Sensitive Skin - The Basic Facts
60% of the population have some element of sensitivity within their skin, whether it’s as severe as rosacea or simply underlying sensitivity, it is nevertheless a challenging skin type to effectively treat. If sensitivity isn’t dealt with correctly, it can lead to dryness, dehydration or premature aging and of course the sensitivity can worsen over time.
An individual is not born with sensitive skin; sensitivity is something that develops, whether through the use of poor quality ingredients or the harsh effects of lifestyle conditions and environment. Analysis of parts of the UK in which people are subject to more extreme climate conditions i.e., Scotland and Ireland, reveals that a far greater percentage of the population have ‘sensitive skin’ than in more temperate environments. It is important to ensure that extra special care is dedicated to sensitive skin to strengthen, calm and soothe it, especially as skin sensitivity is notably on the increase. This escalation is due to such factors as increasingly stressful lifestyles, climate change, pollution, hormonal influences, diet and poor ingredients that can be found in some cosmetic products; Mineral Oil, Lanolin, Isopropyl Myristate, P.A.B.A., Alcohol, Fragrance, Colourings, Formaldehyde and Urocanic Acid all contribute to a weakening of the skin’s barrier, causing sensitivity and/or irritation.
In normal healthy skin, the Stratum Corneum provides a protective barrier to help defend against environmental aggression. When the skin becomes sensitive, this is a sign that the Stratum Corneum is not as well formed and will have a basket-weave appearance that allows external aggressors to
penetrate more easily and cause a reaction.
When asked, a large percentage of clients will assume that they have sensitive skin, possibly because they have reacted to a product in the past, they go red very easily, or may be prone to sunburn; these factors should always be taken into consideration and are usually highlighted when a skin
consultation takes place. It is essential to have a thorough skin consultation prior to prescribing any professional skin care products or carrying out any professional treatments; without a thorough skin diagnosis and information on the history of the client’s skin, the therapist will not know of any
previous complications and is therefore highly unlikely to provide the correct or most suitable treatment.
Sensitivity within the skin can manifest itself in many ways, such as the appearance of the classic flushed look on the cheek area or visible broken capillaries; however, it could be another skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis. A skin consultation will help the therapist to identify
whether the skin suffers from any of these conditions, which is why these consultations are such an integral part of the treatment process.
Any type of sensitivity usually has one or more triggers which can make the condition appear worse; an eczema sufferer may find that certain detergents can cause their condition to flare up; an individual with rosacea may find that their skin becomes aggravated by drinking red wine or hot drinks; someone with psoriasis may find that stress is their key trigger. As demonstrated, there are many external factors to be aware of and finding out each individual trigger will enable more effective control of the skin condition.
As well as the external factors that can affect skin, ensuring use of the correct skincare is also another vital point to consider. As previously mentioned, there are a number of ingredients to watch out for as, although they are present in a wide range of products, they can have enormously
detrimental effects on the skin. Sufferers of rosacea can take advantage of the RS2 line, specifically designed to address this condition with liquorice, green tea and chamomile, all of which have soothing and calming properties and work at controlling rosacea. If eczema or psoriasis are concerns
then healing ingredients as found in Pevonia’s Propolis Concentrate are excellent at helping to reduce the affected area. For particularly dry and flaky skin, Pevonia products and treatments containing hyaluronic acid, such as the Floracide Facial, would be of benefit as it is a renowned moisturising
ingredient with the ability to hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water, making it incredibly hydrating for the skin.
Sensitivity is categorised in the following manner:
-Natural sensitivity; this is the category for those with very fair skin that perhaps burn easily in the sun. This is also dependant on lifestyle, so those in a colder climate would naturally experience some element of sensitivity within the skin. For this type of sensitivity, a good skin care routine is needed which nourishes, regenerates and builds tolerance within the skin. Therefore, take extra care in extreme weather conditions, whether it’s hot or cold, and treat skin to professional skin care and regular professional facials, during which a skin care specialist can provide further direction and
advice to achieve maximum benefits and visible restoration.
-Traumatised sensitivity; this includes skin rashes such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Psoriasis is a skin condition in which skin cells reproduce too quickly, every few days compared to the normal 21-28 day cycle, and it affects around 2% of the UK population. In psoriasis the renewal process speeds up; as a result, cells build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, causing red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales. These patches are then shed easily. It can occur on any part of the body although it's most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back and the scalp.
It can also cause itching and burning. The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some people it's just a minor irritation, but for others it has a major impact on quality of life. There is no cure for psoriasis but there are natural products available that will help to alleviate the symptoms without having to turn to steroid creams or strong medicated products.
Eczema is another skin complaint that can cause traumatised sensitivity within the skin. Any part of the body may be affected by eczema but it occurs most commonly on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. In children and adults, eczema classically occurs on the face, neck,
and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles. Pricky heat is a rash that can occur on the skin and is usually attributed to sun exposure although it often can be a consequence of the ingredients found within sun screens. For this reason, always check the ingredients on the label as PABA is present in a number of sun screens and can actually cause this particular skin complaint. Pevonia’s Hydrating Sun Screen is free from reactive agents that can cause prickly heat.
-Rosacea; this is a serious condition which is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed; it has been known as ‘the great pretender’ as the early stages of Rosacea can be confused with acne, mild sensitivity and even sunburn. Now, however, the condition is noticed more often and is becoming more common, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment. Rosacea affects mainly the face, although it has been additionally seen on the scalp, neck, chest and back area. Symptoms can initially start with facial flushing; other factors common to this condition are spots and persistent redness as tiny blood vessels in the skin become more visible. In severe cases the skin around the nose can become very thick and enlarged and the eyes watery and irritated. It affects twice as many women as men, although the condition presents severer symptoms in males than in females. Generally the symptoms start between the ages of 30-50 and tend to be more common in fair skinned people with blue eyes from Northern Europe, though it can affect children and people of any skin type. Most experts believe that 2-5% of people are affected by the condition.
Sensitivity can reduce dramatically over time but for this to happen, skin needs to be guided towards the correct products and most suitable treatments in order to strengthen, nourish and restore calm to highly sensitive areas. Pevonia’s Sensitive Skin Line, Special Line for hyper-sensitivity, and RS2 Line for Rosacea will work to combat and reduce the specific concerns that each condition raises in the
skin while additionally strengthening the skin against future flare ups, especially when used in conjunction with the corresponding in-spa treatments.
