Get That GLOW

Have you heard of "inflammageing"? The trend is taking over the skincare and wellness worlds due to recent research discovering that inflammation can actually cause our skin to age faster.

- ADRIANNE WEBSTER

It's thought that low-grade consistent inflammation causes oxidative stress on our cells, and leads to "tissue degeneration", weakening of the skin structure and damage to our elastin, collagen and skin barrier.

So what does all this mean when it comes to our faces? Wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and dullness, amongst other signs of ageing.

It's not all bad news, though. Dermatologists are sharing the ways we can combat and even reduce inflammation, to help make the most of our skin as we get older.

One such skin expert is Riyah Syed, senior medical aesthetician at Skinfluencer London (skin-fluencer.com). She explains a bit more about what 'inflammageing' actually is.

"Inflammation is generally caused by your body's natural defence against tissue damage, toxins, bacteria and/ or viruses. When your body is unwell, the defence is to send inflammatory cells to begin the healing process.

"Your body can, however, trigger an inflammatory response from other factors such as a diet that your body does not like, including food sensitivities," she explains.

"A side effect of inflammation is accelerated ageing of the skin, a phenomenon known as 'inflammageing'."