Oxidative Stress Management in the Hair Follicle: Could Targeting NRF2 Counter Age-Related Hair Disorders and Beyond?

The document from 2017 reviews the role of oxidative stress in hair follicle disorders and the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting NRF2, a transcription factor that regulates antioxidant defense mechanisms. It suggests that NRF2 activation could counteract hair disorders such as greying, aging, androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and chemotherapy-induced hair loss by enhancing the clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintaining redox homeostasis. The review also discusses the protective effects of NRF2 against oxidative stress-induced hair growth inhibition and its role in skin disease pathogenesis and cancer. It highlights the need for further research to identify effective NRF2 activators and appropriate dosing strategies, while ensuring that NRF2 stimulation does not interfere with normal cellular functions. The authors acknowledge funding support for the article.