Impaired Barrier

What does impaired barrier or sensitive skin look like?

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Impaired barrier or sensitive skin presents as redness, irritation, and often tightness. It can feel dry, itchy, or inflamed and may react to products or environmental factors.

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It may be isolated to small patches of skin or more widespread. You might notice skin that’s easily irritated by certain foods, changes in temperature, or skincare products. This could look like redness around the cheeks, nose, or chin, and sometimes dryness or flakiness. Some people may also experience areas of cracked or peeling skin, or even stinging when applying products.

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If your skin is inflamed or sensitive on an ongoing basis, it may be a sign of a damaged skin barrier, which can happen for various reasons.

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Is it temporary or chronic?

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Impaired skin can be either acute or long-term. Acute skin sensitivity might occur due to temporary triggers like weather changes, a new product, or a sudden allergic reaction.

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Chronic conditions, however, like rosacea, perioral dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis, can cause ongoing irritation. The key is identifying whether it's a temporary response or something more prolonged that may need medical attention. In some cases, a referral to a GP or dermatologist may be necessary for more serious conditions.

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What causes impaired barrier and sensitive skin?

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Impaired skin barriers can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

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• Over-exfoliation or harsh product use: Using too many active ingredients or abrasive exfoliants can weaken the skin barrier over time.
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• Environmental factors: Weather, pollution, and extreme temperatures can also put stress on your skin.
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• Underlying conditions: Chronic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, perioral dermatitis, or rosacea can affect the skin’s ability to retain moisture, leading to persistent irritation and inflammation.
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• Skin irritation: Frequent exposure to certain skincare ingredients (e.g., alcohol, fragrances) or overuse of actives can disrupt the barrier.
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• Periods of Stress: Stress releases cortisol, which can negatively affect the skin's barrier function, leading to increased inflammation, dryness, and sensitivity. This can make the skin more prone to irritation and flare-ups.
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• Menopause: Hormonal changes during menopause can significantly affect the skin’s barrier, often causing dryness, increased sensitivity, and thinning skin. The reduction in estrogen can lower collagen and moisture levels, making the skin more vulnerable to irritants and less capable of retaining hydration.
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What can you do right now to help?

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If you have impaired skin, it's essential to focus on rebuilding your skin barrier and preventing further irritation:

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• Understand what’s causing the issue: Reflect on when your skin started acting out. Was it after a period of stress, illness, a change in your skincare routine, or due to hormonal changes like menopause? Identifying triggers will help us pinpoint what might be driving the sensitivities and guide us in finding the right solution for you.
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• Stop using harsh products: Avoid strong acids, exfoliants, and products with fragrances that might further irritate your skin.
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• Hydrate: Ensure you're drinking plenty of water to help your skin retain moisture.
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• Simplify your routine: Focus on gentle cleansers, hydrating moisturisers, and calming products.
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• Sun Protection: Always apply a gentle, broad-spectrum SPF to protect the skin from UV rays, which can aggravate sensitivity.
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• Avoid triggers: Be mindful of food and environmental triggers that may worsen your condition, like spicy foods, alcohol, or extreme weather.
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What can we do at Elite Skin Studio to assist further?

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At Elite Skin Studio, we take a gentle, comprehensive approach to rebuilding and healing your skin barrier. Our professional treatments are designed to calm inflammation, restore hydration, and promote long-term skin health:

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• Dermalux LED Phototherapy: Dermalux LED uses blue and red light to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and support the healing of sensitive skin. It promotes collagen production and enhances overall skin health, making it ideal for restoring a compromised skin barrier.
  
  
• Signature Facials: We tailor our facials to soothe and hydrate sensitive, inflamed skin. Our treatments focus on restoring balance, boosting hydration, and repairing the skin barrier without further irritation.
  
  
  

Your homecare focus from Elite Skin Studio

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Homecare plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving your skin barrier. At Elite Skin Studio, we recommend a focused approach with the right products to strengthen and restore your skin, this forms the main part of our work together:

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• Internal Supplementation: Our Skin Clear Biome and Skin Omegas supplements are perfect for supporting skin health from within. They promote anti-inflammatory effects and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, helping reduce flare-ups and support the long-term health of your skin.
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• Hydration: Use products that focus on restoring moisture, such as Environ’s Super Moisturiser or AlumierMD HydraCalm
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• Anti-inflammatory ingredients: Look for products with soothing ingredients like niacinamide, aloe vera, or calendula to reduce irritation and calm your skin.
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• Barrier repair: Opt for gentle, non-stripping cleansers like AlumierMD Sensicalm and barrier-strengthening products such as AlumierMD Calm-R Serum and AlumierMD Sheer Hydration SPF.
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What are the limitations of impaired barrier treatment?

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Healing the skin barrier takes time and consistency. Although our professional treatments will help speed up the recovery process, there are no quick fixes.

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A compromised skin barrier requires a period of focused care, often over the course of several months, to restore balance. If your skin barrier has been damaged over time, it will take patience to rebuild its strength and resilience. Additionally, conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis may require ongoing management and medical support.