Sensitive
skin
In addition to these recognised types of skin, many people believe
that they have 'sensitive skin'.
Doctors and scientists are not completely
agreed about what 'sensitive skin' is, but it may generally be considered
as skin which is easily irritated. It is more commonly associated
with people with type I skin, and probably has a genetic element.
Some people with this condition cannot tolerate
contact with any cosmetic products, however well-formulated they may
be. |
|
Sensitive skin
can be associated with a medical condition called atopy, where
people have an inherited predisposition to eczema, hay fever and asthma.
Atopy is discussed further in Chapter 3,
'Some common skin problems'.
Atopic skin. About 15-20% of the population have the genetic ability
to develop eczema, asthma and hay fever. The figure has risen considerably in
the last few decades.
In
several surveys, up to 70% of women said they thought they had 'sensitive
skin'. |
Greasy
(oily) skin
Greasy skin (sometimes called seborrhoeic skin) generally appears
at puberty although in a few people it starts much earlier, from the
age of six upwards. It is rare after the age of 35. It involves only
the upper part of the body, where greater numbers of sebaceous glands
are found.
This type of skin is particularly common
in |
|
|
adolescents and young adults.
At this age there is in both sexes a dramatic increase in sebum production
under the influence of the male sex hormones. The extra sebum gives
the skin a shiny appearance, especially on the nose and forehead.
The epidermis tends to thicken, due to increased keratin production,
and the pores dilate. As a result the skin feels rough and irregular.
Mixed skin
Mixed skin (often called combination skin) is characterised
on the face by thickened, shiny skin associated with patches of dry
skin. |
|
|
|
