The word “peptides” sounds like a type of laundry detergent or maybe even something a person would take to relieve an upset stomach or indigestion. Let there be no more confusion about peptides regardless of the name sounding like some major brand name products that are entirely unrelated. Everyone has peptides because they are produced naturally by the human body, although some have more than others.
There are many positive aspects of increasing peptide levels in the body, including anti-aging effects for the skin and promoting wound healing.
Making Peptides
Peptides are naturally occurring substances created in the human body through the breakdown of proteins. As the body ages, fewer peptides are produced, and this, in part, produces an aging effect. Not enough peptides can result in wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and even an extended time for wound healing.
Synthetic peptides or those produced in a laboratory can be applied topically or taken orally as a dietary supplement. Peptides applied topically are absorbed by the skin to promote anti-aging effects. Those taken orally as a dietary supplement are absorbed and circulated throughout the body, including the skin. It is important to note that because peptides are produced naturally by the body, supplementing peptides lead to very few side effects.
Promoting Youthful Skin
The anti-aging properties of peptides have several benefits for the skin. Peptides stimulate collagen production, and this is significant because collagen helps to keep skin youthful and strong. They also help lessen wrinkles and fine lines.
Protection from the damaging rays of the sun is another benefit of peptides. Melatonin helps shield the skin from sun damage, and peptides increase the production of melatonin. For those who already have skin damage from the sun in the form of age spots or other dark patches, peptides can produce an effect called “skin lightening” and can make the skin appear less mottled.
Aiding Wound Healing
With tall of these positive effects on the anti-aging properties of the skin, it is no surprise that peptides have other uses in skin health. Researchers are studying how peptides impact wound healing. They have proven that peptides have an antimicrobial effect, which helps ward off infections by destroying bacteria. It is also known that peptides help relieve inflammation and promote new skin growth.
All of this makes for faster and healthier healing. However, since this is a somewhat new area of application for synthetic peptides, there is still more research needed to ensure it is safe to use in healing wounds.
The production of peptides is a natural process in the body that decreases with age. The use of synthetic peptides, either applied topically or ingested as a dietary supplement, has several positive effects for the skin. Used to promote the production of collagen, increase melatonin levels, peptides can also help to protect against sun damage and lightening age spots leading to more youthful skin. They can also kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote the growth of new skin, which can aid in wound healing.
I take a scoop of collagen peptides in my evening camomile tea every night and I think it makes a big difference!
Resources:
and/or essential oils instead!
and essential oils.
(I wonder: would witch hazel work?)
if the spray dries your skin out.
