Mechanisms of Action
Free Radical
An unstable molecule that damages cells by stealing electrons from other molecules.
A free radical is a molecule or atom with one or more unpaired electrons, making it highly reactive and unstable. Free radicals are generated through normal metabolism (mitochondrial respiration), environmental exposures (UV radiation, pollution, cigarette smoke), and inflammation. They cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA through chain reactions. The body's antioxidant defense system normally neutralizes free radicals, but when production exceeds capacity, oxidative stress results. Hair follicle cells, due to their rapid division rate, are particularly vulnerable to free radical damage.