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Pentapeptide and Wrinkle Cream
Pentapeptides, as a group, are long chain amino acids that function as chemical messengers throughout the body. Much of the initial research on these compounds was done in relation to wound healing. In these studies, the pentapeptides collagen growth in the skin. About 70% of skin is made of collagen protein and with age, the amount of collagen in the skin depletes, leading to sagging and wrinkly skin. The way it works is that collagen protein in the skin structure supports the skin's original structure, which gives the skin a firm, young appearance. This is also why some cosmetic procedures include collagen injections that can temporarily put back some of the lost collagen. Of the peptides, acetyl hexapeptide, which has the commercial Argireline is known as a compound that has shown botox-like qualities, with the compound relaxing facial muscles, thus reducing wrinkles without toxicity. In studies, this function of the hexapeptide has proved to reduce the depth of the wrinkles in the face caused by the contraction of the muscles of facial expression, especially around the eyes and the forehead. Also, studies have shown that it may further prevents aging of the skin induced by repeated facial movements. The palmitoyl pentapeptide, meanwhile, works on producing more collagen and has the commercial name of Matrixyl. There is also a compound called Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, which has been found in studies to mimic DHEA in the skin and has the commercial name Rigin. In studies done with the compound, it has been found that it suppresses the body's production of interleukins, particularly IL6, the chemical messengers that trigger the body's acute inflammatory response. Some doctors, including Dr Perricone of the Oprah show 10 Years Younger in 10 Days, think that the inflammatory responses of the skin on cellular level are one of the primary causes for aging skin.
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