Understanding "Inflammaging" in Skincare:

The Shift from Short-Term Results to Long-Term Health

The skincare industry has long been captivated by the potential of inflammation to produce immediate, visible results. For years, this approach revolved around using ingredients that could induce a mild inflammatory response to achieve temporary skin benefits. These responses were often perceived as beneficial, providing visually appealing results, at least in the short term. However, as our understanding of inflammation has deepened, this strategy is being reexamined.

Subclinical inflammation—a low-grade inflammatory response that isn’t immediately visible—can degrade or compromise the skin’s structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin, leading to accelerated aging. The concept of “inflammaging” has emerged, warning of the cumulative, negative effects of frequent treatments that trigger even mild inflammation.

“Continuous exposure to ingredients that induce even mild subclinical inflammation can weaken the skin barrier, increase sensitivity, and contribute to the formation of fibrotic collagen—stiff and disorganized—rather than the supple, elastic collagen characteristic of youthful skin.” (Dru Pattan, Owner and COO, Cultured Beauty, Denver, Colorado)

As this understanding becomes more widespread, there’s a growing shift in the industry from quick fixes to strategies that support the skin’s long-term resilience, focusing on reducing inflammation and promoting healthy collagen production.

The Risks of "Too Potent Boosters" in Abrasive Modalities

Many abrasive skincare treatments today still rely on the use of highly concentrated serums or boosters to deliver immediate results. These boosters, often packed with powerful ingredients like retinol, peptides, or glycolic acid, can be effective in the short term. However, delivering such potent formulas in a single, intense session can trigger subclinical inflammation, leading to long-term skin barrier damage and the accelerated aging that the industry is now recognizing as inflammaging. While these ingredients have their place in skincare, their concentration and method of delivery play a crucial role in determining their impact on the skin. Frequent exposure to these one-time, highly concentrated doses can overwhelm the skin’s natural defenses, causing more harm than good over time.

Dr. Gordon H. Sasaki’s Research on Permeability and MIRApeel’s Approach

This is where a more controlled, gentle approach, like MIRApeel’s, becomes a superior alternative. Dr. Gordon H. Sasaki, MD, FACS, has demonstrated in his research on skin permeability that controlled microchanneling enhances serum absorption without triggering the kind of inflammation associated with more aggressive treatments.

At MIRApeel, we employ non-invasive 0.25 mm microchanneling, which creates microchannels in the skin just deep enough to increase permeability but shallow enough to avoid causing damage or inflammation. This ensures that the skin can absorb nourishing serums more effectively without compromising its barrier or triggering a harmful inflammatory response.

Gentle Microdermabrasion and Mild Serums:

A Gradual, Long-Term Solution Our system also incorporates gentle microdermabrasion with the infusion of mild, cosmetic-grade serums. This process gently removes the dead layer of skin cells while introducing nutrients that hydrate and support the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production. The goal here is not to overload the skin but to encourage slow, steady rejuvenation.

MIRApeel’s treatment program works much like a titration process—a slow, gradual method over a series of 6-8 weeks. This allows the skin to adapt, regenerate, and produce healthy, organized collagen in its natural cycle, avoiding the risks of forming fibrotic or disorganized collagen often associated with aggressive treatments.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of "Inflammaging" By focusing on long-term, sustainable skin health, MIRApeel avoids the pitfalls of inflammaging while still delivering real, lasting results. Instead of relying on inflammation to temporarily plump the skin, our approach supports the skin’s natural structure, improving its resilience, hydration, and tone over time. In contrast to quick fixes that may compromise the skin’s barrier and accelerate aging, MIRApeel prioritizes a science-backed, patient-centric approach. With our gentle microchanneling, controlled serum infusion, and long-term treatment programs, we ensure that your skin remains healthy, resilient, and radiant.