How to Care for Sensitive Skin That Gets Worse in Spring

Hello?

A beginning of natural beauty,

We are 'Bellevue Clinic,'

open 365 days a year.

Sensitive skin care methods you may not have known about

Do you like the season called spring? For people with pollen allergies, it can be a difficult season. I, too, recently went through a bit of a rough time with symptoms I couldn't tell were from rhinitis or a cold. It is a season that brings an inexplicable sense of excitement, but for sensitive skin, spring is the season that signals the beginning of hardship. There are four major reasons for this: large temperature differences between day and night, dry air, pollen (allergens), and stronger UV rays. These can break down the thin and delicate skin barrier and cause various skin problems.

The skin barrier, the basic line of defense on the outermost layer of the skin, becomes vulnerable to irritation when it breaks down, and symptoms such as redness, itching, and stinging can continue to appear. The most important first step in caring for sensitive skin is the right cleansing habit. Cleansing for delicate skin should focus on gently removing impurities that have accumulated on the skin while minimizing irritation as much as possible.

The standard approach to cleansing for sensitive skin

People say removing makeup is more important than putting it on... but for sensitive skin, avoiding excessive cleansing is even more important, and the water temperature used for washing is also very important. To avoid unnecessary irritation to the skin, it is ideal to start with lukewarm water and finish with lukewarm water. Rinsing with cold water at the end after washing with warm water is said to help shrink pores and improve skin elasticity, but for sensitive skin, it can do more harm than good. Cold water may temporarily constrict pores and blood vessels, making the skin look firmer and brighter, but if the blood vessels repeatedly expand again during the body’s temperature-recovery process, it can have the opposite effect and cause pores and blood vessels to sag more. It is similar to a rubber band losing elasticity if it is stretched and released repeatedly.

Choosing a cleansing product also requires caution. The main function of cleansing is carried out by surfactants that remove both water- and oil-based components, but surfactants in a very watery form can penetrate deeply into pores, trigger deeper cleansing than necessary, and irritate sensitive skin. In addition, hard solid cleansers or vibrating cleansers increase friction on the skin’s surface, and residue can remain in fine lines or pores, causing ongoing irritation.

The cleansing formula skin experts most recommend for sensitive skin is a soft foam type. Rich, gentle foam effectively adsorbs and removes impurities from the skin surface without irritation and does not penetrate deeply into pores, so it causes less irritation. It cleanses gently as if wrapping the skin’s surface. However, even with a low-irritation product, it is important to keep washing time short, within 3 minutes. Long washing periods can remove even the skin’s essential lipid layer excessively, damaging the skin barrier and increasing sensitivity.

The 1-minute golden time after washing: the importance of building a moisture shield

Sensitive skin becomes even more delicate immediately after washing, so immediate moisturizing care is essential to prevent moisture from evaporating from the skin. This is especially important for people with chronic dry eczema or atopic dermatitis. More important than applying multiple layers of basic skincare products is quickly applying a cream-type moisturizer over the entire face within 1 minute after washing. It works like building a dam over an empty reservoir to trap the water before it dries.

There are many types and formulas of moisturizers, but experts recommend cream types for sensitive skin. Because the face moves frequently and is directly exposed to the external environment throughout the day, a cream formula with better occlusive power than a watery lotion can prevent moisture loss and protect the skin more effectively from outside irritation.

Sudden skin irritation, balancing first aid and long-term care

If your face suddenly feels stinging after washing or due to changes in the outside environment, it may be a sign that an inflammatory reaction is occurring in the skin and that moisture is being lost from within the skin. In that case, applying a gentle cream with soothing ingredients can help protect the skin. If itching is present, it may also be effective to chill the cream briefly in the refrigerator before applying it to help reduce inflammation.

However, when the skin is in an extremely sensitive state, even a gentle product may sting. If it is not severe, applying a thin layer of moisturizing cream to support the skin barrier is advisable, but if the stinging is intense, one option is to temporarily apply nothing and avoid touching the skin, allowing it to recover on its own as it secretes lipid components such as ceramides.

How to use masks at home and precautions

When the skin is very dry or has become sensitive due to external irritation, using a mask with soothing effects may provide temporary help. However, since masks act only on the skin surface, if the deeper skin is severely dry, receiving professional moisturizing treatment at a clinic is much more effective. Sometimes, using one mask a day too diligently can actually make the skin worse. Please be sure to understand and follow the points below.

◆ When using a mask, you must strictly keep the recommended usage time within 20 minutes. Leaving a mask on for too long causes the skin surface to absorb too much moisture, swelling the stratum corneum, and after that, sensitivity may actually worsen as moisture evaporates. The belief that 'the longer you leave a mask on, the better' is a misconception, and the habit of using a mask every day is also a shortcut to weakening the skin barrier. When your skin feels dry, it is appropriate to use a cold mask only 1 to 2 times a week for no longer than 20 minutes to soothe the skin.

◆ After using a mask, gently pat in any remaining essence and finish by protecting the skin barrier with cream. There are many different types and price ranges of masks, but what matters most is choosing a product that suits your skin without causing irritation. In particular, if the material of a sheet mask feels rough or causes unpleasant irritation, you should stop using it immediately.

◆ The saying, 'It is better to use an inexpensive mask every day than one expensive mask once,' does not apply to sensitive skin at all. Using a gentle mask that suits your skin at an appropriate frequency is the wise way to protect healthy skin.

Multifaceted care for improving sensitive skin

• Strengthening the barrier, relieving internal dryness, remodeling circulation

→ To fundamentally improve sensitive skin, we focus on three elements: protecting the skin barrier, improving internal dryness, and remodeling the circulation system of sensitized skin.

First, to protect the skin barrier, it is helpful not only to use a low-irritation cleanser in everyday life, but also to use wound dressing materials that have skin-repairing and protective effects. (Wound dressing materials were originally developed for wound protection, but they physically cover the surface of sensitive skin weakened by external irritation even without visible wounds, blocking irritation and preventing moisture loss.)

Cosmetics recommended by dermatology clinics, wound dressing materials

Second, improving internal dryness is the key to caring for sensitive skin. A damaged skin barrier accelerates moisture loss and reduces the skin’s buffering ability against temperature changes and friction, further worsening sensitivity. Simply eating or applying hyaluronic acid is not enough to deliver sufficient moisture deep into the skin, so professional procedures such as skin-booster injections that directly inject high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid into the dermis can be an effective alternative. If PN or PDRN with anti-inflammatory effects, or botulinum toxin that induces vasoconstriction and collagen regeneration, are injected together, a greater synergistic effect can be expected. If you feel uneasy about injections, applying exosomes or chitosan ingredients directly to the skin can also help improve internal dryness.

Third is remodeling the circulation system of sensitized skin. Energy-based procedures that induce collagen production or improvements in blood vessels and the nervous system can promote skin regeneration and help restore the function of sensitive skin. However, for sensitive skin, minimizing irritation is essential. If the skin is relatively less sensitive, radiofrequency devices with cooling and soothing functions can improve skin sensitivity while also providing a lifting effect. If the skin is so sensitive that even radiofrequency feels burdensome, procedures using low-energy devices with almost no irritation may be helpful. Typical examples include microcurrent, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field), LDM (Low Frequency Dynamic Microstimulation), and room-temperature plasma. These devices deliver energy without excessive irritation to the skin, inducing regeneration in the dermis and helping restore the function of sensitized skin.

The limited role of medication and the importance of lifestyle improvement

In some cases, medication may be considered to improve sensitive skin. If allergic reactions worsen sensitive skin symptoms, antihistamines may be prescribed to control the inflammatory response. If skin inflammation is severe or the activity of MMP (Matrix Metalloproteinase), which can damage collagen, is a concern, tetracycline antibiotics may be used in a limited manner to suppress it. In addition, if the activity of Demodex mites is high, antiparasitic medication may be necessary, and if skin sensitivity related to intestinal imbalance is suspected, medication to improve the gut microbiome environment may also be used.

However, medication is only a supplementary measure, and the fundamental solution for improving sensitive skin is maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Especially during the spring seasonal transition, rapid changes in temperature and humidity directly irritate the skin, so it is important to apply enough moisturizing cream or products that act as a skin protective barrier. Making a habit of carefully using occlusive moisturizers, which provide excellent protection against external irritation, is a great help in reducing skin sensitivity.

As you probably know, sleep habits also have an important effect on skin sensitivity. During seasonal transitions, when the body’s biological rhythm changes with the amount of daylight, it is essential to avoid going to bed late and to get enough sleep for at least 7 hours a day to help the skin recover.

In addition, proper water intake helps prevent skin dryness and maintain a healthy skin barrier, but drinking too much water can instead strain the kidneys, so drinking when you feel thirsty is enough.

Lastly, certain foods can worsen skin sensitivity. IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) in milk and dairy products can trigger skin problems, and highly processed foods such as fried foods and snacks can disrupt the skin’s balance, so it is best to avoid them as much as possible.

Caring for sensitive skin is not easy, but it is not impossible. In the ever-changing environment of seasonal transitions, please pay a little attention to maintaining a healthy and strong skin barrier through proper cleansing habits, sufficient moisturizing, minimizing irritation, and keeping healthy lifestyle habits. Lifestyle management is more important than anything else. For healthy and beautiful skin that does not waver under external irritation, you should not neglect your regular routine. Fighting~!

Gangnam Station Bellevue Clinic welcomes consultations and visits at any time, 365 days a year. Start today with the first step toward dewy skin! We offer late-night consultations every weekday, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays we are open until 5 PM.

★ What are the benefits of coming to Bellevue Clinic?

• Personalized consultations

After Mark-Vu imaging and diagnosis, we suggest the optimal procedure suited to your skin condition.

• Experienced medical staff and genuine products

Our experienced medical team performs safe and effective procedures using genuine fillers, Botox, laser devices, and more.

• Reasonable prices

We strive to reduce the clinic’s profit as much as possible and provide beauty at a 부담 없는 price for our customers.

• 365 days / weekday evening consultations

Even on weekends and public holidays, feel free to visit at a time convenient for you in your busy life. Advance reservation before visiting is, of course, good manners~!

<Bellevue Clinic 'Mark-Vu' diagnostic test>

Bellevue Clinic makes a final diagnosis through the Mark-Vu skin diagnostic test, checking various skin concerns that are difficult to see with the naked eye, such as skin texture, pigmentation, pores, wrinkles, skin tone, dark circles, radiance, redness, melanin, sebum, and acne bacteria. Based on the diagnostic results, we strive to provide the most effective procedures for each patient through detailed skin consultations. This is a clinic that does not recommend unnecessary additional procedures, so please feel at ease when you visit. Thank you.

★ Go check out Bellevue Clinic on YouTube ★

★ Bellevue Clinic consultation inquiries ★

(If you want to know each month’s event details,

add Bellevue Clinic as a friend right now~^^)

★ Learn more about Bellevue Clinic ★

<Clinic Information & Directions>

Your reasonable choice to become more beautiful today than yesterday!

'Gangnam Station Bellevue Clinic'

Thank you for visiting.