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Peptides are naturally occurring amino acids that help produce collagen and elastin, the two connective tissues responsible for smooth, firm skin.
It is natural to gradually lose collagen and elastin with age, although some lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive sun exposure can increase the rate of loss.
The peptide, known in the scientific community as glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK), can readily bind to copper enzymes. Since the symbol for copper in the periodic table is Cu, this combination is called GHK-Cu.
When you lose collagen and elastin, some skin care products can help bring them back into your skin. This is where peptides can help.
Formally known as peptides, they can specifically stimulate collagen production in the skin, which can address issues such as:
Connective tissue growth caused by copper peptides can also benefit your hair by reducing breakage and promoting overall growth.
However, no modern cosmetic product can completely restore collagen and other connective tissues after they have been lost.
Read on to learn more about the purported benefits of copper peptides for hair and skin, as well as what the science says.
Copper Peptide Ingredients can promote the overall health of your hair in the following ways.
According to a 2018 review of research, copper peptides are believed by some to help improve blood circulation in the skin. Copper itself is reported to help maintain tissue in blood vessels.
Therefore, copper peptides can stimulate hair follicles, allowing them to receive enough oxygen and nutrients to grow new hair.
Copper is one of the trace elements necessary for the production of melanin. This is the compound that determines hair color, as well as eye and skin color.
If you are experiencing hair loss, this may mean that your hair growth cycle has been shortened. This may be due to problems with hair follicles, hormones, etc.
According to an earlier in vitro study from 2007, one of the possible benefits of copper peptides is the ability to prolong this growth cycle, i.e. more time before hair loss.
In addition to stimulating new hair growth, copper peptides can also thicken existing hair. It is believed that enlarged hair follicles can have such an effect. However, more human studies are needed to determine if copper peptides actually provide such benefits.
Copper peptides have the ability to act under the epidermis or outer layer of the skin. This is why peptides help create elastin in collagen deep within the skin tissues.
In general, the anti-aging effect of copper on the skin has been studied. Below are some of the most promising benefits of copper peptides in skin care.
According to a 2015 review of studies, research on copper peptides suggests that they can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen.
According to the same 2015 review of research, in addition to increasing collagen production, copper peptides help boost elastin levels. This can help create firmer and smoother skin.
Copper peptides differ from other types of peptides in their ability to repair the skin and even out the complexion.
It is believed that copper peptides can remove damaged connective tissue from the skin while adding new connective tissue. It can reduce the appearance of:
Copper peptides may also have an antioxidant effect on the skin, reducing inflammation and preventing further damage. GHK-Cu has also been reported to reduce the risk of infection.
Copper peptides can be used in serums and facial moisturizers. However, the use of cleansers containing peptides is not recommended as any effects will disappear after application.
To use it for hair growth, apply a few drops of the serum to your scalp. Massage gently with your fingertips. Do not rinse.
For skin problems, add Copper Peptide Serum to your skin care routine in the following order:
Some facial moisturizers also contain copper peptides. For best results, choose a cream for dry skin and a lotion for typical or oily skin. Twice a day, morning and evening, gently apply upwards.
The benefits of copper peptides have been studied, although their effect on the skin is more scientifically proven than their effect on hair care.
Overall, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of copper peptides.
In addition, certain ingredients in other skin care products may reduce the overall effect of copper peptides. You should avoid using copper peptides with the following ingredients:
However, products containing peptides may have some side effects. As a general rule, it’s important to test any new skin care product before using it on your face or scalp.
For a patch test, apply a small amount of product to the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours. Stop using this product if you develop any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:
Copper toxicity is another possible risk, but this is unlikely if you are using over-the-counter skin care products. This is because the product may contain a combination of other ingredients along with copper peptides.
Read ingredient labels carefully. While the bottle may say it contains copper peptides, these ingredients don’t have to be at the top of the ingredient list. Typically, the ingredients listed first are the main ingredients of the product, while the ingredients listed later are in smaller amounts.
To find out if a product actually contains copper peptides, look for keywords such as “copper-1 tripeptide” or “GHK-Cu”.
Copper peptides penetrate the epidermis of the face and scalp and can promote the production of collagen and elastin.
However, more research is needed to determine if copper peptides are guaranteed to promote hair growth and youthful skin.
Consult a dermatologist if you have specific hair or skin concerns and are interested in adding copper peptides to your routine.
Peptides in skin care are not just advertising. Before we buy this product, let’s see what this ingredient can and cannot do.
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