Sensitive Skin in China

Miranda A. Farage, Christian P. Mandl, Enzo Berardesca, Howard I. Maibach

Department of Dermatology University of San Francisco, Medical School, San Francisco, USA.
San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy.
The Procter & Gamble Company, Schwalbach, Germany.
The Procter & Gamble Company, Winton Hill Business Center, Cincinnati, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jcdsa.2012.23035                

Abstract

Background: Many consumers in the USA and Europe define themselves as having sensitive skin, a phenomenon whose etiology appears to include both physiological and psychosocial factors. Objectives: Sensitive skin data from the developing world is sparse. This study evaluates the prevalence and characteristics of sensitive skin in China and compares data collected to existing data from the western world. Patients/Materials/Methods: A total of 408 Chinese women voluntarily completed a survey on sensitive skin. Results: Some degree of skin sensitivity was claimed by 94 (23%) of respondents; most (90.4%) said their skin was only slightly or moderately sensitive. Facial sensitivity was claimed by 21% of Chinese women, sensitivity of the body surface by 9% and genital sensitivity by only 6%. Small numbers of respondents reported a history of skin allergy (3%) or a familial history of sensitive skin (2%). Many reported making buying decisions based on product claims. Conclusions: Only 23% of Chinese women claimed any degree of sensitive skin, a prevalence substantially lower than that observed in most Western countries. Sensitivity of the genital skin, in particular, was dramatically lower, suggesting at least some cultural component to perceptions of sensitive skin.

Keywords

Sensitive Skin; Genital Skin, ; Irritation; Skin Sensitivity; Stinging; Erythema; Feminine Hygiene; Fabrics; Sensory

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	M. A. Farage, “How Do Perceptions of Sensitive Skin Differ at Different Anatomical Sites? An Epidemiological Study,” Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Vol. 38, No. 8, 2009, pp. e521-e530. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03487.xU
[2]	L. Misery, E. Myon, N. Martin, S. Consoli, T. Nocera and C. Taieb. “Sensitive Skin: Epidemiological Approach and Impact on Quality of Life in France,” In: E. Berardesca, J. W. Fluhr and H. I. Maibach, Eds., Sensitive Skin Syndrome, Taylor & Francis, New York, 2006, pp. 181-191.
[3]	L. Misery, S. Boussetta, T. Nocera, N. Perez-Cullell and C. Taieb, “Sensitive Skin in Europe,” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Vol. 23, No. 4, 2009, pp. 376-381. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.03037.xU
[4]	C. M. Willis, S. Shaw, O. De Lacharrière, M. Baverel, L. Reiche, R. Jourdain, P. Bastien and J. D. Wilkinson, “Sensitive Skin: An Epidemiological Study,” The British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 145, No. 2, 2001, pp. 258-263. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04343.xU
[5]	L. Misery, E. Myon, N. Martin, S. Consoli, S. Boussetta, T. Nocera and C. Taieb, “Sensitive Skin: Psychological Effects and Seasonal Changes,” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Vol. 21, No. 5, 2007, pp. 620-628.
[6]	H. Loffler, “Contact Allergy and Sensitive Skin,” In: E. Berardesca, J. Fluhr and H. Maibach, Eds., Sensitive Skin Syndrome, Taylor and Francis, New York, 2006, pp. 225-235.
[7]	M. A. Farage, K. W. Miller, P. Elsner and H. I. Maibach, “Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors in Skin Ageing: A Review,” International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Vol. 30, No. 2, 2008, pp. 87-95. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2007.00415.xU
[8]	B. G. Green, “Measurement of Sensory Irritation of the Skin,” American Journal of Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2000, pp. 170-180. doi:10.1053/ajcd.2000.7185U
[9]	M. B. Britz and H. I. Maibach, “Human Cutaneous Vulvar Reactivity to Irritants,” Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 5, No. 6, 1979, pp. 375-377. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1979.tb04908.xU
[10]	P. Elsner, D. Wilhelm and H. I. Maibach, “Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-Induced Irritant Contact Dermatitis in Vulvar and Forearm Skin of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women,” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Vol. 23, No. 4, 1990, pp. 648-652.
[11]	M. A. Farage, “Does Sensitive Skin Differ between Men and Women?” Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, Vol. 29, No. 3, 2010, pp. 153-163. doi:10.3109/15569521003774990U
[12]	M. A. Farage, “Perceptions of Sensitive Skin: Changes in Perceived Severity and Associations with Environmental Causes,” Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 59, No. 4, 2008, pp. 226-232. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01398.xU
[13]	M. A. Farage and H. I. Maibach, “Sensitive Skin: Closing in on a Physiological Cause,” Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 62, No. 3, 2010, pp. 137-149. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01697.xU
[14]	M. A. Farage, A. Katsarou and H. I. Maibach, “Sensory, Clinical and Physiological Factors in Sensitive Skin: A Review,” Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 55, No. 1, 2006, pp. 1-14. doi:10.1111/j.0105-1873.2006.00886.xU
[15]	E. Berardesca, J. Fluhr and H. Maibach, “Sensitive Skin Syndrome,” Taylor and Francis, New York, 2006.
[16]	A. Johnson and D. Page, “Making Sense of Sensitive Skin,” Congress of the International Federation of Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Yokohama, 13-16 October 1992.
[17]	M. A. Farage, P. Bowtell and A. Katsarou, “Self-Diagnosed Sensitive Skin in Women with Clinically Diagnosed Atopic Dermatitis,” Clinical Medicine: Dermatology, Vol. 2, 2008, pp. 21-28.
[18]	C. Saint-Martory, A. M. Roguedas-Contios, V. Sibaud, A. Degouy, A. M. Schmitt and L. Misery, “Sensitive Skin Is Not Limited to the Face,” The British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 158, No. 1, 2008, pp. 130-133.
[19]	A. Sparavigna, A. Di Pietro and M. Setaro, “Healthy Skin: Significance and Results of an Italian Study on Healthy Population with Particular Regard to ‘Sensitive’ Skin,” International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Vol. 27, No. 6, 2005, pp. 327-331. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00287.xU
[20]	F. Morizot, C. Guinot, S. Lopez, I. Le Fur, E. Tschachler and C. Wood, “Sensitive Skin: Analysis of Symptoms, Perceived Causes and Possible Mechanisms,” Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 115, 2000, pp. 83-89.
[21]	C. Guinot, D. Malvy, E. Mauger, K. Ezzedine, J. Latreille, L. Ambroisine, M. Tenenhaus, P. Préziosi, F. Morizot, P. Galan, S. Hercberg and E. Tschachler, “Self-Reported Skin Sensitivity in a General Adult Population in France: Data of the SU.VI.MAX Cohort,” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Vol. 20, No. 4, 2006, pp. 380-390. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01455.xU
[22]	R. Jourdain, O. de Lacharrière, P. Bastien and H. I. Mai- bach, “Ethnic Variations in Self-Perceived Sensitive Skin: Epidemiological Survey,” Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2002, pp. 162-169. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.460307.xU
[23]	L. Misery, V. Sibaud, M. Ambronati, G. Macy, S. Bous- setta and C. Taieb, “Sensitive Scalp: Does This Condition Exist? An Epidemiological Study,” Contact Dermatitis, Vol. 58, No. 4, 2008, pp. 234-238. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01288.xU