Different Types of Inflammation and Its Causes
So What Exactly Is Inflammation?
Alright, let’s start from the beginning. In Korean, the word ‘inflammation’, or ‘yeomjeung’, directly translates to ‘steaming hot’. In other words, inflammation refers to the state of something being heated and visibly red and irritated. The literal definition is stated as 'a medical term representing "biological responses to tissue injury or damage caused by chemical, physical, biological factors, etc.”'.
Inflammation primarily refers to the physiological processes that occur in response to external stimuli such as injury or infection, mainly mediated by the immune system. Inflammation typically involves swelling, redness, and may be accompanied by pain. It's a natural defence mechanism that aids in the healing of damaged tissue and removal of pathogenic substances.
Symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain are commonly observed as the body’s natural defence mechanism. It is also something that will be mentioning quite often as an esthetician as you talk to clients and observe different skin. So what are some ways to determine what is inflamed and not? What are some kinds of inflammations that estheticians encounter often?
Different Types of Skin Inflammation
Different Types of Skin Inflammation
There are several different types of inflammation that can occur on the skin. Let’s take a look a few of the most important, notable types of skin inflammation.
- Acne - This is a skin inflammation that occurs when excess sebum is produced, leading to blocked pores. It commonly appears on the face, chest, and back
- Eczema - This includes inflammation of the skin such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis, each having different causes and symptoms
- Atopy - This type of inflammation is caused when the skin’s defence mechanism is weakened, it is a chronic inflammation that is accompanied by dryness and itchiness
- Rosacea - This is characterized by vasodilation and inflammation, often resulting in specific redness and flushing
- Skin Infection - These are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi can lead to eruptions and swelling on the skin
- Allergic Dermatitis - These infections can occur due to an allergic reaction to specific substances, leading to itching and eruptions
According to these descriptions, inflammation can be classified into acute dermatitis and chronic dermatitis.
Acute Dermatitis
Acute dermatitis is a rapid and short-term biological response that occurs in response to infection, physical injury, chemical irritation, etc. It is one of the body's natural defense mechanisms in response to external stimuli, serving as a protective and healing process. Major characteristics of acute inflammation may include vasodilation, skin eruption, warmth, pain, and swelling. These responses play a role in minimizing tissue damage and accelerating the healing process.
- Contact Dermatitis: This is inflammation that occurs due to contact with specific substances, potentially causing rash, itching, and swelling on the skin. It may involve allergic reactions or reactions to specific chemicals.
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis: This inflammation occurs when the skin is exposed to irritating substances such as chemicals, detergents, or water. Acute sunburn due to prolonged exposure to sunlight also falls under this category.
- Allergic Dermatitis: This is dermatitis resulting from allergic reactions, where the skin shows hypersensitivity reactions to specific substances.
- Bacterial Infections: Infections that occur when bacteria invade through skin wounds, leading to swelling, redness, and possible pain.
- Viral Infections: Infections caused by viruses such as herpes virus or varicella-zoster virus, which may result in rash and itching.
Additionally, there are cases in aesthetic care programs where management inducing acute inflammation is required to promote skin regeneration. For instance, various types of needle treatments like herbal needles, seaweed needles, AHA needles, and BHA needles serve this purpose. Microneedling Therapy System (MTS) management also aids in rapid skin regeneration through inducing acute inflammation.
Acute dermatitis typically improves naturally over time without the need for medication. However, if the acute inflammation is severe, medical treatment is necessary. Note: Fever resulting from acute dermatitis can be quickly reduced by using cold temperature products or devices for management.
Chronic Dermatitis
Chronic dermatitis refers to a prolonged state of inflammation of the skin lasting for an extended period. This condition can arise from various causes, and symptoms may persist continuously or recur periodically.
1. Seborrheic Dermatitis: This appears as persistent inflammation of the skin due to sebum and metabolic disorder, characterized by excessive scaling and itching.
2. Atopic Dermatitis: A chronic skin inflammation marked by dryness, itching, and eruptions.
3. Rosacea: A skin condition characterized by vascular dilation and inflammation, often presenting with facial flushing and the formation of pustules.
Chronic dermatitis has a longer improvement period, and there can be significant fluctuations in its management, with periods of improvement followed by worsening. Sensitivity to minor stimuli is often heightened.
Unlike acute dermatitis, where fever is a temporary occurrence, chronic dermatitis with persistent fever can react sensitively to large temperature changes. Therefore, it's recommended to avoid attempting to reduce heat with excessively cold temperatures, as it may aggravate the skin. Instead, it's advisable to proceed with appropriate management that doesn't irritate the skin. This can involve using products containing cooling ingredients or employing beauty devices that deliver heat deep into the skin for cooling purposes.
Epi & Derm Treatment
A great way to treat and manage inflammations and side effects caused by it would be our Epi & Derm Treatment. This is an all-in-one treatment that improves, nourishes, and regenerates various skin problems, especially caused by inflammation. It not only calms down irritated skin it also encourages cell regeneration, is an effective acne/hyperpigmentation treatment. It is a treatment that works by penetrating 2 types of AHOHAW patented ampoules with ultrasound, MTS, and LED Light devices.
The two different ampoules, the SRGF H1 Reset Ampoule and Azulene Calming Ampoule, penetrates into the dermal and epidermal layer, its active ingredients thoroughly getting absorbed deep into the skin.
It is a mild-medium intensity treatment that is performed once a week for 4 weeks in total, and the duration of each treatment is about 60 minutes.
A great way to treat and manage inflammations and side effects caused by it would be our Epi & Derm Treatment. This is an all-in-one treatment that improves, nourishes, and regenerates various skin problems, especially caused by inflammation. It not only calms down irritated skin it also encourages cell regeneration, is an effective acne/hyperpigmentation treatment. It is a treatment that works by penetrating 2 types of AHOHAW patented ampoules with ultrasound, MTS, and LED Light devices.
The two different ampoules, the SRGF H1 Reset Ampoule and Azulene Calming Ampoule, penetrates into the dermal and epidermal layer, its active ingredients thoroughly getting absorbed deep into the skin.
It is a mild-medium intensity treatment that is performed once a week for 4 weeks in total, and the duration of each treatment is about 60 minutes.
This treatment is for
- Acne-prone Skin
- Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
- Redness & Itchiness caused by Inflammation
- Dryness caused by Inflammation
Link to the Epi & Derm Treatment on Our Website
Some home care products that can be used after these treatments include the
- Ami-sterol Cream (for dry/normal skin type), and the
- Azulene DNA Cream or the Acless Solution Set (for oil/acne-prone skin).