WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PEPTIDES, THE POWERHOUSE INGREDIENT
The older we get, the more complicated our “cocktail” of skin care products becomes. With new products and ingredients being introduced to us constantly, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out what each does for the skin. If you haven’t heard about the use of peptides in skincare products, and their many anti-aging benefits, we’re going to tell you what you’ve been missing.
Let’s start with the science. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of protein in the skin. When they are in a short chain of amino acids, they are able to penetrate the top layer of our skin and send signals to our cells to let them know how to function. One of the most important proteins in our skin is collagen because it helps to restore it’s thickness and supple appearance. When we experience a reduction in the production of collagen, wrinkles form and elasticity decreases. What’s exciting about peptides in skincare products is their ability to help revitalize skin’s building blocks so it becomes more resilient. Meaning, that peptides applied topically prompt the formation of new collagen resulting in more youthful looking skin!!!
There are many different types of collagen stimulating peptide products available as well as many different variations of peptide blends within each product. At Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, our favorite peptide products are the Dermaquest Peptide Line Corrector and the Dermaquest Peptide Eye Firming Serum. These products contain effective peptides such as Matrixyl, SNAP 8, and Syn-AKE (which is derived from the venom of the Asian temple snake…YIKES!!!) Over 60% of the product bottle is pure peptides.
The key to achieving desired results with peptide products is patience. For the most part, peptides take time to work. They are best used in serums or creams or can be used in treatments performed by skin care professionals and estheticians. You can start to see results in 4-12 weeks depending on the product and severity of skin concerns. Keep in mind that upkeep is essential with peptides and once discontinued will no longer yield results.
Abundant research has proven that there are many benefits to making peptides a significant part of your skin care regimen. As far as ingredients that address and resolve common skin concerns such as wrinkles, tone and texture, as well as loss of elasticity, peptides are at the top of our list!!!