peptides

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A peptide is a molecule consisting of 2 or more amino acids. Peptides are smaller than proteins, which are also chains of amino acids. Molecules small enough to be synthesized from the constituent amino acids are, by convention, called peptides rather than proteins. The dividing line is at about 50 amino acids. Depending on the number of amino acids, peptides are called dipeptides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides, and so on.

When we age collagen is destroyed but not replaced. As a result the skin becomes thin and wrinkled over time. When collagen breaks down, it forms specific peptides. These peptides act as a signal to tell your skin it was damaged and to make new collagen. Applying peptides directly to your skin is a way to trick your skin into thinking that it has lost collagen recently and needs to make more. The most popular signal peptide for cosmetic use is palmitoyl pentapeptide (Matrixyl). It can be found in many peptide skin products (like crease ease gel, crease ease emulsion and almost all Janson Beckett products) and is proven effective in improving the appearance of fine lines.

However, these peptides are much less powerful than Botox, it has been clinically proven that the peptide Argireline has remarkable anti-aging properties when applied to the skin. A clinical study proved that an emulsion with 10% acetyl hexapeptide-3 showed a 30% reduction of wrinkles after 30 days of use.

But.... to be really effective peptides need to be present in the right concentration. Unfortunately the dosages often are not mentioned on the package. Looking at the high costs that go with using peptides, a lot of skin care manufacturers use dosages that are too low to be effective. On all Janson Beckett Cosmeceuticals the used concentrations are mentioned though, and only the clinically proven effecitive dosages are used; e.g. each product contains at least 10% Argireline). Where possible higher concentrations are used, if that contributes to the effectiveness of the product.

Some peptides might block transmission of signals from nerves to your facial muscles. In particular, the neuropeptide argireline has been shown in the laboratory to block the release of neurotransmitters from nerves. Besides argireline, there are more peptides with these kinds of effect. Most important peptides are:

If you click on the peptide links, you will find more information about that specific peptide and what it can do for the skin. You will also find an overview of which products in our shop contain this specific ingredient.

Sources:

* SkinInc. Magazine July 2011 - article written by Ahmed Abdullah, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon, is CEO, co-founder and formulator of Lexli International, Inc. He is a member of the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) based in Dallas, and has served on its board. Abdullah is a clinical associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and owns and practices at Plastic Surgery Institute PC and the Lexli Skin Care Center, both of which are based in Fargo, North Dakota.

* Janson Beckett Cosmeceuticals - Peter Rullan, MD Dermatology Institute, former President of the San Diego Dermatology Society and Board Member, California Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

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