Have you ever noticed your skin getting easily irritated? Specific triggers, including soaps, fragrances, and even detergents of some types, end up leaving a reaction on your skin. It may also be possible that you notice it turning red now and then because it is itchy, dry, stinging, or even burning. Well, if you fit most of these categories, then I’m sorry to break it to you; you might have hypersensitive skin.
But, don’t freak out, just yet! Although it may be easily irritable, Hypersensitive Skin is also pretty manageable if you stay consistent with the management.
Here are 9 things that dermatologists want us, hypersensitive skin buddies, to know and live by
Hypersensitive skin; a hazy blanket term first
First, while having hypersensitive skin essentially means that your skin has a higher probability of being irritated, the form of irritation may not be the same for everyone. As an introduction to the phenomena, it’s crucial to understand that hypersensitive skin is a Blanket term and won’t mean the same for everyone; thus, the same precautions and treatments can’t be used.
Having hypersensitive skin can be caused because of many underlying problems, triggers, or even skin disorders. Hypersensitivity is further explored to make a diagnosis for what the underlying problem actually is.
It’s all in the lipid barrier.
One of the FAQs dermatologists answers is how does skin actually be hypersensitive? Well, the fact is that it’s all because of the lipid barrier. The lipid barrier is basically this layer of fat right above our skin, and that’s where all the action happens.
This barrier is pretty sensitive, easily damageable, and light for people with hypersensitive skin, which leads it to react efficiently and quickly to irritants or triggers. This happens because the skin cells are out in the open and easily accessible by irritants and triggers.
Not just that, having a thin barrier makes it easy for moisture to escape leading to a frequent loss of moisture resulting in dry patchy skin, which may add up to the skin being prone to hypersensitivity.
Are you immune enough?
One of the other things considered when going about the whole sensitive skin debate is the million-dollar question; Are you immune enough?
It’s not a surprise that there are a million irritants out there; you can’t just lock your body up and avoid all of them. No matter how intense the irritant is, what matters is that your body has the ability and the needed immunity to cope with the irritant once it’s through the lipid barrier.
Other than that, sometimes, hypersensitivity can be caused by a hyperactive immune system. This hyperactivity may result from your body system going into overdrive because of a severe threat to the body. This form of hypersensitivity can include allergies or severe skin conditions too.
Make sure that you’re immune enough to avoid any such hyperactivity in your body.
Accept the age:
It’s alright and completely normal for your skin to develop a certain level of sensitivity as you age. It’s a natural process of slower replacement of the lipid barrier, leading to the skin becoming far more prone to irritants and thus sensitivity.
The chemical balance of the skin changes as we age, and that’s an entirely natural process.
When we constantly stress, it is a natural process. We don’t exactly mean that you should leave your skin on its own. You just need to be a little pickier with your skincare choices.
Ironically, most anti-agers use strong ingredients, for instance, retinol. So maybe, do your research and go a little gentle.
Over-exfoliating your face is out of the question:
The biggest reason, or as we should say, enemy for the skin lip barrier, is the love for over-exfoliation and over-washing our skin. A massive chunk of people who complain of hypersensitivity of skin is part of the over-wash and exfoliate your face gang.
Using scrubs, yes, especially those which smell like all the fruits you’d love on your plate are OUT of the question too!
Cooool down!
Think about it, washing grease or oil off with cold water is useless, and it doesn’t help, but one hot splash of water, and oh, was the spot even oily before?
That’s how it works with the skin too! Stop washing or literally melting your skin away by using hot water because someone said it’s terrific for your skin; it absolutely isn’t!
Instead, make use of cold (not freezing) or lukewarm water.
Are skin products and hypersensitive skin even friends?
Well, we’re glad you asked. And yes, they are. All you need to do is make friends with the real gentle products, say bye to the harsh ones; they didn’t’ deserve you anyway.
To have proper specifications of what your skin hates, you will need to visit a dermatologist, yes, a real one. Please don’t go surfing on Youtube; you’ll end up diagnosing yourself with a million skin diseases.
As for makeup and skin cleaning, gentle products on the skin are friends with the lipid barrier, and don’t strip you of the essential oils are the way to go. Glad you wondered which product that could be; it is a clinical cleansing complex.
Stay away from harsh ingredients like retinol, parabens, etc. Hug glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and fatty acids; keep them close.
Healthy Skin > Fragrant skin
Artificially fragrant skin products can be singled out as by far the biggest skin irritants. Always, always look for skin and fragrance-free makeup products. Scan down the ingredient list or maybe smell the product to identify whether the fragrance is artificially formulated or not.
Sunscreen is your best friend.
Sunscreen should be your best friend regardless of you having hypersensitive skin or not.
Being sensitive to UV Rays plays the most significant role in the entire debate of hypersensitive skin. Your skin is prone to far more damage than the usual skin because of the hypersensitivity situation. Wearing an SPF 30 or higher for those who follow a regimen is crucial.
A lot of the damage can be managed by applying and reapplying sunscreen in the right amounts during reasonable periods.
Final Thoughts:
Living with Hypersensitive Skin can be problematic and confusing. This condition isn’t easy to eliminate, but it can be eliminated. To begin your journey, visit your dermatologist, let them study your skin with relevance to the history and triggers.
Elimination of triggers and prescription of products that better suit your skin can help you manage your hypersensitive skin. With proper management, care, and a thorough scan of whatever you put on that beautiful face of yours, you might be able to get rid of it!
Other than that, stress less. Eat well, stay happy, and love the skin you’re in!