Do You Have Sensitive Skin?

Written by: Kathleen Williams

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.

Kathleen Williams is the developer of the Dermanesse Professional Home Microdermabrasion System, an alternative to professional treatments. She is an expert on sensitive skin.

Do You Have Sensitive Skin?

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