Skin Care Ingredients Part one: Peptides

This is the first in a series of posts addressing skin care ingredients. If you understand what is in the products you buy and how they work you will better be able to determine if you are really getting what you pay for .Also you will better understand how they help your skin. I am starting out with Peptides. They are the newest breakthrough in skin care ingredients. I am just learning about these myself. I couldn’t be more excited!


Peptides

Peptides are the new BUZZWORD in skin care for the beginning of this decade. Peptides work to enhance natural processes, such as stimulating Collagen production and blocking the enzymes that destroy elastin. This helps skin to remain firmer and more Resilient.

I am going to try to present this new technology in simple layman terms. There are 20 amino acids in the body. Peptides are formed when several amino acids are linked. The combination of forming these building blocks are endless. I am going to address the 4 types of peptides that are being used in skin care today.



Acetyl Hexapeptide-3

This peptide is the wrinkle relaxer. Topically applied it treats the same type of wrinkles as Botox injections. With some major differences. Peptides can be used anywhere on the face without the risk of it migrating into areas you don’t want it OR paralyzing muscles you DON”T want paralyzed.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3

This peptide works by stimulating the deeper, matrix layers of the skin. It increases overall collagen production, the production of collagen IV and hyraluronic acid synthesis in the skin. It also helps the skin heal faster.
(The following is a brief description of what Hyraluronic acid is. Hyaluronic acid can hold 10 times it weight of water, thus making it a voluble skin hydrator.)

Hyaluronic acid is a type of polysaccharide called a glycosaminoglycan. Also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body and is central to regulating cell growth and renewal. In fact, it is found extensively in connective, epithelial, and neural cells. As such, hyaluronic acid has found its way into many skin care products, particularly anti-wrinkle formulations.


Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
This peptide stimulates the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the deep layers of the skin. In addition to that it also ha a mild UV protection effect. So it helps to protect the skin from damage.



Copper Peptides
They are a small family of peptides that include a copper molecule in their structure. They have the ability to encourage the skin to heal wounds. Most doctors do not encourage copper peptides in anti-wrinkle creams. They seem to work far better in wound healing and that is where you will most likely see this peptide used. Although I have seen them still popping up in regular skin care.



We use Pavonia skin care in our salon. It is a high quality Botanical product line.

The following is a description of Pavonia’s latest Facial treatment utilizing Polypeptides. This treatment is considered a high performance freeze dried facial treatment.

Pavonia’s newest treatment using polypeptides.

PevoReclaim Polypeptides Freeze-Dried Treatment


By delivering a high concentration of Marine Collagen & Marine Elastin for outstanding absorbency, this in-spa polypeptides freeze-dried treatment is proven-effective to protect your skin against premature aging, smoothing wrinkles, and combating skin slackening.

 I hope this post was easy to understand. I am excited for the future of skin care. The science behind it is improving all the time. Peptides have the ability to be important in the future of skin care!