What exactly are copper peptides and how can these elements improve skin regeneration? Generally speaking, peptides are small fragments of proteins (and the proteins are the key building blocks of most living tissues). Certain types of peptides have an avid affinity for copper, to which they bind very tightly. The resulting compound consisting of a peptide and a copper atom has become known as a copper peptide.

Several substances can have a positive effect on wound healing. A distinctive characteristic of bioavailable copper peptides is that they reduce scar tissue formation while promoting normal skin remodeling. In other words, they aid better restore the damaged area to its original look.

The sequence of copper peptide action is relatively complex. Copper bound to aminoacids promotes the dissolution of "extra-large" collagen bundles found in scars and stimulates the synthesis of smaller more regular collagen found in healthy skin. It also stimulates the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, elastin and other components of the skin matrix. Other important actions of Copper Peptides include the ability to control the growth rate and migration of different kinds of cells; important anti-inflammatory action; and the ability to avoid the release of iron capable of promoting oxidation into the tissues. The final result is a faster, better and "cleaner" healing.

You can say it's nice to have cleanly healed wounds, but what about people who do not have any wounds or ulcerations to heal? Can copper peptides be effective for normal skin protection and regeneration? It seems that they can. However, while the wound healing actions of copper peptide have been researched and documented in many studies, much less investigation has been done so far on their cosmetic and antiaging use.

Many existing skin care solutions are based on the concept of removing the outermost or even deeper layers of the skin. The resulting healing process promotes skin remodeling leading to smoother, younger looking skin. Since copper peptides improve healing and improve skin remodeling, they can increase the effect of therapies based on various forms of controlled skin injury. In particular, copper peptides can be effective after various forms of laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and chemical peels.

Copper peptides are efficient against various forms of skin irritation, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory actions. Skin irritation, even in the absence of open lesions, dramatically speeds up skin aging by promoting the formation of free radicals and other toxic by-products. Some common skin regeneration treatments, like tretinoin (Retin A, Renova) and alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation. If under treatment you suffer skin irritation for a prolonged period of time, your skin will likely end up in a worse condition than when you started. In several cases, copper peptides can reduce or eliminate the irritation and help boost treatment benefits.