Development of a Novel Approach to Studying Corneodesmosomes and Stratum Corneum Adhesion: Extending Knowledge on the Pathophysiology of Sensitive Skin.

Background/aims: Aberrant skin barrier and intercorneocyte adhesion are potential contributors to the pathomechanism of sensitive skin (SS). Here we aimed to develop a novel and easy-to-apply method to analyze corneodesmosomes and to interrogate potential differences between corneocytes of subjects with SS and non-SS (NSS).

Methods: Corneocytes of the volar forearm and upper outer quadrant of the left buttock of SS (n = 10) and NSS (n = 8) subjects were extracted as a function of depth using adhesive tape and stained with anti-desmoglein 1 (DSG1) antibody.

Histamine Iontophoresis as in vivo Model to Study Human Skin Inflammation with Minimal Barrier Impairment: Pilot Study Results of Application of the Model to a Sensitive Skin Panel.

Background/aims: Histamine iontophoresis is known to elicit itch and a wheal-and-flare reaction; however, its impact on the skin barrier and underlying compartments has not been thoroughly evaluated yet. The primary objective of this study was to characterize that using immunohistochemistry, biophysical measurements, and image analysis, and secondly, to explore whether skin reactions to this model differ in sensitive skin (SS).

Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects, n = 9 with SS and n = 9 with non-sensitive skin (NSS), were included based on a perception-based questionnaire.

Risk factors associated with sensitive skin and potential role of lifestyle habits: a cross-sectional study.

Sensitive skin (SS) is a widespread condition, but still not completely understood. To identify risk factors that increase the likelihood of SS, 258 women aged between 20 and 65 years old and resident in the Netherlands were surveyed by questionnaire, which included questions on sociodemographic characteristics (age group, Fitzpatrick skin type, hormonal status), health state (atopic predisposition, skin diseases) and lifestyle habits (history of smoking and of sun exposure, frequency of physical exercise). Analysis of the responses confirmed that atopic predisposition, presence of skin diseases and Fitzpatrick skin types I and II are risk factors significantly associated with SS.

Sensitive Skin: Assessment of the Skin Barrier Using Confocal Raman Microspectroscopy.

Background/aims: Sensitive skin (SS), a frequently reported condition in the Western world, has been suggested to be underlined by an impaired skin barrier. The aim of this study was to investigate the skin barrier molecular composition in SS subjects using confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRS), and to compare it with that of non-SS (NSS) individuals as well as atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) subjects, who frequently report SS.

Methods: Subjects with SS (n = 29), NSS (n = 30), AD (n = 11), and AR (n = 27) were included.

Sensitive skin and the influence of female hormone fluctuations: results from a cross-sectional digital survey in the Dutch population.

Sensitive skin is a widespread condition, which is most frequently reported by women. Changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle and menopause have been suggested among the stimuli triggering sensitive skin. To investigate the perceived influence of fluctuating hormone levels on self-assessed sensitive skin, including symptoms and stimuli linked to skin sensitivity, as well as potential changes in facial and body skin and sensitive body parts, depending on hormonal status.

A model for perception-based identification of sensitive skin.

Background: With high prevalence of sensitive skin (SS), lack of strong evidence on pathomechanisms, consensus on associated symptoms, proof of existence of 'general' SS and tools to recruit subjects, this topic attracts increasing attention of research.

Objective: To create a model for selecting subjects in studies on SS by identifying a complete set of self-reported SS characteristics and factors discriminatively describing it.

Methods: A survey (n = 3058) was conducted, comprising questions regarding socio-demographics, atopy, skin characteristics, personal care, degree of self-assessed SS and subjective and objective reactions to endogenous and exogenous factors.

Clinical, biophysical, immunohistochemical, and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy evaluation of the response of subjects with sensitive skin to home-use fractional non-ablative photothermolysis device.

Background: Fractional photothermolysis using professional devices is a well-accepted and a widely used technique for skin rejuvenation. Recently, the technology has also been implemented in devices for home-use. Yet, a subpopulation of consumers exists that reacts excessively to this stimulation and reports "sensitive skin" (SS).

Microspectroscopic Confocal Raman and Macroscopic Biophysical Measurements in the in vivo Assessment of the Skin Barrier: Perspective for Dermatology and Cosmetic Sciences.

Skin barrier function, confined to the stratum corneum, is traditionally evaluated using established, noninvasive biophysical methods like transepidermal water loss, capacitance and conductance. However, these methods neither measure skin molecular composition nor its structure, hindering the actual causes of skin barrier change or impairment. At the same time, confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRS) can directly measure skin molecular composition and structure and has proven itself to be a powerful technique for biomolecular analysis.

What is sensitive skin? A systematic literature review of objective measurements.

Despite sensitive skin being highly prevalent, no consensus on the definition and pathomechanism of sensitive skin exists. Here we report the results of a systematic literature review of diagnostic methods for sensitive skin at clinical, histological and biophysical levels. A systematic search revealed 27 out of 1,701 articles which we appraised in detail.