Some people have to deal with such a problem as sensitive skin almost daily. With this type of skin, the skin overreacts to exogenous or endogenous stimuli that are quite common for other people (chemical, physical, hormonal, etc.), and foci of irritation, peeling, rashes or redness appear on their surface. Such pathological changes may be accompanied by subjective sensations: pain, burning, tingling or tingling.

It is only natural that a person sensitive skin asks questions about the cause of such violations and tries to cope with the problems that arise. In most cases, to find out the root causes of such a reaction of the skin to various irritants, it is necessary to seek advice from a dermatocosmetologist. An experienced doctor will be able to identify the cause of such disorders and prescribe the treatment of the underlying disease (if any). Taking into account all the data on the condition of the skin, the specialist will be able to recommend the right skin care regimen and select cosmetic care products and salon procedures.

In this article, we will introduce you to the causes of skin sensitivity and the basic principles of skin care. This information will help you avoid mistakes and take timely action to eliminate problems associated with skin sensitivity.

What is sensitive skin?

Cosmetologists call the skin sensitive in those cases when it is prone to severe irritability and the appearance of unpredictable reactions to the usual external or internal factors. According to the statistics of some surveys, 2/3 of the women in Central Europe face such problems. People with this type of skin may experience skin reactions to cold or hot air, decorative or caring cosmetics, water, stressful situations or overwork. After exposure to one or another factor, small and itchy rashes, redness and peeling appear on the skin. Often these external manifestations are accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the form of tingling, burning, tingling or pain.

More often, light- or red-haired women with thin skin and blue, green, or gray eyes suffer from skin sensitivity problems. This is explained by the fact that with such a color type of appearance it has a less thin stratum corneum, it contains less melanin, and the sebaceous glands produce less sebum. All these factors characteristic of sensitive skin make it more vulnerable to external and internal stimuli.

Sometimes the sensitivity of the skin to various external or internal factors is confused with skin diseases or allergic reactions. A detailed examination prescribed by a dermatologist will help eliminate such errors. As a rule, the sudden appearance of signs of skin reactivity, which is not due to any specific reasons, indicates the sensitivity of the skin.

Causes of increased skin sensitivity

External and internal factors can provoke increased sensitivity of the skin. In some cases, there may be several reasons for the appearance of unusual reactions on the skin. As a rule, the more factors provoke hypersensitivity, the worse the skin condition.

The main external factors of increased skin sensitivity:

• cold wind or low air temperature;
• ultra-violet rays;
• dry air;
• sharp fluctuations in temperature;
• professional activity: work in premises contaminated with harmful substances, contact with chemicals, latex and aggressive physical factors;
• contact with household chemicals (especially if they contain such aggressive substances as propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, benzoyl peroxide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylaminopropylamine, etc.);
• shaving (especially if it is performed frequently and alcohol-containing cosmetics are used after it);
• frequent visits to the bath or sauna;
• strenuous physical training;
• the use of low-quality cosmetics or their wrong choice;
• long-term treatment of skin diseases with retinoids or corticosteroids;
• traumatic skin cosmetic or: laser resurfacing, micro- and dermabrasion, TCA peels, lifting, blepharoplasty, etc.

The main internal factors of increased skin sensitivity:

• hereditary predisposition: structural features of the skin or weakness of the vascular wall;
• food: spicy or hot food, chocolate, coffee, cheese;
• bad habits: alcoholic drinks, smoking;
• dermatological diseases: eczema, dermatitis (, perioral,), psoriasis, xerosis, rosacea, etc .;
• hormonal disorders or changes: pregnancy, premenstrual or menopausal syndrome, endocrinological diseases;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• imbalance of intestinal microflora;
• allergic or immunological diseases;
• delayed or immediate hypersensitivity.

In recent years, cosmetologists and dermatologists have noted an increase in the number of young people with sensitive skin. They attribute this to the following changes:

• increase in the number of patients with psycho-emotional disorders;
• frequent hormonal imbalances;
• environmental degradation;
• irrational nutrition;
• increase in the number of somatic diseases;
• excessive addiction to sunburn;
• increase in the number of people with bad habits;
• lack of proper care and treatment of skin with acne.

In more adulthood skin sensitivity is often reduced. This is due to the onset of menopause, during which there is a decrease in the number of superficial nerve fibers (C-fibers). Due to such changes, the skin becomes less sensitive and the symptoms of its reactivity gradually disappear.

What are the symptoms of sensitive skin?

Symptoms of skin hypersensitivity can be observed in people with dry, oily or combination skin. Signs of hyperreactivity are always individual in nature and can manifest themselves to varying degrees (depending on the aggressiveness and duration of exposure to the provoking factor).

Symptoms of skin sensitivity may include:

• rash;
• peeling;
• areas of redness;
• burning;
• tingling;
• tingling;
• feeling of tightness or discomfort.

The above symptoms appear immediately after exposure to a certain adverse factor (for example, a cold wind or a cosmetic product) or after a certain period of time. Sometimes, hypersensitivity skin can lead to a state of skin intolerance (i.e., under the influence of a negative factor, a skin reaction occurs instantly).

According to statistics, dry skin is the most sensitive. This is due to the fact that in the thickness of such skin there is a smaller number of sebaceous glands or their activity is significantly reduced. The horny layer of the skin under such conditions cannot reliably protect the skin from external influences and various harmful substances, allergens or microorganisms. These unfavorable factors provoke the state of skin reactivity.

The localization of skin hypersensitivity reactions may be different, but they are more often observed on the skin of the face. This is due to the fact that it is on the skin of the face that a greater number of superficial sensory nerve fibers are located.

What should people with sensitive skin do?

Sensitive skin problems will be solved by a specialist who will select the appropriate skin care products.

To solve problems caused by skin sensitivity, you need to contact a dermatocosmetologist. The doctor will be able to establish the true causes of skin reactivity, prescribe a course of treatment for the patient and teach how to properly care for the skin. The tactics of solving the problem in such cases is always individual. For some patients, it is enough to protect themselves from the effects of adverse factors or choose the right cosmetics, while others have to undergo a course of treatment for the underlying disease.

To solve the problem of hypersensitivity of the skin, the doctor may recommend:

• undergo a course of treatment for the underlying disease;
• take preparations to strengthen the skin: trace elements, vitamins, plant extracts, lecithin, fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), phytoestrogens, etc.;
• adjust lifestyle: do not include foods that provoke unwanted skin reactions in the diet, refuse bad habits, sunbathing, visiting a sauna or bath, exclude temperature fluctuations;
• Take good care of your skin and use the right cosmetics.

1. To cleanse the skin, use only warm water at a comfortable temperature.
2. Do not carry out steaming and contrasting procedures (for example, refuse to wipe your face with an ice cube or perform steam baths and inhalations).
3. Refuse peels or carry them out only during a stable remission.
4. To cleanse the skin, use products with a light texture, including bisabolol, azulene, panthenol or allantoin.
5. In the cold season, use protective creams.
6. In spring and summer, before going out, be sure to apply sunscreen with a protective factor of at least 30-50.
7. The composition of caring creams should include components that replenish moisture and substances that have anti-inflammatory, vascular-strengthening, soothing, regenerating and antioxidant effects. These include: ceramides, phytoestrogens, natural oils, extracts of green tea, blueberries, lavender, aloe, red grapes and witch hazel.

People with sensitive skin are recommended to use only cosmetic products. famous brands or pharmaceutical cosmetics.

Salon treatments for sensitive skin

To solve the problems of sensitive skin, patients during an exacerbation can be prescribed the following salon procedures:

• ozone therapy - has anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating and antioxidant effects;
• microcurrent therapy - normalizes the condition of the skin at the cellular level, eliminates signs of inflammatory reactions, restores the structure of the skin and strengthens blood vessels.

During a stable remission, an experienced cosmetologist can sometimes prescribe retinoid and superficial peels (salicylic, almond, glycolic, milk). Before performing them, a sensitivity test is mandatory.

Why did my soul yearn
be reincarnated on Earth?
Where did you rush? Wings beat,
went down to the people, emboldened.
I looked furtively from heaven,
finding a gap between the clouds,
who wanted to know in the crowd
among rascals, fools?
What evil has seduced her,
turning away from paradise life? ¶
Earthly happiness beckoned
poisoning the heart with love.
Have you seen? The star has fallen! ¶
People froze, not breathing.
No, not a star the sky is not enough for me! ¶
then my soul rushed down.

Autumn

In nature there are four seasons.
Of these, I chose the saddest:
gilding flows from the trees
and the rain shakes the silver chandelier.
The garden was empty, hushed, plundered.
Bird orchestras fell silent harmonies,
and the janitor, wearily turning a rake,
rakes the last gold into heaps.
I'll walk down the alley like I'm walking through a cemetery
golden graves forgotten by people.
Why did I come here? What am I looking for here? ¶
Probably buried her summer

Wind. Concerto in A minor

From above the wind calls the people,
tries a voice, takes a chord,
touching the string of the telegraph line,
please don't pass by!
Intellectuals, take off your hats
here in front of you almost Chaliapin!
His voice is purer than crystal
and the station square La Scala.
Music by Mozart, Bach, Beethoven
repertoire for the enchanted soul.
"Bravo!" shout, give bouquets
these last delights of summer
The audience shudders, their backs hunchback,
thinks only of soft beds,
about blankets and hot fireplaces,
everyone dreams of raspberry tea.
One at a time, with mock reluctance,
people dive into the sleeve of the gateway.
Blinding neon light
The wind sings, but there is no spectator
After the concert in the dull backstage
he is destroyed, crushed, booed
I got drunk with grief and comprehended grief,
lay down in the orchestra pit and verse.

Waltz

Flawless lost luster
sunken foliage ships.
We performed the last dance
half a step circling from the earth,
flying away, gliding, returning
tiptoe waltz, encore dance,
admiring, loving and saying goodbye,
and falling down to the music
Circle after circle at your fingertips
black tailcoat, snow-white hem
we performed the last dance,
reaching for the top "to".
In a moment, the piano will be silent,
resting in the corner of the double bass,
only the wind is cheeky and drunk
applauds, torturing us.

* * *

Our Service Relations
tied to the Internet, files and other things;
short letters, by the force of attraction
sent by email;
on rare phone calls, meetings
over a cup of strong coffee, and only on business;
on the ambiguity of pauses phenomena of speech,
stretched with a bowstring to the limit,
and on fluids; in the process of communication
on the observance of conventions and decency
Maybe our relationship
over time will become personal? ..

* * *

“I like that you are not sick with me”
M. Tsvetaeva

I like that you are in virtual reality
stay. You are a man of progress
and I keep reading books, chatting platitudes,
we have different interests.
I like the distance between us
and the range of motion can be varied.
Doesn't this sound like a strange dance to you? ¶
Yes, it's all about imagination
I like how you politely know how
accept a coat, offer coffee,
and how you skillfully control yourself
unflappable is your gothic profile.
I like that you're not the type to ask
about former lovers and partners.
Like you, I color people in my mind
in any color, just not black.
Thank you for not moving
the borders of my vast domains,
that you spend your time without me,
not looking for common ground.
Thank you for our habits and weaknesses
do not intersect in the plane of life.
And yet with our monstrous difference
You just love me unconditionally.

* * *

Hunchback Indian, roguish god
teasing and angering me, an earring swinging in my ear
yours (again looking for a catch in everything
and an explanation that I'm out of sorts!)
clings to a strand of your hair,
whispers obscenities and fairy tales,
plays (I'm mad, but without a voice)
flute songs and lavish caresses
I'm beside myself, I'm staring like a fool
on your earlobe (hunchback, answer!);
in my soul and in my thoughts a complete mess ...
His trap trick! and now my fetish

* * *

A circle is drawn around me
from your strong hands
I'm in their ring, and on the porch
drops measured knock.
Night flies through the window as an owl
get even or help?
And the hour lingers, saving us,
but feelings can not be overcome.
And the heart falls without pain
like an apple out of hand,
he is not sorry: one sadness,
that the circle will open

Dream

To be a water lily
cool your feverish forehead,
petals on your chest
and fall asleep
And mermaid dreams
they are confused and strange,
and pray for love to ignite
fish blood.
And look in the face of the moon
Are her cheekbones pale?
Just like a ghostly kiss
water jets.

* * *

In the dead of night, dogs cry softly
and the lunar circle sinks in stagnant water,
and mothers of children hide from the evil eye,
and the seer becomes blind.
In the dead of night forest birds are silent,
wolves, lynxes, wolverines do not roam,
but only fears, fears prowling food
The hand goes numb, destroying the cross on a wave.

* * *

If something bad happens
and all your angels can't help
my soul, having overcome the great miles,
will bring relief to you, cutting through the night.
She kneels at the edge of the bed
descend in your darkest hour
and will pray that we survive
and now, and forever, and just now
She will embrace you with all her love
what I have accumulated from the first day,
and on this impenetrable night, owl
to the light will return you from the bottom.
When hope for the best dawns,
hell will seem like an ordinary nightmare,
my sinful soul, sick and tormented
Will you be strong enough to go back?

kitty

What does a domestic cat need? ¶
A little love and affection
to have an owner
and would not have a soul in her.
He will come tired from work,
and the cat is already rubbing against the boots.
Forget about yesterday's worries,
he will take her on his knees,
and the cat is painfully habitual
purrs in his ear
about how all day at the window
bored house cat
waiting patiently for the owner
and even cried inadvertently
The owner caresses her
and immediately melts into the heart
As soon as the night falls,
the cat will curl up in a ball,
lies next to the owner,
tell a wonderful story.
Let dinner get cold in the kitchen
they don't need anyone else.
Not everyone happiness in a basket,
but every woman is a cat.

Night

Imperceptibly disappeared behind the dunes
sun wandering monk.
The bowl of night leaned towards the Earth
on the great heavenly scales
and scattered the stars like seeds,
and sowed good dreams.
Reflected the constellations of the lake,
and the clock slowed down

Lullaby (1)

Hush, Little Baby, Do not Say a Word,
I sing a little song.
Sleep, little one, sleep
you will see paradise in your dream.
Angels are circling in the sky
softly fluttering wings
inflate clouds
their road is long
over the sea, over the ocean
endless caravan.
There, far away valleys
the giant sun slumbers.
There walks the cat Bayun,
hush, Little Baby, Do not Say a Word.
He rocks the cradle
there for distant lands.
The baby sleeps in the cradle
the angel keeps her dream.
Bye-bye-bye-bye
only children dream of heaven

Lullaby (2)

Having overcome the chimes,
the dream bird has flown
purple wing
covered the house like an umbrella,
twinkling stars through it
dim beads, star bridge
over the sky river
spreading peace.
The wind fell asleep obediently.
The bee and the moth sleep
dragonfly and swallowtail.
A gray elephant sleeps in the zoo.
A whale naps in the ocean.
The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
Aspen sleeps, grass sleeps,
yes, it's time for you and me

* * *

I didn't sleep at night
sang songs,
another took them
quail.
About love and sadness
cries, marches
only you didn't notice
in false songs
Wrapped around the finger
very simple,
only you didn't recognize
perfidy.
What is her conscience? Not Charter,
everything is fun.
My voice became distant
like an echo.
You will not hear, you will not save
God's will
cross over, cross over
life is like a field

Argument

You spoke with hysterical sobs.
I was silent, choosing my words.
You accused, you poured reproaches.
I looked through you on the boulevard
on people walking somewhere by
I would love to be among them! ¶
and you, smearing the remnants of makeup,
continued to mourn the two of us.
You've been waiting, listening to the silence,
hoping to hear "I love", "I'm sorry"
and I, like a tree that has grown into the ground,
wanted and could not leave you

sensitive organ. The entire surface of the skin is covered with nerve endings, which are responsible for the transmission of sensations received in the peripheral parts of the body. The function of the skin nerve receptor system is to transmit information about its contacts with environmental factors. In addition to these sensations, irritations caused by inflammatory reactions of the skin affect the sensitive system of nerve fibers. All of them, as a rule, are perceived by her quite naturally.

THE CONCEPT OF "SENSITIVE SKIN" difficult to determine scientifically. Skin sensitivity can be considered as hyperreactivity of the skin, not associated with allergic or immunological mechanisms. This increased reactivity is expressed as a decrease in the skin's tolerance threshold to external stimuli, which are usually well tolerated. That is, this skin is characterized by a faster or more powerful reaction, compared to normal, to the same negative factor and under the same conditions. It is most often thin, mostly dry, reactive, prone to irritation, allergy, and is often characterized by objective or subjective signs of discomfort.

MEDICALLY the terms "sensitive skin" and "reactive skin" can be considered identical.

Skin sensitivity can be hereditary, acquired or conditional, and idiopathic (no apparent cause).

• Hereditary skin sensitivity(genetically sensitive skin) is observed in 5-10% of owners of sensitive skin. Its characteristic feature is that it is genetically and constitutionally vulnerable. It appears mainly in patients with atopy, with dry skin with a tendency to atopy, in couperose or allergic areas.
• Acquired skin sensitivity, or conditioned, skin sensitivity (normal skin becomes sensitive) occurs in 30% of people with sensitive skin. It's about about normal skin that has become sensitive under the influence of external (sun, cold, heating, wind, diet, fatigue, stress, etc.) or internal (intensive medical treatment, e.g. acne) factors, which have led to a decrease in the ability of the skin to adapt, as well as a weakening of its role as a natural barrier, which facilitates the penetration of irritating active substances that can cause tingling, itching, burning or irritation.
• idiopathic(caused by unknown cause) skin sensitivity occurs in 60% of cases of sensitive skin. This particular condition, with no apparent cause, is clearly defined. As a rule, it is characteristic of those people who claim that their skin "cannot stand anything else."

Skin sensitivity is manifested by subjective and, sometimes, objective signs. People with sensitive skin experience significant discomfort, manifested by neurosensory symptoms: itching, feeling of tightness, tingling, burning. From time to time, pronounced symptoms may appear: dryness, diffuse redness, peeling, rosacea. As a rule, skin lesions are localized on the face, but in some cases they can spread to the scalp (usually in combination with dandruff) and other parts of the body. The sensitivity of the skin develops gradually, periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of relief and last from several days to several months.

Cosmetics Doctor Spiller (Dr.Spiller Biocosmetic) series- CARE AND TREATMENT OF SENSITIVE SKIN.

CAUSES (FACTORS) AFFECTING SKIN SENSITIVITY

Internal factors:

• Skin type: Among the 60% of women who consider their skin sensitive or reactive, 40% have dry skin, 25% have normal or oily skin.
• Phototype: light phototypes I and II (light and very light skin) are hypersensitive; pigmented skin is less prone to irritation than fair skin.
• Age: Children's skin is more sensitive and vulnerable than adults'.
• Gender: According to women, they have more sensitive skin than men; 60% consider her sensitive or reactive, while among the stronger sex this figure is 30%.
• Neurological factor: psychological vulnerability is a factor that deepens the existing manifestations.
• Hormonal factors: signs of skin reactivity in women may be directly related to hormonal background and the menstrual cycle.
• Anamnesis.

External factors:

• Environment: cold, heat, temperature changes, polluted air, solar radiation can serve as factors that lead to increased skin sensitivity.
• Lifestyle: emotions, stress, alcohol, tobacco, spicy foods, stimulants, in particular tea and coffee, are factors that increase the sensitivity of the skin.
• The use of cosmetics: the use of water with a high content of lime, as well as cosmetic products unsuitable for a particular skin type, is the first cause of discomfort; among the classic irritants recognized in cosmetics are solvents, surfactants, retinoids, benzoyl dioxide, urea, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids and others.
• Professional activities: frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun, contact with detergents, water, frequent microtrauma or friction are harmful factors that can damage the skin barrier.

The driving forces of the body that can cause the described hyperreactivity are still relatively little understood. Sensitive skin is not the result of an allergic mechanism. It seems that there is a complex or separate influence of several factors.

Skin barrier disorders. The skin is daily exposed to the factors described above, leading to an increase in the permeability of the skin and a breakdown of the microcirculation in it (which is the cause of redness). The barrier function in this case is violated, the resistance threshold of the skin is reduced, which makes it more reactive and vulnerable to aggressive external influences. Damaged skin tissue allows penetration of irritants that cause the release of inflammatory mediators.

Vascular disorders. At the level of the dermis, even the slightest irritation can lead to vascular disorders, causing leukocyte infiltration and edema, as well as an inflammatory reaction, which manifests itself in the reverse precipitation of arachidonic acid metabolites (simple glandins, leukotrienes).

Neurogenic phenomena. Irritant agents can also stimulate the release of neurotransmitters that underlie the onset of pain (a subjective sign of skin sensitivity). Sensory neurons are activated:

• a direct irritant causing the release of substance P;
• immunological or inflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotriene), which enhance the inflammatory response.

FROM SENSITIVE TO ALLERGIC SKIN

Sensitive or reactive skin- this is a general term that defines changes that can be the result of the cumulative action of several negative factors and are always characterized by subjective signs (the appearance of discomfort) described above. These changes can appear at any time in life and regardless of skin type.

If the skin is exposed to harmful influences on a daily basis (climatic conditions, cosmetics that do not suit its type, aggressive dermatological treatments), this can lead to an increase in its degree of vulnerability. If the skin does not tolerate certain cosmetics, hygiene products or medicines, we can talk about very sensitive skin. Clinically, this is manifested by the appearance of irritant contact dermatitis, in which subjective symptoms are combined with objective ones. As a rule, these symptoms appear quickly, are observed for a more or less long period and may recur during the day.

Moreover, in the case of vulnerable, very sensitive skin, the following negative events:

• due to damage to the stratum corneum, the penetration of allergens improves, which leads to the occurrence of allergic reactions in people predisposed to them;
• on the other hand, such skin is prone to premature aging due to the formation of free radicals.

skin allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system that can occur in people who are predisposed to such diseases (for example, with a history of atopy) or sensitized as a result of repeated exposure to allergens. It is characterized by reactivity only to a certain chemical substance (or substances of one group). Clinically, an allergy to cosmetics is manifested by erythema, itching, skin rash or eczema. In this case, itching is present in any case. When a person becomes sensitive to certain means, with each repeated application, skin symptoms appear (however, they are temporary and reversible). Allergological studies indicate an ever-increasing frequency of allergic reactions to perfumes, antiseptics, and chemical filters.

Why does hypersensitivity appear?

Hypersensitivity of the skin is not only uncomfortable or uncomfortable, but also quite painful, not to mention irritable. In the medical field, skin soreness is usually defined by one term - allodynia. Such a state implies such a high susceptibility that a person can feel pain even from a slight breeze.

What is the level of skin receptivity? Signs Why does the skin become overly receptive? Therapy options Nipple sensitivity Tongue sensitivity Comments and reviews

What is the level of skin susceptibility?

To date, the following types of sensitivity have been established and studied:

Mechanical or tactile, "triggered" by touch; Static mechanical, when the skin responds with minimal pain external pressure or touch; Dynamic mechanical. Such a pathology excludes the possibility of a complete cleaning of the skin ...

Diagnosis > Skin hypersensitivity

This information cannot be used for self-treatment!
Be sure to consult with a specialist!

What is skin hyperesthesia, and what is it like?

Hypersensitivity of the skin or hyperesthesia is a pathological condition of the skin in which even minor external influences on them cause the development of a very strong reaction. Such a pathology most often becomes a consequence of a malfunction of the nervous system.

Hyperesthesia of the skin can be local (local) in nature, when sensitivity is increased only in one limited area, and general, when there is hypersensitivity of the entire skin.

Causes of skin hypersensitivity

The cause of local hypersensitivity may be an increase in the sensitivity of skin nerve endings. This is observed with wounds, burns, herpes zoster infection, eczema, atopic dermatitis. Same shape...

In cosmetic terms, "sensitive skin" refers to a type of skin that is prone to increased irritability and unpredictable reactions in response to everyday external and internal agents. Sensitive skin can react with its external manifestations to fatigue, stress, lack of sleep, cold wind, water and decorative cosmetics. It is prone to tightening, redness, peeling, the appearance of small itchy rashes.

Hypersensitivity of the skin most often affects the fair sex with blond or red hair, transparent thin skin, blue, gray or green eyes. Such skin has a weakly expressed stratum corneum, little pigment, its sebaceous glands secrete insufficient fat. All this makes sensitive skin especially vulnerable to external irritants and internal stresses. According to surveys, 2/3 of women in Central Europe face the problem of sensitive, i.e. sensitive skin.

Skin sensitivity to...

Skin that is sensitive to touch is irritating, uncomfortable, and often unbearable. Pain or tenderness of the skin is medically referred to as allodynia, a condition in which a person feels an exaggerated type of pain or tenderness even without noxious stimuli such as wind. There are different types of skin tenderness, including:

Tactile or mechanical allodynia, which is triggered by touch Static mechanical allodynia, which is caused by light touch or pressure Dynamic mechanical allodynia, where brushing the skin causes pain Thermal allodynia, which is felt with cold or hot stimuli

Abnormally hypersensitivity of the skin to various types of irritants may be a sign of other health problems, such as nutritional deficiencies, nerve problems, or a viral infection.

Symptoms

It is easy to recognize the symptoms of tender skin or skin that is sensitive to touch. Pain can be...

SKIN is a sensitive organ. The entire surface of the skin is covered with nerve endings, which are responsible for the transmission of sensations received in the peripheral parts of the body. The function of the skin nerve receptor system is to transmit information about its contacts with factors environment. In addition to these sensations, irritations caused by inflammatory reactions of the skin affect the sensitive system of nerve fibers. All of them, as a rule, are perceived by her quite naturally.

However, there are cases when such sensations turn out to be excessive relative to external stimuli. Then the skin becomes sensitive. Regardless of the type, women mostly complain about this situation (about 60%). This phenomenon is typical for industrialized countries, due to negative impact environmental factors, as well as cosmetic and hygiene habits (not always acceptable).

SENSITIVE SKIN is difficult to define scientifically. Skin sensitivity can...

Normally, there are viscerocutaneous nerve pathways between the internal organs and the skin, which, due to pathological impulses, lead to increased sensitivity of the skin. Or simply put, skin hyperesthesia occurs as a result of a violation of the normal reaction between the skin and internal organs.

Symptoms of skin hyperesthesia and causes

When diagnosing hyperesthesia of the skin, the causes are not fully understood, but doctors noted some conditions of the body that can cause hyperesthesia of the skin:

The state of receptor hyperesthesia, which can be caused by wounds, burns of the body, shingles. The state of the so-called central hyperesthesia, when there is an increased excitability of brain neurons, which then leads to increased sensitivity of the skin. This happens with neurosis, infectious encephalitis, some forms of mental disorder.

At the same time, the skin reacts to the most insignificant changes in the environment ...

Very sensitive skin: causes and rules of care

Some people have particularly sensitive skin that reacts inappropriately to quite ordinary stimuli. For example, patches of redness, peeling, and rashes may appear on the skin even after using regular soap or in strong winds outside. Special sensitivity of the skin can also be manifested by other symptoms, without visible changes - this is burning, itching, tingling or tingling with external exposure.

Naturally, it is unpleasant to be constantly in a state of irritation, and a person with the type of skin in question will look for the causes of sensitivity. The most correct decision is to consult a doctor who will not only establish the true cause of the special sensitivity of the skin (using laboratory tests), but also select an effective solution to the problem.

This material will describe the most common causes of special skin sensitivity - many of them can be eliminated on their own, with ...

What is this violation?

Hypersensitivity to ultraviolet light is expressed in skin lesions in response to the action of light alone or light and chemicals combined. The phototoxic reaction is caused by excessive light or ultraviolet radiation and depends on the dose of radiation, that is, the severity of the reaction is directly dependent on the exposure. A photoallergic reaction is an abnormal immune response that does not depend on dose, even a small amount of exposure can cause a severe reaction.

What are the reasons for this violation?

Certain ones can lead to an increase in the sensitivity of the skin to the effects of light and the corresponding reactions of the body. These substances include dyes, coal tar, furocoumarins found in plants, and a variety of drugs (eg, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, griseofulvin, and thiazides).

Burlock dermatitis is a specific skin reaction to exposure to ...

Hypersensitivity of the skin can have a different nature: allergic reactions to certain ingredients of cosmetic preparations, skin damage, inflammation caused by irritation of sensitive nerve endings, congenital "weakness" of barrier structures (in patients with atopic dermatitis). But all these reasons have common roots.

Almost always, the first link in the development of hypersensitivity of the skin is a violation of its integrity and an increase in the permeability of the stratum corneum. That is why the main effort in developing a strategy for the care of sensitive skin should be directed to the restoration of the epidermal barrier.

Features of the procedures for increased skin sensitivity

Procedures accompanied by damage to the skin barrier layer (mechanical, chemical, laser peels) should be preceded and completed by cosmetic care that restores the barrier, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy, a set of measures,...

Sensitive skin easily reacts to various external and internal factors, which leads to its irritation, the appearance of pronounced rashes, redness and peeling. The problem of hypersensitivity lies in the fact that her reaction to a particular cosmetic product, product component, procedure can be unpredictable and sudden.

The reaction can manifest itself both in weather conditions (wind, rain, sudden changes in air temperature, snow, sun), and in internal processes (hormonal changes in the endocrine system, diseases, weakened immunity). Thus, for sensitive skin, a special approach is required when choosing cosmetics and food products.

Firstly, you need to regularly visit a dermatologist and a cosmetologist, if necessary, undergo examinations and carefully choose skincare products. Secondly, with sensitive skin, you will always have to adhere to some restrictions and at least sometimes sign up for medical ...

Sensitive skin: classification, causes, treatment, photo

Sensitive skin is characterized by hyperactive reactions when exposed to environmental factors. People with sensitive skin complain of an overreaction of the skin when using topical cosmetics, with visible symptoms may or may not be present. In people who feel skin discomfort, in about 50% of cases, there are no visible signs of burning of the skin. Changes in their covers in people with sensitive skin can cause a lot of inconvenience. While travelling, it is a good idea for these people to take personal skin care products, as cosmetics provided in hotels can cause skin deterioration or skin discomfort. These people choose the right product and apply it for a long time, trying not to use other skin care products. Cosmetics companies are aware of the...

Causes of hypersensitivity

The symptoms of these conditions are very easy to recognize. Any touch to the skin in an arbitrary or specific area can cause pain. It can be localized or widespread, with a common symptom being an atypically strong reaction to commonplace stimuli that should not normally cause pain. To check the sensitivity of the affected areas, try shaking off a piece of gauze or a cotton pad on them, you can use a compress, or simply touch one of the areas with your finger. If such exposure caused you severe pain, you need to deal with the causes of its occurrence.

There are several possible causes for abnormal skin sensitivity or allodynia. One of the most common is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. It can cause first or second degree burns, making the skin sensitive to even light touches.

Often, neuropathy is associated with pinching ...

What is sensitive skin?

Currently, more than half of the women surveyed complain that they have sensitive skin - this is about 60%. And, of course, the cosmetic industry is trying to meet the demand for cosmetic products designed to care for sensitive skin. Of course, the availability of such funds is only welcome. But, on the other hand, the mark on the cream "hypoallergenic", "for sensitive skin" has a strong influence on the consumer's attitude to the purchased product - it is automatically considered as "softer and more gentle" and people choose it even in cases where they do not experience skin problems. How justified is their choice?

Let's see what this term really means and what types of sensitive skin exist.

Sometimes the development of itching or other negative reaction to any drug causes the consumer to automatically refuse all cosmetics of this brand or services ...

It may be idiopathic or may develop after exposure to certain drugs or chemicals and is sometimes one of the symptoms of a systemic disease. Treatment depends on the type of photosensitivity.

In addition to the acute and chronic effects of sunlight, a number of less common reactions to sun exposure can develop. Despite the obvious precipitating factor, patients with severe photosensitivity should be evaluated to rule out a systemic or skin disease associated with increased photosensitivity, such as SLE and porphyria.

solar urticaria

In some patients, urticaria develops at the site of exposure to sunlight within a few minutes. Rarely, if large areas are affected, fainting, dizziness, hoarseness, and other general symptoms may develop. The etiology is unclear, but endogenous components of the skin may be involved. Solar urticaria can be distinguished from other types of urticaria because...

1 Causes of the disease

Why does the skin hurt? The reasons may be the following:

The action of radiation or chemical influences. Allergy to the fabric of clothes and bed linen. Herpes virus. Chicken pox. Migraine. AIDS. Disorders in the nervous system.

The latter reason may be associated with such ailments as:

Polyneuropathy. Fibromyalgia. Demyelinating diseases. Pathological processes in the brain. Organic changes in the spinal cord.

The disease can be caused by the action of radiation or chemical influences: an ultraviolet burn as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun, under a lamp in a solarium. You can get a first or second degree burn that causes pain.

Why does the skin hurt when it comes into contact with something? An allergy to the fabric of clothes and bed linen is possible. Occurs rarely. It is possible due to hypersensitivity to the material from which clothes and bedding are made. Moreover, an allergic reaction can also be caused by natural ...

Painful sensitivity of the skin to the light of the sun is a residual common problem that can be encountered by a person of any race, nationality and age. This condition is caused by substances that have a photosensitizing effect.

Photosensitizers can cause two types of skin reactions - photoallergic and phototoxic. The first variant (photoallergy) develops when solar radiation causes chemical changes in substances found on the skin. As a result of these transformations, substances become allergens and cause the corresponding reaction of the body.

Phototoxic reactions develop differently. In this case, the substances in the skin actively absorb UV rays and equally actively transfer the absorbed energy to the surrounding tissues. This leads to the fact that the cells located in the neighborhood are damaged and even die.

Phototoxic reactions can occur immediately after exposure to radiation on the skin, or after ...

Sensitive skin has a negative reaction to exposure to external and internal factors. Most often, sensitivity manifests itself in the form of red spots.

Many people experience sensitive skin in their lives.

Under no circumstances should this condition be ignored. To eliminate sensitivity, treatment is necessary.

Causes of the pathological condition

Most often, sensitive facial skin appears under the influence of adverse climatic conditions:

Cold Heat Wind High humidity Temperature fluctuations Dry air

Some people complain about the appearance of this pathological condition with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Long-term use of certain medications can also lead to sensitivity.

If a person uses inappropriate cosmetic products, this can also provoke an increase in the sensitivity of the skin of the face.

Cause...

Sunburn is an acute inflammation of the superficial layers of the skin that occurs as a pathological reaction in response to the action of ultraviolet radiation, the source of which, in most cases, is the sun. The characteristic features of a sunburn are the appearance of erythema (redness), swelling, pain, burning, and itching on the skin. In some cases, people who have received such a burn may experience a rise in body temperature, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, decreased ability to work, etc. Most often, a sunburn does not appear on the skin immediately upon contact with the sun's rays, but after some time (usually 3 - 12 hours after exposure).

The rate of sunburn development is influenced by big number various factors. They can be genetic features of skin development (skin phototype), daily time, medication intake, altitude above sea level, duration of insolation, climate and season, etc. Sunburn is not ...

Numbness of the face, tongue, hands and feet: causes, tests and examinations, treatment

Numbness is an unpleasant tingling, crawling sensation on the skin that is accompanied by decreased sensation in the skin and, sometimes, pain and mobility in the joints of the fingers, hands, or feet.

Most often, numbness is a normal reaction of the body in response to nerve compression or impaired blood supply to tissues, for example, when a person is in one position for a long time.

Less commonly, numbness is a symptom of nervous system disease.
In some cases, numbness in an area of ​​the body can indicate a serious illness, such as a stroke (death of a part of the brain) or a tumor.

Diagnosis of the causes of numbness includes many various methods examinations: X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic nuclear resonance, vascular ultrasound, electroneuromyography, etc.

Treatment for numbness depends on the cause of its development.

In some cases, numbness of body parts ...

Sensitive facial skin - signs and rules of care

In the practice of a cosmetologist, there are more and more cases when clients come with very irritated skin and rashes, which can easily fit a huge number of diseases. The most common diagnosis is “sensitive skin”!

What does sensitive skin mean, causes and how to deal with it - in detail in this article.

First of all, when making a diagnosis of "sensitive skin", it is necessary to determine the connection with the provoking factor, and this is already 50% of success in treatment! And having chosen the right care with the help of a specialist, following some recommendations in Everyday life and using natural cosmetics, such a client gets the opportunity to forget about his "diseases".

Signs of sensitive skin

Sensitive skin - this term is suitable for skin that reacts to external and internal stimuli with the appearance of red spots or diffuse redness, peeling, ...

Photosensitivity is a poorly understood skin reaction to sunlight, probably involving the immune system. The cause may be idiopathic or a reaction to the use of certain drugs or chemicals, sometimes it may be a sign of systemic diseases (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus, porphyria, pellagra, xeroderma pigmentosa). The diagnosis is made after a clinical examination. Treatment depends on the type of disease.

In addition to acute and chronic reactions to sunlight, unexpected manifestations may develop even after brief exposure to the sun. If the cause is not obvious, patients with overt photosensitivity should be evaluated for systemic or chronic lupus erythematosus and possibly porphyria. In the treatment of chemical photosensitivity, topical glucocorticoids should be used and causative agents of the disease should be avoided.

Solar urticaria. In some patients, urticaria develops on the area of ​​​​the skin, ...

Erysipelatous inflammation of the skin, or erysipelas, is a common acute infectious disease with symptoms of limited skin inflammation. The disease is prone to relapses, i.e. to recurrence. The causative agent of the disease is hemolytic streptococcus, less often the disease is caused by staphylococci.

The source of infection is a sick person or a carrier of streptococcus.

The pathogen enters the thickness of the skin through abrasions, diaper rash, abrasions, scratches, scratches, cracks, areas of fungal infection, and even through imperceptible violations of its integrity. Often, the pathogen is transferred by the patient himself if he has another streptococcal disease. The disease occurs only when the body's resistance decreases under the influence of any adverse factors. Erysipelas is more common in women and the elderly.

Recurrent erysipelas usually occur in the same place. This is due to the presence here of a chronic violation of the lymphatic outflow and the development of increased ...

When the scalp turns red and begins to peel off, many blame it on dandruff or an allergic reaction. However, often these symptoms signal a completely different ailment - an increased sensitivity of the scalp. If you let the situation take its course, hoping that everything will pass by itself, it will not get better. However, the same applies to self-medication. On the contrary, with these tactics of behavior, you can easily acquire a more serious disease, and at the same time lose a considerable part of your hair.

Test: "How to determine that the scalp is sensitive"?

Tests are not only in psychology. An example is the following list of statements.

1) After shampooing (both with shampoo and without it) - the skin turns red and itches;

2) Redness persists from several hours to several days;

3) When cold or hot, irritation of the scalp appears;

4) Drinking alcohol and/or certain foods also causes itching and...

Sensitive skin is one of the types of skin that is characterized by an increased response and unpredictable reaction to external and internal stimuli. Sensitive skin is susceptible to external symptoms: stress, fatigue, cold wind, lack of sleep, poor-quality decorative cosmetics and water. As a result of the influence of these factors, redness, irritation, rash and peeling can be detected on the skin. Pain, tingling, tingling and burning can act as subjective sensations. To determine the factors of increased skin sensitivity, it is necessary to seek the help of a dermacosmetologist who will be able to choose the appropriate skin care every day, as well as recommend the necessary cosmetics and salon procedures.

Very sensitive skin, in most cases, has female representatives with red or blond hair, thin transparent skin, and green, gray or blue eyes. This type of skin is characterized by a poorly expressed stratum corneum, a minimum amount of pigment and insufficient secretion of fat by the sebaceous glands. All these indicators make sensitive skin more vulnerable to internal stress and external irritants.

Skin sensitivity to various allergens, such as neuropsychic stress, climatic conditions and cosmetics, is often confused with skin or allergic diseases (seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea). Since the reactivity of the skin appears unexpectedly, it is most likely that we will talk about hypersensitivity.

Sensitive Skin Types

Causes of skin sensitivity:

• hypersensitivity of the skin, which is characterized by a sudden onset, after which the sensitivity continues for a certain time and also suddenly disappears. This skin condition is provoked by the reaction that the human body experiences after suffering serious illnesses, taking medications and neuropsychic injuries;
• the appearance of sensitive skin against the background of anomalies of internal organs (most often the intestines and stomach), allergic, skin, infectious or endocrine diseases, as well as damage to the immune system;
• the use of low quality cosmetics or improperly selected cosmetics, as well as inappropriate care, can cause skin hypersensitivity;
• sensitive skin depends on its innate characteristics, such as dryness, weakness, thinness and lack of protective pigmentation. Almost all external irritants (water, wind, dust, heat) can cause a reaction in this type of skin, which needs detailed care with protective and nourishing creams.

In the case of the last two situations, it is enough to provide the skin with thorough care, but the first two options require the elimination of the causes of the appearance of skin hypersensitivity.

Internal defense mechanisms of the skin

According to its functions, the upper layer of the epidermis is the main barrier to the entry of harmful components. Hypersensitivity is due to the thinning of the stratum corneum of the skin. As a result, this leads to a decrease in the protective function, which provokes the unimpeded penetration of various exogenous irritants into the skin. Also protective function skin is performed by immune cells of the epidermis and the stable functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

Skin sensitivity is not always provoked by the innate features of its structure. Trying to improve their appearance, people themselves, without noticing it, expose their skin to various influences. Creams, chemical peels and masks with acids, exfoliating scrubs and experiments in the selection of cosmetics adversely affect the condition of the epidermis and thin it. As a result, instead of the expected result, irritation and redness form on the skin. The most susceptible areas will be around the eyes and nasolabial triangle, which have a low lipid barrier and a physiologically thin skin structure.

There are such mechanisms of internal protection of the skin:

1. Skin barrier. The horny layer of the epidermis retains the right amount of moisture, thereby preventing overdrying of the skin. Due to overdrying of the skin, the barrier function decreases, which predisposes to sensitivity. The skin is exposed to exogenous stimuli (trauma, infection, chemicals) and responds to them with hypersensitivity;
2. Sebum is a defense mechanism that is secreted by the sebaceous glands. The lipid film that forms on the surface of the epidermis softens and protects the skin from infection and damage. An insufficient amount of sebum leads to dry skin and a decrease in the protective barrier;
3. The acid level of the skin, which is maintained with the stable functioning of the sweat glands. In addition, sweat neutralizes chemical, microbial and mechanical impurities of the skin. Violation of the acid-base balance leads to loosening of the skin and increased skin sensitivity.

Causes of increased skin sensitivity

Allocate endogenous and exogenous factors that affect skin sensitivity.

Endogenous factors include:

• skin type - 60% of women who consider their skin reactive have 40% dry skin, and 25% have oily or normal skin;
• phototype 1 and 2 degrees with increased sensitivity, pigmented skin is considered less prone to irritation than light skin;
• age, because children have more sensitive skin than adults;
• become, since women suffer most from the increased sensitivity of the epidermis;
• neurological factor;
• menstrual cycle and hormonal background.

Exogenous causes include:

• environment - cold, polluted air, temperature changes, solar radiation and heat;
• lifestyle - alcohol, tobacco, stress, emotions, stimulants and spicy foods;
• the use of cosmetics;
• professional activity - contact with detergents, long and frequent exposure to the sun.

One of the important external factors increasing skin sensitivity will be substances that are used for cosmetic procedures or are included in the structure of cosmetics. These include retinoids, which are used in dermacosmetology to correct the condition of the skin and treat dermatoses. Side effects of the use of this substance will be peeling, redness and dryness of the skin.

Most of the components of cosmetic products of synthetic (flavorings, preservatives, emulsifiers) and biological (calendula extract, rosemary, sandalwood oil) origin cause contact dermatitis and skin allergization, which also leads to skin hypersensitivity.

Skin sensitivity is also considered the result of an allergic mechanism, namely, a single or complex influence of factors leads to hypersensitivity.

Sensitive skin care

Facial care for sensitive skin consists of the following procedures:

1. Cleansing. In the morning you need to wash your face with warm spring or mineral water, and in the evening use a cleansing soft milk, which will remove makeup and pollution. Also, the skin needs to be wiped with a tonic, which makes it possible to tone and refresh the skin;
2. Hydration. In the morning, a day cream should be applied to the skin, which contains weakening fats and nutrients, and also has UV protection. It is best if the cream is created with mineral elements based on thermal waters;
3. Night care. A layer of cream is applied to the skin before going to bed, which has regenerating properties and certain elements that guarantee reliable protection and accumulation of moisture, while activating oxygen exchange in cells;
4. Decorative cosmetics must be tested for hypoallergenicity;
5. Face masks. For those with sensitive skin, it is best to opt for easy-to-rinse masks that are endowed with moisturizing and nourishing properties. It is not recommended to apply the mask to people with incompatibility on any of its components.

Sensitive skin needs constant hydration and protection, which can be provided by cosmetic products that are optimally suited to your skin type. It is necessary to limit the use of masks, mesotherapy, peeling and other procedures that damage the skin, as well as learn how to use and choose decorative cosmetics correctly.

Hyperesthesia called the state of the body, which is characterized by increased sensitivity to various stimuli.

Term "hyperesthesia" also used for pathological increase in the sensitivity of one of the sense organs, vision or hearing, caused by a disease or disorder of the nervous system. The types of hyperesthesia include allodynia and hyperalgesia.

Hyperalgesia called an increased reaction of the body to an irritant, the symptoms of which are considered moderately painful (for example, high fever). If the pain is caused by a non-painful stimulus, they speak of allodynia. In addition, allodynia is also called conditions associated with sunburn or skin injury, which are characterized by excessive sensitivity.

Characteristic

Hyperesthesia- a companion of many disorders of the nervous system. For example, increased sensitivity of the skin is characteristic of various diseases of the spinal cord. Such symptoms appear directly above the affected area, in combination with loss of sensation below the affected area. Hypersensitivity accompanies only mild forms diseases in which complete paralysis is not observed, but only disturbances in nerve conduction are noted. Painful tingling and other unpleasant sensations due to impaired nerve sensitivity often occur when the area above the spinal cord is affected.

Hyperesthesia, in addition, is closely interconnected with the general nervous pain - neuralgia. The manifestations of this pathology are extremely diverse and affect a variety of parts of the body. When hyperesthesia is accompanied by neuralgia, the skin of the affected area becomes extremely sensitive to touch, heat and cold. Initially, the sensitivity of the nerve endings that penetrate the skin is exacerbated. This condition is usually described by the patient as a burning sensation. For example, trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by brief bouts of intense facial pain, often radiating to the lower jaw. They occur spontaneously or are provoked by light touch, chewing, or temperature changes. The pain is so intense that it often leads to complete disability; its cause is irritation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), which is responsible for conducting nerve impulses to the facial region. Nerve irritation is sometimes caused by benign tumors or multiple sclerosis, but in most cases the cause cannot be determined.

Hyperesthesia and drugs

Hyperesthesia often accompanies toxic damage to the nervous system. For example, increased pain sensitivity is often observed in alcoholics. In a state of a hangover, they shudder at the slightest touch, and under the influence of alcohol, pain sensations disappear. Hypersensitivity of the senses, especially vision and hearing, is associated with the euphoria experienced under the influence of hallucinogens like ecstasy (methylenedioxyamphetamine) and LSD. Visual hyperesthesia is characterized by heightened perception of color intensity and is one of the typical effects of LSD ingestion. Likewise, the relationship between ecstasy and dance music can be explained by the fact that hallucinogen intake leads to the development of auditory hyperesthesia.

One of the earliest mentions of hyperesthesia in the medical literature occurs in 1869. American physician George Miller published an article in the Boston Medical Journal in which he suggested that mental abnormalities in neurasthenia are associated with such manifestations of "overload" of the nervous system as insomnia, intense pain (including headache) and hyperesthesia. Byrd's research has generated scientific interest in the relationship between consciousness and the nervous system. Increasingly, the symptoms of hyperesthesia were attributed to paranormal phenomena, putting them on a par with telepathy and clairvoyance; the interest of traditional medicine in this condition was lost.

limb phantom

Many people who have undergone limb amputation complain of pain in it. There are many theories explaining the limb phantom phenomenon. According to one of the first hypotheses, the pain is the memory of the victim about the sensations that preceded the amputation. This assumption, however, does not explain the intensity of pain experienced by some patients after amputation.

More recently, a theory has been put forward that the pain felt in the area of ​​the lost limb originates in the brain or in other parts of the nervous system. Hyperesthesia is often noted in patients with lesions or injuries of the spinal cord. Extensive nerve damage associated with amputation, especially neuromas (benign growths that occur at the site of nerve damage during amputation), may be the cause of this effect. Random nerve impulses in neuromas cause the brain to mistakenly assume the presence of an amputated limb.

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She blushes easily covered with rashes and generally behaves unpredictably. Sensitive skin is very common these days... What are the signs of hypersensitivity of the skin and the reasons for this - we understand.

Chu sensitive skin is a term that has become actively used in medical community With last third XX century. Sensitive skin is a skin with a disorganized structure and impaired barrier function, unable to adequately provide organic and functional constancy of the internal environment of the body. It is more vulnerable to germs, allergens, toxins and is prone to the development of various diseases.

The modern rhythm of life, unfortunately, does not contribute to the health of the skin, just the opposite. 60% of women and 40% of men think they have sensitive skin. They mostly live in large cities, in conditions of constant psycho-emotional stress and environmental problems.

What is skin sensitivity

Hypersensitivity of the skin can be characterized as its special "behavior", which manifests itself in less resistance to external and internal stimuli (trigger factors). We emphasize that these irritants are not some kind of exceptional, but quite ordinary and familiar. External irritants include sudden changes in temperature - the scourge of our climate in the autumn-winter season, contact with household chemicals or, say, increased water hardness. Internal stimuli are features of the functioning of organs and systems, as well as the psyche, as a result of which the skin tends to become hypersensitive. Most experts today give the leading role in the formation of such a picture to genetic and neurogenic factors. Not reset from accounts and ethnic backgrounds. The sensitivity of the skin is periodically aggravated, and then fades for a while. The periods of exacerbation last from several days (menstruation, abuse of spicy food) to several weeks (stress, fatigue). There is an opinion that young women are more predisposed to it. But this is a very controversial statement. Many of the fair sex note an increase in skin sensitivity just during the period of perimenopause. When examining the skin, the doctor notes a violation of the function of the stratum corneum and signs of dehydration (one of the modern diagnostic methods is dermatoscopy, an examination with an optical device under multiple magnification). And such changes are very characteristic of aging: the epidermis becomes thinner, lipid production decreases, intercellular lipid membranes are destroyed, therefore, the barrier properties of the skin deteriorate. The situation is aggravated by a decrease in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, a powerful moisturizer, and coenzyme Q10, which stimulates the ability of cells to regenerate. Both dry and oily skin can suffer from hypersensitivity. However, with age, skin of any type begins to gravitate towards dryness.

Causes of increased skin sensitivity

Since the increased sensitivity of the skin is expressed not only externally (redness, dilated capillaries, moderate inflammation), but also in sensations (tightening, tingling, burning, itching), experts distinguish two aspects of the problem: objective - what the doctor sees with his own eyes, and subjective - what the doctor can only know from the words of the patient. It is precisely because of the great role of sensations in the formation of the concept of sensitive skin that it is proposed to define the appropriate diagnosis as a syndrome of sensitive skin - something not only obvious, but also apparent to the patient.

Most often, cosmetologists and dermatologists note cases of sensitive facial skin syndrome - in the forehead, nasolabial fold, upper lip, chin. The occurrence of problems in these areas is associated with the thinness of the stratum corneum and big amount nerve receptors. Cosmetics, which are not always adequately selected and correctly combined with each other, also make their “sensitive contribution”. Hypersensitivity of the skin of the hands and upper chest is less common.

Skin as a mirror of health

The skin senses, absorbs and communicates. Lives a complex and rich life. The skin is a mirror of our health, emotions and attitude towards ourselves. We turn purple with anger, we turn pale with fear, and we glow with happiness. A dull, grayish complexion can be a sign of depression.

"I have sensitive skin." Some state this almost with satisfaction. Sensitive skin means a sensitive nature, special, emotional, vulnerable. The imagery of the language only confirms such a correlation. No wonder they say about a too susceptible person that he needs to grow thick skin. Between the epidermis, on the one hand, and the brain and nervous system, on the other hand, there is indeed a close relationship. The brain and skin are formed at one stage of embryonic development and continue to interact throughout a person's life - for modern science this fact is obvious. Moreover, today it is recognized that in a considerable number of cases, a dermatological disease first manifests itself precisely after a serious emotional shock, and subsequently can go away on its own, after treatment with antidepressants or psychotherapy sessions.

The condition of the skin to a certain extent depends on our sense of self and mood. According to research, neurotransmitters - chemicals that "intermediate" between the skin and the nervous system - can affect skin density, collagen and sebum production, regulate pigmentation and the immune response.

In 1974, the French psychoanalyst Didier Anzier, in his book I am Skin, established a “kinship” relationship between psychoanalysis and dermatology, contributing to the emergence of a new medical direction- psychodermatology, unfortunately, is still underestimated. “A person thinks with the skin” - this statement of D. Anzier provides rich food for thought ...

Expert opinion

Svetlana Shokolova, dermatologist-cosmetologist of the medical center of cosmetology RayLife

At I have many patients with sensitive skin - prone to dehydration, irritation, with "capillary instability". Based on my extensive practice, I can confidently say that sensitive skin loves intense pulsed light therapy (photorejuvenation). Among the devices for photorejuvenation, I would like to note the M22 multifunctional platform.

As a result of exposure to broadband light, the skin tone evens out (enlarged pores, age spots, signs of rosacea and other defects go away); texture improves; tissues become denser, acquire a good tone.

Photo procedures are preferably carried out during the season of low solar activity, one session with an interval of a month. During the autumn-winter period, we usually have time to perform three or four such impacts.

Laser resurfacing for sensitive skin is rather not indicated, although everything is decided on an individual basis.

If we talk about radio frequency methods of rejuvenation, then there are no categorical prohibitions either. The main thing - again, the individual choice of apparatus. It is also possible to carry out ultrasonic alteration procedures (Ulthera) - a non-surgical SMAS facelift.

Anna Kovalchuk, cosmetologist-esthetician of the beauty salon "Matilda"

Frost, wind, sudden changes in temperature... In winter, the sensitivity of the skin becomes aggravated, which means it's time to take a course of special procedures. For clients with sensitive skin, I use multi-stage care systems - salon lines of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. One such multi-level system is Calming Tenderness (Babor). The program includes successive effects: delicate cleansing - peeling (milky, almond, ferulic - is selected depending on the characteristics of the skin); applying a soothing mask; ampoule care that relieves irritation, tightness and peeling of the skin; application of a cream that restores the hydrolipidic balance. It is important to choose the right products for home care. The day cream should be less oily, with a fairly light texture, the night cream should be more oily. As for the use of decorative cosmetics, of course, you should not deny yourself this. You just need to give preference to high-quality hypoallergenic formulas. Regarding the components, it would be useful to consult with a specialist.