Dermatologic inflammation, also known as skin inflammation, appears as rashes. Warm to the touch rashes can be red, painful, dry, or itchy. Rashes can sometimes become raised and cause blisters and pimples.
Skin inflammation is not inherently harmful. It is the body’s defense mechanism against harmful pathogens that try to enter. Inflammation is also a sign that the body has begun to heal itself. As a result, skin inflammation is a necessary biological process for the body’s protection.
When skin inflammation does not resolve within a short period of time, it becomes a cause for concern. Inflammation can be acute or chronic, depending on the duration of the response.
Acute inflammation occurs as a result of exposure to sunlight, infections, or allergens. They appear quickly but usually go away after a few weeks if the underlying cause of inflammation is treated.
Chronic inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system responds to triggers in a sustained manner. It’s as if your body is constantly on the lookout for intruders. Over time, this prolonged response can cause tissue or organ damage, as well as chronic disease.
Because chronic inflammation occurs within the body, symptoms are not always visible, making the condition dangerous. Eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea are examples of common chronic infections.
Dermatologic Inflammation and CBD Topicals
The link between CBD, a cannabinoid class compound produced by the cannabis sativa plant, and dermatologic inflammation stems from the fact that the body’s ECS regulates skin biology. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) of the body is responsible for a variety of functions such as mood regulation, sleep, reproduction, appetite, and memory.
Endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and metabolic enzymes are all part of the ECS. Endocannabinoids are body-produced cannabinoids that are similar to cannabis sativa cannabinoids. Their job is to keep the ECS running smoothly.
Cannabinoid receptors are important because they allow endocannabinoids to bind to them and trigger a specific action in response to a biological input. Endocannabinoids are produced and degraded by metabolic enzymes.
Anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, or 2-arachidonoylglycerol, are two endocannabinoids that are essential for ECS function. CB1 and CB2 are important endocannabinoid receptors.
The central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and the brain, contains a high concentration of CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors can be found in the nervous system, immune system, and digestive system.
CB1 and CB2 receptors can also be found in the skin. They can be found in keratinocytes (major epidermal cells), dermal cells, nerve fibers, hair follicles, eccrine sweat glands, and melanocytes.
Endocannabinoids are the primary ligands for receptors. They can, however, bind to TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) receptors found in skin cells. TRP receptors are involved in a variety of skin functions, including skin barrier formation and regulation, as well as skin cell growth. They are also in charge of skin inflammation and immune responses.
FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) and monoacylglycerol acid lipase are important ECS metabolic enzymes. FAAH is in charge of anandamide, whereas the latter is in charge of 2-AG breakdown.
CBD, like the other well-known cannabinoid delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), interacts with the ECS. THC’s interaction is more similar to that of the body’s own endocannabinoids. THC has the ability to bind to both CB1 and CB2.
CBD interacts with the ECS in a different way than THC does. It does not bind but inhibits the degradation of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG.
THC’s psychoactive property, on the other hand, is a significant side effect. When THC is consumed, it has an effect on the user’s mental state.
CBD is not psychoactive, and it is well-known for its effectiveness in treating a variety of difficult and complex medical conditions. CBD has been shown in studies to help with childhood epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain.
CBD has been shown to be effective in treating pain caused by inflammation and neuropathic conditions.
More extensive research is needed, however, to reach concrete conclusions.
If you intend to use CBD, there are several pain relief CBD topicals that you may find useful. There are pain relief creams, roll-ons, and sprays available to help you find relief.
There is also mounting evidence that CBD can help treat skin conditions. CBD topicals, in particular, are thought to help with pruritus, eczema, psoriasis, and inflammation.
CBD’s importance grows as a result of its interaction with the ECS and the function of the ECS itself. Skin homeostasis is an important function of the ECS. Skin homeostasis is critical for maintaining body temperature, protection, and water balance.
Skin homeostasis also ensures the production of hormones and vitamins, as well as material absorption and sensory reception. When this balance is upset, skin problems occur. For example, as body temperature drops, sweat glands constrict, resulting in less sweat.
The Mechanisms of CBD Action on Skin Inflammation
- CBD helps the skin overcome inflammation by allowing the organ to stay healthy. Skin serves as a barrier against environmental stressors. This function has the potential to generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). When ROS levels become excessive, oxidative stress occurs.
Over time, oxidative stress can cause cell damage and chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress is also a cause of several skin conditions and aging signs.
Keratinocytes are the most common type of skin cell in the epidermal layer. They are more susceptible to environmental stresses. Keratinocytes can be damaged by an increase in ROS and the resulting oxidative stress.
Skin uses several defense mechanisms to prevent ROS buildup, which are controlled by regulator systems known as NFR2 and PPAR-. NFR2 contains a key enzyme known as hemeoxygenase 1 (HMOX1). This enzyme is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature.
CBD has been shown in vitro to increase the expression of HMOX1 and other genes regulated by NFR2.
According to an NHEK study, CBD has the ability to induce the expression of several NFR2 genes. The study also found that CBD, in particular, increased the expression of HMOX1.
The same study found that topical CBD application increased HMOX1 levels as well as the expression of keratins 16 and 17, which are involved in wound repair and proliferation. This observation was made on animal subjects (mice).
Another study was done in vitro with human keratinocytes. CBD was discovered to be able to penetrate human keratinocytes and regulate oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide and UVB irradiation.
CBD was discovered to contribute to membrane integrity in the preceding study. CBD did this by shielding the membrane from peroxide-induced polyunsaturated fatty acid reduction.
Another important finding of the study was that CBD could activate the PPAR- regulator. CBD was applied to 2D and 3D fibroblast cells by the researchers. PPAR- was activated as a result of this treatment.
A concurrent decrease in NF-kB (NF-kappa B) was also discovered. This discovery is significant because NF-kB is a protein family that controls cytokine production and DNA transcription. Another important function of NF-kB is to regulate cell functions.
The NF-kB protein family also influences the body’s inflammatory and immune responses. Inflammatory disorders can be caused by high levels of NF-kappa B. With research indicating that CBD can reduce NF-kB levels, new avenues for research into CBD’s therapeutic potential open up.
PPAR- and HMOX1 are both powerful cell-protective systems. They are also anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic (protection against apoptosis, a cell destruction process).
According to experts, treatments that involve the regulation of their expression (such as the effect obtained by using CBD) may be effective for inflammatory skin conditions. These treatments may also be effective for skin conditions caused by keratin disorders.
Skin conditions with an inflammatory component, such as eczema and atopic dermatitis, may benefit from CBD-induced treatments, the authors concluded.
- An experimental model revealed that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. CBD was used in the study to treat allergic contact dermatitis. Atopic Dermatitis, also known as AD, is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder.
Phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the cannabis sativa plant, such as CBD) have the ability to regulate inflammatory responses. They accomplish this by influencing one or more underlying body mechanisms.
- The effect of CBD on mechanisms responsible for balancing redox processes and keratinocyte inflammation was investigated in a study. UVB and UVA irradiation was used on the keratinocytes under investigation.
CBD significantly improved the performance of antioxidant enzymes in irradiated keratinocytes, according to the study. Antioxidant enzyme activity is important because it protects the skin from oxidative stress-induced cell damage.
Keratinocytes play an important role in this context. Keratinocytes are the most numerous type of cell in the epidermis, or the skin’s outermost layer. Keratinocytes make up nearly 90% of the cells in this layer. Keratinocytes, as cells in the skin’s outermost layer, serve as the body’s first line of defense against pathogen invasion.
Keratinocytes act as immunomodulators during skin inflammation. In this capacity, they regulate inflammation. CBD indirectly contributes to keratinocyte protection by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes.
The above study also discovered that CBD could prevent lipid peroxidation, which can lead to cell damage. CBD was able to prevent even when antioxidant enzymes such as reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity was low.
- The same study revealed another mechanism by which CBD alleviated skin inflammation.
The study discovered that CBD behaved differently under stress. Cannabidiol altered the interactions of two key cell regulators, Nrf2 and NFkB. CBD inhibited the NF-kB pathway, which increased the expression of Nrf2 activators. CBD-induced inhibition increased Nrf2 transcription activity as well.
These advancements boost CBD’s antioxidant activity, which is critical for preventing cell damage.
The authors of the study concluded that CBD’s antioxidant activity induced by Nrf2 activation is significant. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties and role as an NFkB inhibitor are also significant. These findings are important and should be considered when looking for new skin treatments, according to the authors.
- CBD could also help with itching or pruritus, another symptom of inflammation. Cannabinoid receptors TRPA1, TRPV1-4, and TRPM8 have been shown in studies to influence complex skin signaling between keratinocytes, sensory nerves, and immune cells. This signaling causes the itching experienced by pruritus patients.
CBD, as an FAAH inhibitor, may indirectly modulate the receptors and thus the communications between the itch-causing components. CBD, as an FAAH inhibitor, causes an increase in endocannabinoids. This increase causes receptor responses to be modulated.
CBD is a TRPV1 agonist and an inverse CB2 agonist (inducing an effect that is opposite to that of the agonist). These functions may also aid CBD in modulating itch receptor responses.
However, extensive research is required to reach definitive conclusions in this regard.
Are you thinking about purchasing CBD topicals? Here’s What You Need to Know
CBD topicals can benefit people suffering from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may aid in the reduction of redness, pain, irritation, and dryness associated with these conditions. CBD topicals can also help keep the skin healthy and moisturized.
- The first step toward safe CBD topical use is informing your doctor/ dermatologist of your decision. Allow your doctor to guide you through the safe use of CBD.
CBD skin products are widely available on the market. To keep your skin healthy, you can use facial serums, eye serums, lotions, facial creams, and body oils.
CBD’s antioxidant properties can protect the skin from free radical damage. This CBD behavior can aid in the reduction of skin blemishes and wrinkles.
- Examine the product’s ingredients. If the label says CBD Isolate, the topical only contains CBD. If it says Broad-Spectrum CBD, it contains other cannabis sativa plant compounds in addition to CBD. Terpenes and cannabinoids other than CBD are examples of these. THC is typically not present in broad-spectrum topicals.
If the product is Full-Spectrum CBD, it contains all cannabis sativa components, including THC.
- Check to see if the CBD topical has been contaminated-free tested. All high-quality CBD products come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA provides users with quality assurance.
The COA also details the quality tests that the product has passed. Topicals made by responsible manufacturers are free of potentially harmful contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and molds.
To summarize
CBD has opened up new avenues for research into the treatment of skin conditions. It has paved the way for future research. Many CBD topicals are already on the market and are well tolerated by patients. More extensive research is being conducted to ensure the complete efficacy of CBD topicals for skin inflammation.
