Sensitive skin is an extremely common problem for both men and women on a daily basis. The severity of it can vary from person to person, with some people suffering a lot more than others.

It is usually defined as being skin that is easily irritated. This may show as red, inflamed, dry, itchy or flushed skin.

Our skin clinic specialises in treatments such as Anti-Wrinkle Injections, Dermal Filler injections and Sclerotherapy in Northern Ireland and England. Because of this, we have come across a number of different skin types, including sensitive skin.

Therefore, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you try and understand sensitive skin – why you have it and if anything can be done to prevent it.

The Basics: What is Sensitive Skin?

It’s a fact that most people will suffer with sensitive skin at some point in their life. Our skin has to put up with a lot in our everyday lives, including weather, stress and makeup – the list is endless.

We all have a skin barrier that works hard to keep our skin from being irritated. This barrier only works properly if our skin retains the right amount of moisture. Therefore, any circumstances that may lead to our skin drying out, such as cold weather and air conditioning, can weaken our skin barrier.

Whether you have experienced nothing more than tingly skin, or you experience constant redness of the skin, these are all signs of sensitive skin. However, there is a spectrum of skin sensitivity that can range from mildly-irritated skin to skin conditions such as Eczema and Rosacea.

Why is it Happening?

Apart from harsh weather conditions, there are also a number of other factors that could result in sensitive skin. These can include:

• Hormones – pregnancy, menstruation, menopause
• Stress – high stress levels can result in our skin becoming more sensitive
• Lifestyle – do you exercise? What food do you eat? Do you drink a lot? Smoke?
• Genetics – if it runs in the family, you could inherit the same problem

What Can I Do?

Now that you know what can cause sensitive skin, it’s important that you know what you can do to prevent it – or minimise the risk.

Hydrate

Staying hydrated is essential for your health on both the inside and the outside. Your body needs a healthy amount of water throughout the day, so it is important that you don’t go too long without drinking it.

Choose products wisely

It probably goes without saying that some products are not good for our skin. Products that contain perfumes or harsh chemicals are more likely to irritate our skin or cause a reaction. Stick to products that are more gentle on the skin – they are less prone to causing skin problems.

Work on your skincare routine

You can help minimise sensitive skin by having a regular skincare routine in place. This is because it helps to protect and preserve your skin’s natural health barrier. Deep cleansing your skin can often help reduce the risks of itchy dry skin.

We hope that by following our skincare tips, you can help reduce any signs of sensitive skin.

Here at Aesthetic Skin Clinic, we are passionate about skin – and we want to help you feel comfortable in your own. We are committed to making sure that you look after your skin in the best possible way. We can do this by providing a wide range of treatments that are guaranteed to leave your skin feeling fresher and younger.

If you have any questions about our services, or you want to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can ring us on 01481 736699 and a member of our friendly staff will be happy to help.