Sensitive Skin in the United States: Survey of Regional Differences

Background: Sensitive skin, a phenomenon claimed by the majority of female consumers across the industrialized world, is not well understood. Multiple studies investigating the biology of reported discomfort have been unable to establish reliable diagnostic criteria. The influence of geographical and cultural influences, including health and beauty product advertising, on perceptions of sensitive skin are increasingly being recognized. Objective: To evaluate southern American women for the perception of sensitive skin and compare to results of previous surveys in other regions of the US. Patients/Materials/Methods: A written questionnaire for self-reported perception of facial, genital, and body skin sensitivity was administered to 86 females in Mississippi (MS). Statistical analysis was performed on the data and compared with previous results. Results: Women in Mississippi reported any skin sensitivity at significantly higher rater than those in Ohio although they reported very or moderately sensitive skin at rates lower than other regions of the US. Conclusions: This study confirms previous studies that have shown that women across the industrialized world report some degree of skin sensitivity at fairly high levels and that environmental factors such as weather can contribute to the perception of sensitive skin. It is increasingly recognized that psychosocial influences as well as biological factors can contribute to skin sensitivity. Cultural contributions to the perception of skin sensitivity, particularly in women, are often ignored but should be considered as a likely component of sensitive skin perceptions.