Open AccessConsumer perception of sensitive hands: what is behind it?
Author(s) -
Paye M.,
Dalimier Ch.,
Cartiaux Y.,
Chabassol C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.1999.tb00200.x
Subject(s) - stratum corneum , dryness , perception , erythema , dry skin , population , sensitive skin , stripping (fiber) , dermatology , medicine , psychology , audiology , surgery , pathology , environmental health , materials science , neuroscience , composite material
Background/aims: Sensitive skin is a regular matter of complaint from consumers. Skin being physiologically and historically different on different body parts, this study aims at characterizing hand skin from a population of subjects complaining of sensitive hands. Methods: A survey was performed on a panel of 150 women. One‐third claimed to have “sensitive hands”. Their hand skin condition was compared to those claiming to have “non‐sensitive hands” by means of a self‐evaluation questionnaire, clinical examination (erythema, dryness), instrumental measurements (reflectance spectrometry, evaporimetry, skin surface capacitance and biomechanic properties measurements) and analysis of stratum corneum tape stripping. The two groups were also compared for their ability to perceive differences in the feel of consumer products on their hands. Results: “Sensitive hands” subjects perceived their hands as being dry and irritated. Such subjective perceptions were confirmed by visual assessment of erythema, capacitance measurement and stratum corneum stripping analysis. There was no correlation between the perception of sensitive hands and the ability of better perceiving the feel on skin of everyday products. Conclusion: Sensitive hands perception is a reality sustained by measurable skin condition changes. It merits to be further investigated and should be taken into account.