Oxidative stress and the skin

This chapter describes the main mechanisms of oxidative stress in the skin. Oxidative stress and imbalance contribute greatly to the health, appearance, and function of the skin. Compounding oxidative stressors hastens photoaging and contributes to the development of skin cancer. There are two types of skin aging, namely chronological aging and photoaging. Skin cancer develops in the setting of immunosuppression. Oxidative stress appears to be important for the initiation and progression of melanoma. Mutations in several melanoma-associated genes develop as a result of oxidative stress. Hypersensitivity of epidermal melanocytes to oxidative stress is a known contributor to vitiligo pathogenesis. The skin has an intricate defense network guarding against reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage. An enzymatic antioxidant (AOx) system and a nonenzymatic AOx system work in conjunction to neutralize ROS. Some drugs are capable of inducing skin photosensitivity by triggering a ROS-mediated inflammatory response.