Sensitive Skin

One of the most common skin types and problems is that of sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can affect any part of a persons body, however this condition usually affects the face, hands, arms and legs and its symptons can include:

• The reddening of the skin in blotches as a reaction of many shaving and skin care products
• Painful rashes can appear as a result of certain foods or fragrances.
• Irritating and general itchiness of the skin in reaction to certain products.
• Broken red veins may appear on the cheeks and nose, and
• The skin may suddenly become red and tight when exposed to heat or direct sunlight.

Causes Of Sensitive Skin

In this type of skin , the sebaceous glands in a persons skin that produce the skins protective oil layer are weak and not creating enough sebum to protect the skin from irritants. This lack of this protective layer also makes sufferers of sensitive skin particularly prone to dry skin problems and can result in the following symptoms: stinging, itching, breakouts, patchy redness and rashes. Other symptoms to note can include skin that is dry, flaky, sore and tight. There are many factors that can affect and cause sensitive skin, these are:

• Stress. Never underestimate the effects of stress on your body, in recent research two-thirds of all visits to a doctor were found to be involving stress related conditions.
• The weather. Constant changes or extreme changes in the weather (especially during the winter or summer months where there is less moisture in the air) can disrupt the balance of the sebaceous glands that produce your skins protective oil layer.
• Age. Age can have an immeasurable effect on your skin as different ages can trigger different hormone reactions that effect the amount of oil your skin produces.
• Dyes and fragrances. Dyes and fragrances contain a lot of chemical products that can irritate and harm the skin.
• Heavy pollution. Pollution has a fair effect on the skin and with heavy pollution dirt and dust from the environment can build up on the skin and inhibit the sebaceous glands either limiting the amount of protective oil produced or blocking the glands completely causing oily skin.
• Cosmetics that are used. Certain cosmetic products can block skin pores and restrict the sebaceous glands restricting the skins protective layer from regenerating. Other cosmetic products can also aggravate a mild pre-existing sensitive skin condition and make it much worse.
• Having an excessive amount of baths and showers. This is bad for your skin as after prolonged periods of time the water breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin which help it maintain moisture and protective oils.
• Bad dietary habits. Here a poor diet and inadequate fluid intake can leave the skin dehydrated and un-replenished.
• Pre-existing genetic skin conditions, such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or ichthyosis.

How To Care And Prevent Sensitive Skin - Top Ten Tips

There are a number of ways a sufferer of sensitive skin can reduce and care for their condition, these include:

1.  Whilst having sensitive skin may not directly be a disease, if there are any major reoccuring signs or symptons there may be an underlying skin condition that you are unaware of such as: dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or ichthyosis. Many of these skin conditions are treatable if not managable and can be helped from over-the-counter medications or a dermatologist.
2. If your skin is particularly effected by extreme weather conditions always use the highest strength sun block available during sunny periods. Also try to use a relatively thin moisturising lotion or cream during the summer periods and then switch to a thicker more oily oinment during the winter if you do not react badly to these products.
3. Uses as little cosmetics and other extra skin care products as possible as these may cause constant irratation. If you must use cosmetics or skin care products you must ensure that they are all natural hypo-allergenic products, which irritate and inflame the skin less.
4. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day as this will prevent the skin from drying out too much which actually stimulates the skin into producing more oil.
5. Keep your skin as clean as possible using a good quality facial wash twice a day as this will often help to unclog the pores and reduce the amount of dirt on the face. Couple this with a facial scrub three times a week and an oil and wax free moisturiser that will leave the skin matt, once a day and your sensitive skin problem will reduce itself significantly.
6. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which may aid and help to prevent sensitive skin reactions.
7. Try to minimize contact with your face, this is due to the fact that people suffering from sensitive skin tend to pick up dirt and grime easily causing reactions. This has the effect however of adding additional chemicals to your skins natural balance and causing blotchy outbreaks. This is especially true with your face as this is the most sensitive area of your body.
8. If you suffer from sensitive skin all over your body, Try to wear clothing made of cotton or cotton blend. This is due to the fact wool and synthetic fabrics have the downside of causing skin irritation.
9. Get the right amount of sleep. They don't call it beauty sleep for nothing, having the correct amount of sleeping time is viatal to help your skin regenerate. This is also the time when the skin is allowed to breathe, if you have worn make up all day.

Finally don't forget that your skin is fragile and if you take good care of it, it will take good care of YOU!

Dr Shave

 

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