2 This review discusses the pathogenic and therapeutic role of hydrogen peroxide in dermatology. Topical hydrogen peroxide is used for therapeutic purposes at supraphysiologic concentrations.
2 Increased cellular hydrogen peroxide can overwhelm the antioxidant defence systems, contributing to the pathogenesis of dermatologic diseases.
2 Hydrogen peroxide can oxidatively damage proteins, lipids and nucleic acids directly or indirectly through the propagation of other reactive oxygen species. Ultraviolet light, ionising radiation, pollutants, chemotherapy and herbicides are its main exogenous sources. 1 Endogenous sources of hydrogen peroxide are the mitochondrial electron transport chain, enzymatic cellular reactions and respiratory burst in phagocytes.
It influences biological behaviour through several mechanisms which include alteration in cellular redox balance, changes in membrane potential or production of new molecules that regulate signalling transduction pathways. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) is a reactive oxygen species produced by a variety of mammalian cells.
