Massachusetts State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

Dehydrated skin often leads to fragility and irritation as one of its primary complications. When the skin lacks adequate moisture, it can become more vulnerable to environmental stressors and irritation from various products. This is due to the compromised barrier function that typically protects the skin, making it less resilient and more prone to damage. Irritated skin may present symptoms such as redness, flakiness, and discomfort, indicating that it is not functioning well.

In contrast, options like increased oiliness, excessive pigmentation, and healthy barrier function do not correlate with the characteristics of dehydrated skin. Increased oiliness is usually associated with oily skin types or conditions but not directly with dehydration. Excessive pigmentation can occur for various reasons, such as sun exposure or hormonal changes, but is not a direct result of dry skin. A healthy barrier function is vital in protecting the skin and would not be a description of dehydrated skin, which is characterized by a compromised barrier.