ABSTRACT
The differences in skin sensitivity between ethnic groups concerned mostly factors of skin reactivity and, to a lesser extent, its symptomatology. To examine possible ethnic variations in the perception of sensitive skin, an epidemiological survey was performed in the San Francisco area. There was no statistical difference between the ethnic groups in terms of sensitive skin prevalence. From the medical point of view, especially dermatological, there is no interest to separate people into different ethnic groups because there is no relationship with their phenotype, their phototype, or any other characteristic of the body and especially the skin. Euro-Americans were characterized by a higher skin reactivity to wind and tended to be less reactive to cosmetics. African Americans presented diminished skin reactivity to most environmental factors and a lower frequency of recurring facial redness. Asians appeared to have greater skin reactivity to spicy food, to sudden changes in temperature, and to wind and tended to suffer from itching more frequently.
