ABSTRACT
Structural differences in the skin can contribute to differences in barrier function and, therefore, differences in skin sensitivity between anatomical regions. The etiology of sensitive skin is unknown, but the disorder is believed to be related to a number of intrinsic physiological characteristics and other causes, including alterations in skin barrier function, neurosensory function, and other host and external factors. Questionnaire-based surveys have identified a variety of external stimuli as triggers of sensitive skin. As reviewed by Tagami, genital skin demonstrated the thinnest stratum corneum (SC), followed by the face, neck, scalp, trunk, and extremities. When both venous blood and menses were evaluated for irritant potential, the vulva was less responsive to both than was the upper arm suggesting that the labia majora is adapted to be less sensitive to menses-induced skin irritation. The chapter describes some examples of test methodologies used to identify individuals with sensitive skin.
