Skin care products can range from being ineffective to providing dramatic results. When it comes to these products, it’s not so much about the brand or reputation; it’s about the ingredients inside.

Hi, I’m Dr. Aeria Chang. I’ve been providing expert skin care and advanced anti-aging treatments in San Diego since 2008. If you’d like an anti-aging consultation, I’ll spend a few minutes with you learning about your concerns and providing you with recommendations to give you a more youthful appearance.

Peptides Improve the Quality of the Skin

These potent anti-aging molecules are found naturally in the skin’s deepest layers. Peptides, in general, are credited with boosting production of certain molecules in the skin, offering thicker, more youthful looking skin.

Their job is to boost production of important components such as:

• Collagen
• Elastin
• Fibronectin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Laminin

Role of Collagen & Elastin

Collagen & elastin production slows down with age. For example, the amount of collagen you made in your 20’s is far greater than the collagen you make at age 50. In fact, starting at age 20, we produce 1% less collagen with each year of age.

• 100% (max collagen) production at age 20
• 30% less collagen production at age 50
• 50% less collagen production at age 70

To make matters worse, existing collagen and elastin in the skin breaks down with age. Therefore, it is critical to give your skin with all the help it can get when it comes to creating new collagen and elastin. Peptides can signal your cells to boost production of these two anti-aging molecules.

Role of Fibronectin

Fibronectin is a glycoprotein, or a molecule that is a combination of a glucose molecule and a protein molecule. Its main function is for wound healing, but it also binds to collagen in the skin, improving overall structure and strength. Some studies have also shown fibronectin peptides can reduce hyperpigmentation, or melasma.

Role of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar (carbohydrate) molecule in the skin that binds to water in the surrounding area to provide on-the-spot hydration.

When added to a skin care product, for example, hyaluronic acid helps to draw water toward the surface of the skin, resulting in a supple, hydrated appearance.

Hyaluronic acid is found in serums, creams, and gels for topical use in skin care products, but it can also be injected.

Popular lip fillers and dermal fillers contain high concentrations of hyaluronic acid to provide soft volume in areas that have lost volume due to the aging process.

Role of Laminin

Laminin is a protein that exists in the epidermal-dermal junction, or where the outside of the skin (epidermis) meets the deep layer (dermis). Because this protein molecule is too large to be topically absorbed, its peptide form is used in skin care products. Laminin is directly involved in the production of keratin and collagen proteins in the skin.

A recent study showed that topical application of a peptide complex containing laminin peptides significantly increased collagen production in the skin. This resulted in a more youthful appearance in the participants (women aged 40 and older) after two weeks of use. This peptide is sometimes listed as “lamin-5” on the ingredient label.

How to Get Peptides in Your Skin Care

There are plenty of skincare products that include peptide complexes, and we carry several of them right in the office.

If you’d like to add a concentrated peptide complex serum to your daily skin care routine, look for a product that contains at least one peptide.

Call me today for a skin care consultation to help you boost collagen production and look your best at every age. Call my office today at 619.280.1609.

 

Reference:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-skin-wrinkle-wit/