People whose skin reacts quickly to hot and cold conditions and responds to certain allergic responses are said to have sensitive skin. If your skin frequently experiences dry skin, redness, acne, hives, blemishes, sunburns and bumps, then you may also have sensitive skin. If your skin is of a fair complexion, then you are more prone to sunburns and freckling, along with other problems like wrinkles, fine lines and cosmetic reactions. Treatment for sensitive skin varies with the symptoms and signs present.
Laser Treatments
Facial redness, sun spots, acne scars and such blemishes can be treated with laser treatments and intense pulsed light therapies. This treatment can also reduce spider veins, thickened skin and red scars easily and gently. As the light emitted from this treatment has a wavelength that can effectively disintegrate swollen blood vessels, it helps in reducing the redness and thickening of skin.
Chemical Peels
To get relief from acne, wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage, chemical peels may prove to be useful. But, since your skin is sensitive, you should try mild chemical peeling and then you can go for stronger ones. An ideal option would be to start with a glycolic or lactic acid peel and wait for any adverse reactions. This peeling should be done at a dermatologist’s office or clinic only.
You will have to follow the peeling session with cryotherapy or a hydrating facial. Cryotherapy is a dry ice treatment, which helps in removing flakes and aids in quick healing. This treatment has to be done for four days from the day of peeling. A hydrating facial is a facial that can replenish the moisture of your face, and this has to be done four days after the chemical peel.
However, if your skin is too sensitive, then you can make use of these special peels available with dermatologists.
- Oxygen Peel: It is a treatment where oxygenation is done to clear acne and decrease the pore size. Thus, the skin gets exfoliated and it can breathe easily, which in turn helps the healthy cells to grow. This is a milder peel that is suitable for sensitive skin.
- Ultra Peel: This is a specially designed peel for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin and sun burnt skin. It involves the application of 2 to 3 layers of acid, which effectively removes hyper-pigmentation, blemishes or discoloration.
Sensitive Skin Care Products
Acne may be treated with the help of topical antibacterial or anti-fungal creams. But, creams which contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may further inflame your sensitive skin. Hence, look for an antibacterial cream suitable for sensitive skin. Over-the-counter face washes and oral medication may also be taken to reduce the acne problems. Skin care products may also be used to reduce the symptoms of itching and rashes. Moisturizers can be used as a treatment option for flaky and dry skin.
Word of Caution
You should consult a good dermatologist whenever you observe any kind of unusual reaction on your skin, instead of trying all the available over-the-counter products. Many symptoms of sensitive skin can be due to underlying medical conditions like Eczema, Psoriasis, Urticaria Dematographism or Rosacea, which must be properly diagnosed and treated.
