ABSTRACT
Some studies regarding the prevalence of sensitive skin syndrome (SSS) clearly reveal values as high as 60" among women and 45" among men which, beyond the evidence of the magnitude of this health problem, explains the remarkable boom of a rapidly growing market, especially among industrialized countries. An impaired barrier seems to be linked to lactic acid sting test (LAST) scores so that the LAST has been useful in detecting sensitive individuals where higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values were measured. Despite the recognized criticisms, TEWL is still the most relevant variable to consider when trying to characterize barrier impairment in the sensitive skin context. Some degree of barrier impairment and higher than normal TEWL measurements were expected in the sensitive skin group. In addition to the individual's neurosensory hyperreactivity, on the basis of which sensations of discomfort are self-perceived, an impaired skin barrier function favoring the intervention of inflammatory mediators is consistently expected.
