Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more, and recently, scientists have discovered that inflammation is also one of the main culprits of skin aging.But what causes it and how do we stop it from getting worse? Weve got the answers below.

Why Inflammation OccursAccording to San Diego, CA dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, in the body, inflammation stems from an increase in oxygen free radicals that subsequently lead to a cascade of downstream cellular effects. The toxic oxygen radicals trigger inflammatory signals that lead to a host of negative cellular responses, she explains. Skin inflammation is a result of the immune systems response to stimuli or triggers, serving as a defense mechanism to protect your body against injury, infection or cancer.

There are two types of skin inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is your bodys immediate response to a physiological insult such as an infection, trauma, stressanything that disrupts your immune system, says Dr. Zenovia. The body expresses inflammation by tissue swelling, warmth, pain or redness, as well as systemic symptoms like fever, aches and fatigue.

Acute inflammatory symptoms generally minimize after several days and eventually normalize, but chronic inflammation implies a longstanding issue that Dr. Zenovia says is often caused by underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorders or chronic infections. Chronic inflammation can be worsened by environmental stressors or unhealthy lifestyle habits, she adds. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at managing the inflammatory response. In addition, chronic low-grade inflammation is common as we age because our bodies and cells are less efficient at regulating this process.

Our diets play a role, too: High blood sugar and poor diet can result in a process called glycation. This leads to protein malfunction in the cells, causing a disruption to normal function, says Dr. Zenovia. In effect, if your body is inflamed and cant handle the level of inflammation, then there are consequences at the cellular and then tissue levelsthis is what we see and feel. We see the cellular disruption manifested on our skin. And these symptoms, such as sagging, wrinkles and brown spots, are all manifestation of cellular disruption and inflammation.

How It Impacts Our SkinThe process is coined inflamm-aging because inflammation ages us, says Dr. Zenovia. Acute inflammation can manifest on the skin as a rashsmooth or scalyredness or warmth in the affected area. Mild low-grade chronic inflammation, such as rosacea or undetectable sun damage often causes skin dryness, dullness, uneven tone, texture, loss of elasticity, or fine lines and wrinkles.Therefore, antioxidants and other actives that specifically target inflammation in the skin are a new frontier for anti-aging. Its not just moisturizers, retinols and hydroxy acidswe need anti-inflammatory support for our skin too.

That undetectable sun damage plays a significant role in the inflammation process. Inflammation is thought to be one of the main causes of skin aging, and the constant exposure to UV radiation from the sun can cause inflammation and DNA damage in the skin, leading to fine lines, wrinkles and spots, says Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew J. Elias.The single most important product we recommend for skin aging is sunscreen, and while any sunscreen will help protect skin from the untoward effects of chronic UV exposure, the only sunscreen that can actually repair the DNA damage done by the sun is ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica, which actually contains DNA repairsomes that can repair the damage caused by the sun and lessen inflammation.

Dr. Zenovia says an inflammatory cascade can also cause the body to produce more hyaluronidase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down hyaluronic acid (HA), which is critical to skin thickness and health. Fibroblastscollagen-producing cellsare also affected by inflammation, and can become damaged and produce less collagen, she explains. This causes skin to lose its firmness and elasticity.

How to Minimize the EffectsThe first brand to put inflamm-aging skin care on the map, Heraux created a patented molecule called HX-1 that gently exfoliates the skin while helping to prevent inflammation, which is the key ingredient in its Molecular Anti-Inflammaging Serum. HX-1 works directly on skin stem cells to support their peak performance and shield them from stressors that can promote irritation, says Ben Van Handel, PhD, cofounder of Heraux and stem cell biologist at the University of Southern California. Clinical studies of HX-1 have shown significant improvements occurringin the first four weeks without any skin irritation. Daily use of the serum will enable youthful function of skin stem cells longer, increasing the health span of the skin.

Dr. Amir Nobakht, cofounder of Heraux, says its an alternative to retinol without the potential side effects. Retinols historically have had good results but also cause irritation, redness and sun sensitivity, making them unusable for many people. HX-1 on the other hand can accomplish the same goals of a retinol without the harsh side effects. Even those with sensitive skin or who are prone to sunburns can get results without worrying.

One of Dr. Zenovias bestsellers in her Essentials line, Inflam-Aging Night Repair Treatment specifically targets inflammation and is clinically formulated to combat key signs of aging. Everyone could benefit from this product: acne, aging, young and old, she says. This powerhouse night repair treatment features a highly potent triple antioxidant blend of green tea polyphenols, medical-grade resveratrol and caffeine to help reduce inflammation while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhancing the look of firm, plump, even-toned skin. Sleep is also really important. Its one of the most restorative things we can do for our bodies and our skin. It decreases stress, lowers inflammation and regenerates our cells.

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Everything to Know About Inflamm-aging - NewBeauty Magazine