It’s easy to take the youthful complexion of your younger years for granted. But as you age, different factors impact your skin and can cause skin sensitivity. It may manifest as extreme dryness or redness. Or, sensitive skin may cause stinging, burning, or tightness. These symptoms are uncomfortable, and especially frustrating if they are visible. What are the top causes of skin sensitivity and can they be remedied?
Environmental Causes
Unprotected exposure to the elements, especially sun and wind, can cause lasting damage to your skin. Winter and summer can be the harshest toward sensitive skin, resulting in sun or wind burn and skin dryness, flaking, and itching. Avoid being out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the skin damaging UVB rays from the sun are strongest.
What’s the Remedy?
To help protect your skin during the winter, try using a humidifier in your home to return some moisture to the air. Don’t rub your skin to dry after bathing, as this can exacerbate dryness or flakiness. Instead, pat gently to dry and immediately apply moisturizer while your skin is still wet.
During the warm weather months, extra mindfulness in taking care of your skin can benefit you for years to come. Wear a wide brimmed hat and broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 40. Apply at least 20 minutes before going out and regularly reapply once an hour or more frequently if you’ve been swimming or perspiring.
Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, and consider a sunscreen especially designed for gentle facial protection. Our SolarEclipse Sheer and SolarEclipse Matte sunscreens are specially formulated to protect your skin from harmful UVB rays. Being beautifully tan in your teens and twenties contributes significantly to premature aging and increases the risk of skin cancer. Help your skin stay vibrant and beautiful for years to come by investing in your future with quality sunscreen and saying no to unprotected sun or tanning exposure.
Allergies
If you find yourself breaking out routinely or after eating certain foods, or having seasonal skin reactions, the culprit may be allergies. Allergies aren’t necessarily something you’re born with; many can develop throughout life. As a result, you may find yourself reacting to foods, drinks, or even lotions and perfumes that had never been problematic before.
What’s the Remedy?
A dermatologist can determine what you’re allergic to through allergy testing. Allergies can run from minor to severe, and can intensify over time, so don’t delay in seeking out a consultation with a dermatologist. If your allergies appear to be food based, an elimination diet may be recommended. Seasonal allergies can cause everything from respiratory issues to skin reactions, but you don’t have to suffer. Your dermatologist can give you recommendations or may even write a prescription to help restore the health of your skin and bring relief.
Unchecked Chemicals
Likewise, many household products contain harsh chemicals and filler ingredients which are simply too abrasive for skin and may contribute to increased skin sensitivity. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act does not require FDA approval of cosmetic products and ingredients before going on the market. These unregulated chemicals and ingredients may prove harmful to your skin and irritate existing skin conditions. Cleansing with products that are laden with harsh chemicals, or even products that are simply not suited to your skin type, will significantly aggravate your sensitive skin.
What’s the Remedy?
Choose cleansers and moisturizers that earn your confidence. Fewer ingredients and names that are easy to pronounce are a good place to start, but ultimately having and using cleansers, serums, and creams suited to your skin type which help your skin heal and look its best will help undo and correct the damage done from harmful products.
We stand behind our Calming Cleanser as a gentle and effective cleanser specifically designed for sensitive skin. Our full line of skin care products is designed to nourish and rejuvenate your skin, restoring a youthful glow and helping your complexion look better than ever before. Because it’s invaluable to use products suited for your skin type, contact us if you have any questions about which products most recommended for you.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones change as you age, and this can present itself in skin sensitivities and blemishes. Your skin’s elasticity is reduced as elastin and collagen production decrease, and areas of skin that received more sun exposure may develop age spots or lentigos. Oil production decreases as well, so dry skin may become more of an issue.
What’s the Remedy?
A skin care regimen targeting mature skin. Not every facial cleanser is created equally, nor does it target skin in the same season of life. A quality skin care regimen made specifically for your skin’s needs will be far more effective in treating skin sensitivities associated with hormonal changes. Hormonal shifts may be an expected part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from sensitive skin because of them. A targeted skin care regimen will help revive and restore vitality to skin lacking the youthful luster it once had. The sooner you get started with it, the sooner you will see and feel improvement. Ask us about our unique line of skin care products we have designed with you in mind.
Genetics
Perhaps sensitive skin is all you’ve ever known due to genetic influence: your mother, sisters, grandmother, and aunts have all had sensitive skin, and you do too. But just because something is genetic doesn’t mean you have to live uncomfortably.
What’s the Remedy?
The answer to this can vary, depending on what kind of skin sensitivity it is. At the Elizabeth Roche Med Spa, we take a friendly and professional approach to each of our patients. We see you as an individual, and the treatments and procedures we make available are suggested as part of a unique treatment plan that is uniquely tailored to your needs.
If you’re ready to explore the options we have available, to improve the vitality and health of your complexion and erase the insecurities that come with sensitive skin, contact us today. We are ready to help you live healthfully and radiantly!