Practical Approaches to the Diagnosis and Management of Sensitive Skin: A Scoping Review

February 2023 | Volume 22 | Issue 2 | 228 | Copyright © February 2023


Erika T. McCormick BSc, Sapana Desai MD, Adam Friedman MD FAAD

George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Department of Dermatology,
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA

In conclusion, SS management is highly personalized and relies on strong patient-physician partnership and a high level of patient involvement to achieve relief of symptoms, optimize skincare, and identify triggers. There is a need for affordable, efficacious, and scientifically-tested therapeutics for SS. Currently, an overall paucity of literature on SS management and heterogenous methods for diagnosis and outcome-tracking make it difficult to gauge comparative efficacy of therapeutic options. We intended to simplify current evidence and highlight relevant data applicable to clinical practice. We hope that future research can explore SS pathophysiology, therapeutic targets, and product evaluation in SS patients.

Acknowledgement
EM’s research is funded through an independent research grant from Galderma.

Disclosure
AF and EM have received research grants from Galderma.

REFERENCES

  1. Guerra-Tapia A, Serra-Baldrich E, Prieto Cabezas L, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of sensitive skin syndrome: An algorithm for clinical practice. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2019;110(10):800-808. doi:10.1016/J.AD.2018.10.021
  2. Resende DISP, Ferreira MS, Sousa-Lobo JM, et al. Usage of synthetic peptides in cosmetics for sensitive skin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8). doi:10.3390/PH14080702
  3. Misery L, Sibaud V, Merial-Kieny C, et al. Sensitive skin in the American population: Prevalence, clinical data, and role of the dermatologist. Int J Dermatol. 2011;50(8):961-967. doi:10.1111/J.1365-4632.2011.04884.X
  4. Lev-Tov H, Maibach HI. The sensitive skin syndrome. Indian J Dermatol. 2012;57(6):419. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.103059
  5. Inamadar AC, Palit A. Sensitive skin: An overview. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79(1):9-16. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.104664
  6. Misery L, Jean-Decoster C, Mery S, et al. A new ten-item questionnaire for assessing sensitive skin: The sensitive scale-10. Acta Derm Venereol. 2014;94(6):635-639. doi:10.2340/00015555-1870/
  7. Planells-Cases R, Garcìa-Sanz N, Morenilla-Palao C, et al. Functional aspects and mechanisms of TRPV1 involvement in neurogenic inflammation that leads to thermal hyperalgesia. Pflugers Arch. 2005;451(1):151-159. doi:10.1007/S00424-005-1423-5
  8. Pereira U, Boulais N, Lebonvallet N, et al. Mechanisms of the sensory effects of tacrolimus on the skin. Br J Dermatol. 2010;163(1):70-77. doi:10.1111/J.1365-2133.2010.09757.X
  9. Xie ZQ, Lan YZ. Effectiveness of pimecrolimus cream for women patients with sensitive skin and its underlying mechanism. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2012;34(4):375-378. doi:10.3881/J.ISSN.1000- 503X.2012.04.012
  10. Cheong WK. Gentle cleansing and moisturizing for patients with atopic dermatitis and sensitive skin. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2009;10 Suppl 1:13-17. doi:10.2165/0128071-200910001-00003
  11. Goh CL, Wu Y, Welsh B, et al. Expert consensus on holistic skin care routine: Focus on acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and sensitive skin syndrome. J Cosmet Dermatol. Epub ahead of print; Nov 21, 2022. doi:10.1111/JOCD.15519
  12. Hawkins SS, Subramanyan K, Liu D, et al. Cleansing, moisturizing, and sun-protection regimens for normal skin, self-perceived sensitive skin, and dermatologist-assessed sensitive skin. Dermatol Ther. 2004;17:63-68. doi:10.1111/J.1396-0296.2004.04S1008.X
  13. Hawkins SS, Foy V. The spectrum of sensitive skin: considerations for skin care in vulnerable populations. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1s):s68-74. PMID: 30681812.
  14. Schachner LA, Andriessen A, Benjamin L, et al. A consensus about the importance of ceramide containing skincare for normal and sensitive skin conditions in neonates and infants. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(8):769-776. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5252
  15. Tantry E, Perez-Sanchez A, Fu S, et al. Labeling laws for personal care products: Potential pitfalls for the consumer. Skin Therapy Lett. 2021;26(5):1-6.
  16. Yuan J, Gao Y, Li Z, et al. Effective of a novel technique for sensitive skin treatment with optimal pulse technology: A clinical study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(10):4345-4353. doi:10.1111/JOCD.14764
  17. Sonbol H, Brenaut E, Nowak E, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of phototherapy with light-emitting diodes for sensitive skin: A pilot study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:35. doi:10.3389/FMED.2020.00035
  18. Choi M, Kim JE, Cho KH, et al. In vivo and in vitro analysis of low level light therapy: A useful therapeutic approach for sensitive skin. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28(6):1573-1579. doi:10.1007/S10103-013-1281-X
  19. Jin T, Pan L, Zhao Y, et al. Treatment of sensitive skin by short-wave radiofrequency combined with intense pulsed light. J Cosmet Dermatol. Epub ahead of print; Sep 6, 2022. doi:10.1111/JOCD.15322
  20. Ye C, Zhang Y, Su Z, et al. hMSC exosomes as a novel treatment for female sensitive skin: An in vivo study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022;10. doi:10.3389/FBIOE.2022.1053679
  21. García-Millan C, Pino A, Rodrigues R, et al. An autologous topical serum derived from platelet-rich plasma therapy for the management of sensitive skin alterations: A case series report. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:2077-2086. doi:10.2147/CCID.S379323
  22. Ferreira MS, Sousa Lobo JM, Almeida IF. Sensitive skin: Active ingredients on the spotlight. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(1):56-73. doi:10.1111/ICS.12754
  23. Coderch L, López O, de La Maza A, et al. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(2):107-129. doi:10.2165/00128071-200304020- 00004
  24. Ma Y, Cui L, Tian Y, et al. Lipidomics analysis of facial lipid biomarkers in females with self-perceived skin sensitivity. Health Sci Rep. 2022;5(3). doi:10.1002/HSR2.632
  25. Cho HJ, Chung BY, Lee HB, et al. Quantitative study of stratum corneum ceramides contents in patients with sensitive skin. J Dermatol. 2012;39(3):295-300. doi:10.1111/J.1346-8138.2011.01406.X
  26. Yashiki K, Ohto N, Kawashima Y, et al. The effect of dipotassium glycyrrhiza on sensitive skin care. Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan. 2017;50(4):334-339. doi:10.5107/SCCJ.50.334
  27. Schoelermann AM, Jung KA, Buck B, et al. Comparison of skin calming effects of cosmetic products containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol or acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester on capsaicin-induced facial stinging in volunteers with sensitive skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30 Suppl 1:18-20. doi:10.1111/JDV.13530
  28. Jovanovic Z, Angabini N, Ehlen S, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a cosmetic skin care product with Trans-4-t-butylcyclohexanol and Licochalcone A in subjects with sensitive skin prone to redness and rosacea. J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(6):605-610.
  29. Sulzberger M, Worthmann AC, Holtzmann U, et al. Effective treatment for sensitive skin: 4-t-butylcyclohexanol and licochalcone A. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30:9-17. doi:10.1111/jdv.13529
  30. Draelos ZD, Gunt H, Zeichner J, et al Clinical evaluation of a nature-based bakuchiol anti-aging moisturizer for sensitive skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(12):1181-1183. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5522
  31. Guéniche A, Bastien P, Ovigne JM, et al. Bifidobacterium longum lysate, a new ingredient for reactive skin. Exp Dermatol. 2010;19(8). doi:10.1111/ J.1600-0625.2009.00932.X
  32. Kern C, Gombert C, Roso A, et al. Effect of the supplementation of virgin coriander seed oil on reducing reactivity in healthy women with sensitive skin: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot clinical study. Food Nutr Res. 2022;66. doi:10.29219/FNR.V66.7730
  33. de Campos Dieamant G, Velazquez Pereda MDC, Eberlin S, et al. Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008;7(2):112-119. doi:10.1111/ J.1473-2165.2008.00373.X
  34. Hettwer S, Bänziger S, Suter B, et al. Grifolin derivatives from Albatrellus ovinus as TRPV1 receptor blockers for cosmetic applications. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2017;39(4):379-385. doi:10.1111/ICS.12385
  35. Seité S, Benech F, Berdah S, et al. Management of rosacea-prone skin: evaluation of a skincare product containing Ambophenol, Neurosensine, and La Roche-Posay thermal spring water as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(8):920-924. Accessed November 15, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/med/23986166

AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Adam Friedman MD FAAD ajfriedman@mfa.gwu.edu
Close Menu