Does sensitive skin lie in epidermal barrier impairment or abnormalities? Results from an observational study assessing biophysical parameters.

Background: The pathophysiology of sensitive skin is largely unknown and no univocal data on the role of the epidermal barrier impairment have been identified. The aim of this study was to assess whether subjects with or without sensitive skin differ for some biophysical skin parameters, which reflect skin barrier integrity or skin hyperactivity.

Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study included adult volunteers not affected with chronic inflammatory skin diseases who attended the Unit of Dermatology and the Center of Cosmetology of the University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy, between March 2021 and November 2022.

Results from an extended study on the reliability of a questionnaire for the diagnosis of sensitive skin: Confirmations and improvements.

Objective: A recently proposed self-assessment questionnaire aimed at diagnosing sensitive skin provided promising results in a relatively small population. The main objectives were: (i) to assess the reliability of the aforementioned questionnaire in a larger population and verify the cut-off score previously found to predict skin sensitivity (defined as positivity to LAST, lactic acid stinging test) and (ii) to define a formula that yields the probability of a positive LAST result.

Methods: Adult volunteers were included in this observational, cross-sectional, extended study.

Proposal of a self-assessment questionnaire for the diagnosis of sensitive skin.

Background: Sensitive skin is very common and distressing. Its diagnosis may be difficult with the tools/methods available at the moment.

Aims: To assess the reliability of a self-assessment questionnaire for the diagnosis of sensitive skin, using the results of lactic acid stinging test (LAST) as a reference for the identification of subjects suffering from this condition.