“Healthy skin:” significance and results of an italian study on healthy population with particular regard to “sensitive” skin

“Healthy skin:” significance and results of an italian study on healthy population with particular regard to “sensitive” skin

Sparavigna A, Di Pietro A, Setaro M. - International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2005 (In press)

There is an increasing demand in general population regarding skin healthiness and improvement of aesthetical appearance, indicating that people require more information about how to treat healthy skin and to prevent skin disease. The study described in this paper is the result of a campaign on healthy skin organised by the International Society of Plastic Dermatology (ISPLAD) . This campaign was at the same time an occasion to perform an epidemiological study on Italian population and was conducted during only one month throughout Italy. 462 dermatologists all over of Italy joined the project. Study protocol and diagnostic kits were provided to all adhering dermatologists. After signing an informed consent, subjects were submitted to anamnesis, medical examination and stinging test with 10% lactic acid at the level of nasolabial fold. A total of 2.101 duly compiled case record forms were sent back by the dermatologists. The analysis of the demographic features and lifestyle of the subjects who were attracted by the campaign allows us to draw the identikit of people interested in the maintenance of a healthy skin, i.e. mainly young women, who already lead a healthy life and took care of their skin. Sensitive skin was common in this healthy population.