Acute vs Chronic Inflammation / Inflammatory Response
A fundamental biological response to harmful stimuli — infection, injury, or irritation — coordinated by the immune system. Acute inflammation is essential and protective: it initiates tissue repair, recruits immune cells, and resolves injury. Chronic low-grade inflammation (as in inflammaging) is destructive: it continuously activates tissue-degrading enzymes (MMPs), promotes cellular senescence, impairs DNA repair, and drives all major chronic diseases. In skin, chronic inflammation is the root cause of accelerated aging, impaired barrier function, and the sustained pathology in acne, rosacea and eczema.
The two-pronged approach: reduce pro-inflammatory inputs (UV, poor diet, stress, poor sleep, smoking) and enhance anti-inflammatory mechanisms (omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenol-rich diet, regular exercise, antioxidant skincare). Topical anti-inflammatory actives — azelaic acid, niacinamide, centella asiatica, ectoin — directly reduce cutaneous inflammatory signalling.
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