Inflammation and Skin Aging

Inflammation is an important way for our bodies to react to infection and foreign pathogens.  While it is the first line of defense against microorganisms that can potentially cause long-lasting health issues, the same process that our immune system uses to protect our bodies from infection can also lead to visible signs of aging. Making matters worse, we become more susceptible to chronic inflammation as we grow older, which can exacerbate wrinkles, fine lines, and lead to a host of more serious health conditions.

Today, we’ll explore how chronic inflammation is associated with a number of skin conditions. I’ll describe how it affects the skin, and offer strategies for managing it and reducing your exposure.

Natural Response To Pathogens

When foreign pathogens are identified by the immune system, a number of physiological events occur in the effort to eliminate those pathogens. Free radicals are generated, blood flow increases, and healthy tissue begins deteriorating. While these inflammatory events are designed to help neutralize or inhibit the microorganisms, they can also lead to the break down of collagen and the structure of your skin.

In normal cases, once the need for an inflammatory response is no longer required, the physiological events are terminated. However, in some cases, the termination process fails. When this happens, chronic inflammation can result.

In cases of chronic inflammation, the immune system may even begin perceiving the body’s tissues as foreign and thereby, posing a threat. As a result, it can produce concurrent efforts to destroy the tissue while trying to rebuild it. This can lead to a number of skin conditions, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Recently, researchers have found evidence that an enzyme called IDO, which is normally produced to keep inflammation in check, actually protects malignant skin cells.

Managing And Reducing The Effects

If you cope with chronic inflammation, your skin care regimen should include formulations with anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Skin that is prone to dryness, cracking, blisters or redness can be repaired while antioxidants can help prevent free radical damage. Through topical application of these ingredients, you can improve the visible signs of aging. The following ingredients can help to relieve inflammation:

Green Tea – Green tea possesses potent anti inflammatory and antioxidant activity and can be found in Credentials Face Firming Complex

Rosacure – Rosacure contains MSM and silymarin, two compounds used for their anti inflammatory action to combat facial redness

Matrixyl – a peptide that has been shown to help boost collagen production, Matrixyl also contains anti inflammatory properties. Consider Neostrata Wrinkle Repair.