That you have extra healthy skin concerns Skin care is the range of practices that support skin integrity including nutrition, avoidance of excessive sun exposure, and appropriate use of emollients; that enhance appearance such as use of cosmetics, botulinum, exfoliation, fillers, laser resurfacing microdermabrasion, peels, retinol therapy; and that remediate Skin care break down and relieve skin conditions. Skin care is a routine daily procedure in many settings, such as skin that is either too dry or too moist, and prevention of dermatitis and prevention of skin injuries. Skin care is a component in wound healing, neonates, elderly, stomas, radiation treatment and with some medications. Skin care sits at the interface of what is commonly thought of as personal care products, some of which are traditionally a medical discipline in which medical doctors diagnose and treat skin diseases there is some overlap with each of these topics. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics as products intended to cleanse or beautify (for instance, shampoos and lipstick). A separate category exists for medications, which are intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body (for instance, sunscreens and acne creams), although some products, such as moisturizing sunscreens and anti-dandruff shampoos, are regulated within both categories. Sunscreens may come in the form of creams, gels or lotions; their SPF number indicates their effectiveness in protecting the skin from the sun's radiation. There are sunscreens available to suit every skin type; in particular, those with onily skin should choose non-comedogenic sunscreens; those with dry skins should choose sunscreens with moisturizers to help keep skin hydrated, and those with sensitive skin should choose unscented, hypoallergenic sunscreen and spot-test in an inconspicuous place (such as the inside of the elbow or behind the ear) to ensure that it does not irritate the skin. The term sensitive skin is commonly used to describe a reduced tolerance to make-up and personal care products on the face and body—but it can mean a lot of things to different women. As a dermatologist, one of the top concerns my patients share about the skin beyond their face is how to care for sensitive skin on their body. People often assume that sensitive skin is a result of the environment, the weather, or that it’s just how their skin is. While the weather and the environment are factors that can impact experiencing sensitive skin symptoms, there can be much more to the story. What is Sensitive Skin? The term sensitive skin is commonly used to describe a reduced tolerance to make-up and personal care products on the face and body—but it can mean a lot of things to different women. In general, sensitive skin is divided into four categories: Acne, rosacea, burning/stinging and contact dermatitis—which breaks down into allergies and irritants. Most of these classifications are focused on facial skin, even though women experience symptoms of sensitive skin on other parts of the body as well. Concerning the skin below your face, irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type of sensitive skin. Sensitive Skin is Universal Women of all ages, skin tones, types and in all parts of the world can experience symptoms of sensitive skin. In a recent survey conducted by Gillette Venus, 99.6% of women worldwide identified themselves as having sensitive skin on parts of their bodies other than the face. Of those who reported some level of sensitive skin, women universally believe they have sensitive skin in the areas of the body they shave, identifying themselves as having the highest instance of sensitive skin in the bikini area, reported by 93%, followed by underarms at 88% and legs at 80%. Of these women globally, dryness (68%) was the most commonly cited symptom leading women to believe they had sensitive skin on their legs, while redness was the leading symptom both for bikini (57%) and underarms (42%). The Skin-ny on Shaving and Sensitivity Women often mistake symptoms of shaving irritation from using a poor quality razor for sensitive skin. Gillette Venus found this myth to be commonly held among women worldwide, with 75% of survey respondents sharing that they experience irritation on their legs, underarms or bikini after shaving. Of those women who experience irritation after shaving, the most noted belief as to why this occurs is that they just have sensitive skin. However, 82% of US dermatologists surveyed by Gillette Venus weighed in with the truth, agreeing that irritation from shaving is often confused with having sensitive skin. Here’s how to spot the most often reported skin irritation symptoms, typically damage to the epidermis, which women experience as a result of shaving: Redness on the skin: change of color on the skin toward redness that indicates increased blood flow to that area; will include warm temperature feeling of the skin Raised bumps: small raised area above the level of the skin Underarm/bikini: likely an ingrown hair (see ingrown hairs below) Legs: considered folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicle Razor burn: inflammation of the skin following shaving (includes redness, warmth & sensitivity) Itchy skin: skin itches when it’s irritated or dry Flakiness or peeling of the skin: represents dry, dead skin that’s detaching from the skin below Stinging and burning: another manifestation of inflammation and irritation Ingrown hairs: hairs that grow into or under the skin that are associated with a red, painful bump; typically found in underarm and bikini areas Cut: a break in the skin Nick: a small cut