soaps, cosmetics, and pollution.
- Redness accompanied by subjective symptoms was the most reported presentation.
Conclusions:
- Sensitive skin is not exclusive to the face and frequently occurs on hands, scalp, and feet.
- While the overall prevalence might be overestimated, the study confirms extracephalic localizations are common.
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