TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Sensitive Skin A1 - Baumann, Leslie A2 - Baumann, Leslie A2 - Saghari, Sogol A2 - Weisberg, Edmund Y1 - 2009 N1 - T2 - Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice, 2e AB - Sensitive skin is a condition characterized by hyperreactivity to environmental factors. Individuals experiencing this condition report exaggerated reactions to topical personal care products that may or may not be associated with visible symptoms. Approximately 50% of patients with sensitive skin manifest their uncomfortable symptoms without accompanying visible signs of inflammation.1 Sensitive skin can be very distressing to those who have it. Affected individuals often have to travel with their own skin care products because they cannot use the skin care products provided in a hotel. These patients are the ones who should not experiment with skin care products, but should find what works for them and stick with it. Cosmetic companies realize the importance of avoiding marketing products with ingredients that aggravate sensitive skin. Most of the larger well-known companies conduct skin sensitivity testing of their products prior to launch; however, occasionally, a product will sneak through undetected that causes symptoms in sensitive skin types. This is a significant problem for companies when it occurs because 78% of consumers who have sensitive skin state that they have avoided a particular product or brand because of past skin reactions.2 Those with frequent skin reactions learn to limit their use of skin products to the few that do not cause irritation in order to avoid the annoyance of redness and itching that can interfere with everyday activities. Those with frequent skin reactions report a decrease in quality of life and frustration is a common complaint. In a French study of more than 2000 individuals, it was found that those with sensitive skin reported a poorer quality of life compared to those without sensitive skin using the SF-12 questionnaire.3 However, depressive symptoms were no more common in those with sensitive skin as compared to those with “normal” skin. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1172446241 ER -