What Makes Sensitive Skin Sensitive?

The “do's” and the “dont's” are of utmost importance if you have sensitive skin. Easily triggered should you be crazy enough to turn a blind eye to the “dont's”, consequences of a very physical nature would immediately manifest. In the end, your regret for outright disobedience would not be the only obvious thing written all over your face. Expect much more than emotion to become visible on your skin.

However, the good thing about it is that you are not the only one with sensitive skin. Affecting millions of people worldwide, statistics revealed that around 51% of women and 38% of men have sensitive skin. It is basically a type of skin alongside normal, dry, oily, and combination. Characteristics of sensitive skin cover a wide range starting from small portuberances with itching, down to easy reddening of the skin.

You know that having a sensitive skin can be a burden. At times, it can even be a pain, literally. Nevertheless, it should not be a problem given that you steer clear of the things and factors that trigger the sensitivity of your already sensitive skin. As was previously mentioned, strict observation of the specific “do's” and “dont's” are imperative if you do not want to look like a funny tomato walking around with a human torso. So before you decide to have your time in the sun and expose yourself to its lethal ultraviolet rays for the entire day, maybe you ought to consider the following pointers about the causes of skin sensitivity:

• Heat coming from other sources or the sun itself can set off your skin's sensitivity. Moreover, sunburn is a well-known irritant to your type of skin.

• Do not let your skin come in contact with fabrics made of wool or the latex material normally used for making surgical or household gloves. These may cause allergic reactions that could take a considerable amount of time to heal or go away.

• Using skin care cream or lotion containing preservatives like paraben can irritate sensitive skin.

• Certain foods can trigger your skin's sensitivity. However, the specific kinds of food vary on a case to case basis. If you have experienced reddening or allergic reactions upon eating a specific food item, avoid it totally.

• Excessively low temperatures and even windburn can set off sensitive skin.

• Stress is also another factor.

• Specific medications that you use can also irritate sensitive skin.

• The following procedures can set off the skins' sensitivity: laser treatment, dermabrasion, chemical peels, shaving, and waxing.

• Avoid powder cosmetics.

• Never use expired make up products. Ditch them right away.

• Steer clear of waterproof cosmetics. They are known to cause problems to sensitive skin.

• Make sure that the cosmetics you use contain no more than 10 ingredients. If the content's number is beyond this, it is liable to cause problems for sensitive skin.

• Soap tends to dry the skin. So make sure that you use a moisturizing variety.

• Rigorous exercise and/or physical exertions can set off sensitive skin.

• Fragrances, color, and surfactants used for cosmetics can also trigger problems.

• Using sunscreen with para-aminobenzoic acid and an SPF rating of over 20 are known to trigger the skin's sensitivity.

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Maricel Modesto is a writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines.