Sensitive skin syndrome is a widely reported complaint but a diagnostic challenge because of its subjective symptoms and lack of clearly visible manifestations. Epidemiological studies have shown the prevalence of sensitive skin to be as high as 60% to 70% among women and 50% to 60% among men. Clients with this syndrome usually have unpleasant sensations when exposed to physical, thermal, or chemical stimuli that normally cause no provocation on healthy skin.  

Sensitive skin has several causes, including genetic predisposition, environmental factors and stressors, an unhealthy skin barrier, hormonal imbalances or fluctuations, stress, medical conditions, and allergic reactions. That being said, when new clients with sensitive skin come in for a treatment, their sensitivity is often the first anecdote they talk about themselves. They let their skin care provider know because the last thing they want during a relaxing facial is to deal with stinging and burning – and who could blame them? 

Beth Ann Maloney is a professional with over 22 years’ experience in medical aesthetics treatments, product knowledge, education, sales and skin disorders. She works as a Southeast trainer for a French skin care company and the national trainer for a Swiss skin care company. Maloney also works as an aesthetics educator at Boca Beauty Academy. She has been an educator of advanced aesthetics for the prestigious aesthetics school, Catherine Hinds Institute and has done product reviews for skin care companies, authored articles for industry publications, edited and contributed to the latest edition of Milday’s Basic Esthetics textbook, and created many video tutorials on skin treatments for her YouTube channel.