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 kinds of peptides have an avid affinity for copper, to which they bind very tightly. The resulting compound including a peptide and a copper atom has become known as a copper peptide.

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

The mechanism of copper peptide action is relatively complex. Copper bound to aminoacids promotes the dissolution of "extra-large" collagen aggregates found in scars and promotes the production of smaller more regular collagen found in normal skin. It also promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans, elastin, proteoglycans and other elements of the skin matrix. Other important effects of Copper Peptides include the capability to regulate the growth rate and migration of different types of cells; important anti-inflammatory action; and the capability to prevent the release of iron capable of promoting oxidation into the tissues. The final result is a faster, better and "cleaner" healing.

You might 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 appears that they can. However, while the wound healing effects of copper peptide have been investigated and documented in many studies, much less research has been done so far on their cosmetic and anti-aging use.

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

Copper peptides are efficient against various forms of skin irritation, mainly because their anti-inflammatory effects. Skin irritation, even in the absence of open wounds, dramatically speeds up skin aging by stimulating the formation of free radicals and other damaging by-products. Some common skin regeneration treatments, such as tretinoin (Retin A, Renova) and alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation. If during treatment you experience skin irritation for a prolonged period of time, your skin will likely end up in a worse shape than when you started. In several cases, copper peptides can reduce or eliminate the irritation and help maximize treatment benefits.