Peptides: Why Should You Be Using Them

Peptides: Why Should You Be Using Them

There are a lot of ingredients that go into skin care products, some of which you are familiar with. Most people have heard of retinols and antioxidants, but what about peptides? If you have ever looked at an ingredients list on a cosmetic label you have probably seen words like Methyl Glucoside Phosphate or Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, but what do these big scientific words mean to our skin?

What are Peptides?

Peptides are an active chain of amino acids that work with proteins to affect how the cells in our body work. On an ingredients list, the words dipeptide or tripeptide refer to how many amino acids are in the chain. For example, dipeptide means it is built with two amino acids, tripeptide is three and so on. Without getting too deep into a chemistry lesson, basically peptides communicate to your cells what your body needs. Whether it’s to build new collagen because the skin was damaged or to nourish the skin with essential nutrients and vitamins. By using these chains of amino acids in products we are able to trick our skin into thinking that it has lost collagen or hydration and needs to produce more.  

Dermal Epidermal Junction (DEJ)

The DEJ is what holds the skin together, improving its thickness, firmness and elasticity. It is the area that connects the Epidermis, or outermost layer of the skin, to the Dermis, or innermost layer of the skin. Imagine the skin as a series of chain links. If just one of those links break, elasticity would decline and the skin would start to sag. Keeping the DEJ strong with collagen is what can be boosted by peptides. Infact peptides continue to evolve and are even replacing many controversial active ingredients as effective and healthy alternatives.

What to Look for

Popular peptides to look for in your skin care have more common trade names like Matrixyl. I know what you’re thinking, Matrixyl is not a word you commonly use. However it is easier to pronounce than Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4. Matrixyl is a peptide that is used to stimulate fibroblasts to increase collagen which can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It has a long term effect because it stimulates collagen and skin repair. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, or Argireline, is another common ingredient to keep an eye out for. This superficial peptide inhibits muscle contraction to reduce appearance of expression lines. Basically Botox in a bottle. When Argireline is applied to the skin it causes the facial muscles to contract with less force therefore improving fine lines and wrinkles. Some may experience a tighter or more firm feeling in the skin. This peptide is only absorbed superficially meaning it’s effects are only short term. Botox is injected deeper into the skin to prevent the muscle movements for much longer.

Products We Love

Revision Skincare is our main skin care line at ZONA Med Spa, infact it is what I personally use at home. “Make the absolute best products that solve a patient’s skin care problems” was John Muller’s mantra, the founder and CEO of Revision Skincare. This line is a medical grade (meaning only sold by physicians) peptide line that utilizes rare ingredients sourced from all over the world. Everything from freshwater silt derived from a natural lake in Latvia to an oil soluble Vitamin C that maximizes benefits without sacrificing product stability. Revision even has a product named DEJ Face and Eye cream to cater to the Dermal Epidermal Junction. At ZONA Med Spa we also use an anti-aging mask in the treatment room that contains both Matrixyl and Argireline. Along with Hyaluronic Acid, all three peptides to help increase hydration, stimulate collagen and lessen movement of facial muscles to fade away fine lines and wrinkles. Come in and try out these products for yourself! We would love to have you relax while we infuse your skin with peptides and antioxidants to rejuvenate your skin!