Chronic Inflammation and Stress: Why am I aging so fast?

Lupus & Rapid Skin Aging: Why Am I Aging So Fast?

Chronic inflammatory disorders take a toll on the skin through inflammaging.  For example, the pro-inflammatory factors elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are responsible for: skin cell damage, MMP expression, the release of elastase, ECM degradation, and generation of ROS. Next, lupus involves a compromised skin barrier (less hydration, more vulnerability to damage), as well as skin that is slower to heal from insult and irritation (such that careless selection of anti-aging products or procedures may cause hyper-aging rather than delivering rejuvenating results). Finally, lupus typically involves extreme photosensitivity, which accelerates the onset and severity of photodamage.  Photodamage, in turn, is the primary driver of visible aging,  responsible for up to 80% of visible aging on the face.

Chronic Stress: Why am I Aging So Fast?

Whether due to a chronic condition or any of countless life circumstances, chronic stress also takes a toll on skin.  A great review article by Dunn and Koo (2013) points out that chronic psychological stress activates:

• the Sympathetic-Adrenal-Medulla (SAM) pathway leading to stress-induced catecholamine release that causes DNA damage and immunosuppression
• the Renin-Angiotensin (RAS) system leading to heightened oxidative stress and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines
• the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA), which mediates the release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex; glucocorticoid excess causes tissue atrophy and acceleration of the aging process in skin

The authors suggest that, overall, chronic stress exacerbates skin aging through cumulative processes of inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage.