The higher the sensitivity of the skin, the lower is the threshold of its tolerance. If you experience any skin or allergic reactions, you should consult a specialist (therapist, pharmacist or cosmetologist). It is not necessary to associate the type of human skin and the causes of appearance, the degree of sensitivity and the condition of the skin as a whole, each of these parameters can be individual. All skin types are not immune from this problem, but each of them has sensitivity in its own way. The problem of skin sensitivity is studied very widely, but in spite of this, it is very difficult to guess exactly which factors influenced its appearance.
All the main reasons can be conditionally divided into three types:
- Endogenous - associated with a genetic predisposition;
- Exogenous - arising with the passage of time;
- Mixed - a combination of the two previous.
In the case where the causes of skin sensitivity are exogenous, this is due to imbalance or the effect of damaging factors, as a result of psychological effects such as stress, fatigue; somatic - disease, or external - a bad ecological situation, climate, allergy.
Skin that has been exposed to overly cosmetic effects, for example during chemical peeling, can also become sensitive.
At the French Center for Epidermal and Sensory Research and Research (CE.RIES), during the research, a link was found between the sensitivity of the skin and factors such as lifestyle and environmental conditions.
It should also be noted that too long exposure to the sun can adversely affect the sensitive skin. Sign of sensitive skin are usually redness, sensation of tingling or burning, as well as increased dryness of the skin. Such skin can react to cosmetic means for facial care or decorative cosmetics. When conducting a survey of women in Europe, about 60% of respondents said they consider their skin sensitive and 5-10% of them are able to name the hereditary cause of this condition. This shows how important are the exogenous factors (stress, adverse environmental situation, etc.) and an increase in the total number of women with "sensitive skin syndrome", which is unconfirmed. Specialists attribute this to the difficulties of life that arise in modern society
The number of women with sensitive skin is large enough, and this is due to the fact that this situation can affect anyone, regardless of skin type.
Different levels of sensitivity
There are several levels of sensitivity, which can vary depending on the person himself or the time of year. The peculiarity of the structure of the skin can affect the appearance of the appearance of sensitivity. Some factors can aggravate this process, so a light complexion, thin or dry skin is most prone to sensitivity. Very thin and very light skin - are the most sensitive, in comparison with other types of skin, due to the fact that it is the most permeable, and therefore, the least protected.
1. Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is the most exposed to external factors. It is characterized by a feeling of tightness, itching or tingling. With such skin, it is necessary to select with care the means for care, since they can cause deterioration of the condition, which will make it even more fragile.
2. Reactive or irritated (inflamed) skin
It is suffering sensitive skin. The factors that influenced the occurrence of such a condition may be different, for example, mechanical, medical or chemical damage. As a rule, the skin reacts with reddening, roughness, dryness or scaly spots, touching such skin can be unpleasant or painful. In this situation, it is necessary to regularly use restorative care with the use of softening, soothing and restoring agents.
3. Hyper-reactive skin
The highest level, which characterizes the sensitivity of the skin. Such a skin is not capable of perceiving anything, and reacts to any annoying element. In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor, including in the selection of cleaning and caring means.
4. Rosacea
Rosacea is a condition of the skin, manifested as a result of venous insufficiency, and leading to constriction of the vessels. It can be provoked by various factors (climatic or chronic) and accompanied by a burning sensation. Such skin is on the verge of sensitivity. The characteristic signs of rosacea on the skin are red spots or pronounced blood vessels. Sensitive skin needs appropriate care. First of all, it is necessary to find out the causes of skin sensitivity, in order to eliminate the factors that caused this condition. The next step is to carefully select the cosmetic products to treat the problem in order to stop the increase in the degree of skin sensitivity. If within a few weeks after starting the use of the drug you do not see any improvement, then it is worth to consult a therapist or dermatologist. A healthy lifestyle helps create a positive effect on sensitive skin. Destructive effects on your skin can have a long stay in the sun or cold, strong wind, alcohol, smoking. Also, it is necessary to refrain from carrying out such procedures as chemical peeling or intensive skin effects of products with a high content of retinol.
The main function of the skin is to protect against the negative effects of destructive factors, which is a response to the daily impact of the environment.
When analyzing this protective mechanism, it is found that the first level of protection is a thin surface layer (or it is also called the stratum corneum), which can be characterized as a "reasonable" tissue. Here, the flow is filtered in one direction and the moisture is retained - in the other, thus controlling the dehydration of the skin. This layer consists mainly of keratinized cells, but it is very active, it contains so-called messengers, allowing to control the process of renewing the epidermis from below. Under the surface layer are the basal cells of the epidermis and Langerhans cells (macrophages of the dermis), still known as "watchdog" cells. They catch any foreign body that can penetrate the skin, and give a signal to the lymphocytes to destroy it. Such a skin reaction can cause pain and / or irritation on the skin.
So, the skin reacts to everything:
- In case of damage, it "turns" to the basal cells, which affect the restoration of the epidermis.
- With intensive sunlight, the skin is protected by melanocytes, capable of producing melenin, which protects fragile basal cells.
- When deformed, fibroblasts begin to produce collagen and elastin fibers.
- To prevent overheating, the skin begins to actively develop sweat.
- When supercooled, it makes "reserves" of fat.
From all of the above, it can be concluded that the balance of this mechanism is very complex and even a small failure can cause serious consequences. Sensitive or reactive skin is the result of dysfunction. The problem is further aggravated by the fact that, as practice shows, every case of skin sensitivity is unique in its functional matrix. The extreme case of this imbalance is psoriasis. This negative state of the skin is characterized by an accelerated mechanism of renewal of the epidermis (3 days instead of the usual 3 weeks), this leads to a permanent "nakedness" or a reactive skin condition, which causes painful consequences.
The latest developments in the field of sensitive skin care
The Research Laboratory and IFREMER (French Institute for Marine Resource Research and Exploitation) in joint research have discovered an active component with a calming effect and reduces the reactivity of cells arising in response to external factors. All this became possible thanks to the recently launched research of the sea with the help of the newest equipment, passing at a depth of more than 2,500 meters. At great depths, complete darkness reigns, at 550 m there is practically no light, and the less light, the scarcer life. Therefore, a life based on photosynthesis is impossible here. In 1977, scientists conducted a study of the Galapagos Islands, which made it possible to make an unusual discovery that pushed the boundaries of the existence of life on the planet. In the Pacific at a depth of almost 2,500 m live organisms, surrounded by a rich fauna, formed by mollusks and crustaceans, collected together in the center of a kind of oasis. The existence of this animal world is concentrated around warm hydrothermal springs called "black smokers," and which resemble chimneys. The basis of these sources is seawater, which seeps through a network of faults that guide its flow through the earth's crust located close to the magma.
This hydrothermal stream is heated to a temperature above 400 ° C and rises up to the surface of the ocean. Life is concentrated wherever this source of energy does not arise, appearing in a wide variety of bizarrely colored forms. That's why these areas were called "Paradise Gardens". But if the "black smokers" dry up, then the rich fauna begins to die, leaving behind only a white, lifeless desert.
In 1987, IFREMER collected a unique collection of living organisms. Scientists were able to unravel the mystery of their biological life cycle, based mainly on chemosynthesis (transformation of organic substances from inorganic bacteria), which resulted in the discovery of one of the first links in the development of life on Earth ... When studying one of the microorganisms, the newest active component with surprising abilities for adaptation and resilience, being in difficult conditions of existence. This discovery scientists began to consider as an opportunity to use the resulting component to care for sensitive skin.