Jeanne asks…Which peptides in face creams are most effective in communicating with facial muscles to cause shortening of them and therefore firming the face?
The Right Brain responds:
According to at least one study, acetyhlexapeptide-8 is capable of reducing wrinkles associated with facial muscles.
How peptides work
This peptide allegedly works similarly to botulintoxin, aka Botox (™), by inhibiting what is known as the SNARE complex which results in reduced muscle contractions. But unlike Botox (™), this peptide does not irreversibly destroy a key protein – its effect is temporary. Acetyhlexapeptide-8 is also supposedly able to relax the collagen and elastin matrix by altering calcium ion uptake.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
We’re skeptical because we don’t know the type and concentration of acetyhlexapeptide-8 used in any given product. Still, there seems to be at least some scientific basis for using this peptide to fight facial wrinkles.
Reference: J. Cosmet. Sci.,58, 157-171 (March/April 2007)
Image credit: http://schaver.com/wp-content/images/face.png
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One study is not a proof of anything. It may work, yet other scientists may find out – it does not. It’s not surprising, many cosmetic substances fail prove their anti-aging properties. Cosmetic industry tries hard to research more exotic and effective substances, but they also face with restrictions of drug laws. If cosmetics substance alters the skin in any way, it has to be classified as drug and most likely will be sold with prescription. Also like everything in this world, it will have some side effects.
So science works in this way: peptides have to be tested many times and by different researchers. If results come out similar then probably it works. ?f other researchers do not replicate first study results, then probably peptides do not work.
Take for example: tretinoin. It has hundreds of published studies. It works and proven scientifically by many experiments. On the other hand peptides only have one Spanish study, published in Cosmetic science journal…
More evidence is needed to prove efficiency of peptides.
@Pukute: Agreed! We didn’t mean to over-emphasize the importance of a single study. Thanks for clarifying.
As long as you maintain proper skin care and moisturize, exfoliate- just do your research- you shouldn’t have to worry too much about fixing wrinkles. I discovered a company called lovemybody.com that caters to repairing wrinkles and sun-damage, I seriously recommend this to anybody who likes healthy skin!
Hey dear as long as you maintain proper skin care and moisturize, exfoliate- just do your research- you shouldn’t have to worry too much about fixing wrinkles.
The peptides you’re looking for include substances like Argireline, GHK, Matrixyl or SNAP-8. Peptides like these can be acquired for one’s own research, and are contained in numerous anti-aging cosmetics.
Hi Beauty Brains!
What about the new peptide Sederma recently came out with, Matrixyl 6 (INCI: Glycerin, Water (Aqua), Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38)
According to their website – Matrixyl® synthe’6® fills in wrinkles from the inside both on the forehead and the crow’s feet for a visibly smoother and plumper skin. Thanks to its matrikine–like effect, Matrixyl® synthe’6® stimulates 6 major constituents of the skin matrix and the dermal–epidermal junction (DEJ) and ensures an optimal architecture of the tissue. In vivo studies demonstrated that, after 2 months, the forehead and crow’s feet wrinkles are visibly smoothed from the inside of the skin. Many parameters demonstrated this smoothing effect (wrinkle volume, depth, surface…) and more particularly the lifting effect and the wrinkle spread.
I haven’t been able to find other studies on this ingredient and was wondering if you might know more about it. Is it the holy grail?
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