The scientific community is now beginning to look at the process of aging in terms of the skin's own attempt at "healing wounds." Wrinkles and the process of aging are related to faulty collagen deposition and improper skin cell layering. As we age and lose our ability to naturally regenerate skin cells, we begin to heal "skin wounds" in a non-optimal way which then forms wrinkles. Scientists and skin care researchers are beginning to look towards copper peptides as a powerful wound-healing agent that may dramatically improve our skin's ability to recover.

What are Copper Peptides?

Copper peptides are naturally-occurring metal-amino acid compounds. They are found in trace amounts in our cells. Our cells transform the pure form of copper, combining it with a peptide composed of microscopic fragments of proteins, the crucial building blocks almost all living tissues.

In the 1970's, Dr. Loren Pickart looked into the ability for tissue regeneration in copper peptides. Once formed into the combined peptide, the copper can then be used for biochemical processes related to regeneration and repair. His studies found that specific copper peptides, known as GHK copper peptides (GHK-Cu), were particularly able to heal wounds and skin lesions. . This research resulted in the creation of lamin gel (a copper-peptide infused topical skin treatment for acute and chronic skin wounds and ulcers). This same technology is now being used for anti-aging and anti-wrinkle treatments today.

How Can Copper Peptides Boost Skin Health?

Can this technology work for general skin health and appearance? The answer is possibly yes. Copper peptides have the ability to break down the build-up of "extra-large" collagen formations associated with wrinkles and scars. After this break down, it then can promote the synthesis of normal-sized collagen found in healthy, normal skin.

Copper peptides have been shown to have the ability to synthesize the following healing chemical components in the skin cell matrix:

• Elastin
• Collagen
• Proteoglycans
• Glycosaminoglycans

In addition to being able to break down undesirable forms of collagen, as well as stimulate skin cell synthesis and regeneration, copper peptides also have the ability to regulate the rate of growth and migration in varying classes of skin cells. Copper reduces skin inflammation, and acts as an antioxidant, preventing the excretion of oxidation-promoting iron into skin tissue.

Copper peptides may also offer the following potential skin benefits:

• Stimulation of skin remodeling, creating smoother, younger feeling skin.
• Promotion of skin-wound healing after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and chemical peels of the skin.
• Reduce skin irritation through anti-inflammatory effects. Skin irritation is known to increase the processes of skin aging, promoting toxic free radicals and other byproducts.
• Increase water holding capacity of skin.
• Reduce sagging and fragility.
• Reduce age spots, hyper-pigmentation, melasma, and dark pigmentation.
• Minimize the damage from the daily environment of sun, stress, wind, chemical detergents, acne, wounds, abrasions, etc.
• Possible reduction in the signs of aging through stimulation of collagen production. Studies show that copper peptides produced more stimulation of collagen synthesis than ascorbate (vitamin C) or tretinoin (Retin A, Renova).

Potential Side Effects and Contraindications

While moderate use of copper peptides aids in skin regeneration, large amounts or excessive use can actually create the opposite effect, heightening levels of "free copper" which promotes free radical damage and collagen breakdown instead of preventing it. Excessive use can actually lead to accelerated skin aging, skin weakening, sag and wrinkles. For this reason, only use the recommended daily amount to avoid any negative side effects. There have been rare reports of copper peptide topical use and irritation and redness amongst individuals with sensitive skin, particularly around the delicate under-eye region.