More beautiful skin doesn’t have to be a mystery. Once you know the ways in which skin remains healthy, firm, smooth, and glowing, you can work to preserve your skin by giving your skin the best of what it needs.
The top priority of most people seeking to forestall the aging process is reducing visible lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation – especially on the face. To reduce this, we need to understand why those lines appear.
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Pentapeptide-18: Stopping The Wrinkles Before They Form
What Causes Fine Lines?
The formation of wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes – the so-called “expression lines” – is caused primarily by two factors: (1) less collagen and (2) repeated contraction of muscles around the face.
RegenLabs skincare products contain ingredients to target both of these causes. As we age, collagen degrades faster simultaneously with our bodies’ reduction in collagen production – a double whammy against firm skin. Our Radiance skincare line includes Argireline and GHK-cu to enhance collagen production and protection.
What Is Pentapeptide-18?
Let’s focus on the second cause of fine lines – the repeated contraction of muscles around the forehead and eyes. What if you could reduce lines and wrinkles before they formed – giving your collagen a much-needed break? That’s the purpose of Pentapeptide-18: stopping the wrinkles before they form.
Pentapeptide-18, also known asLeuphasyl, is a synthetic peptide composed of five amino acids. It is derived from natural peptides called enkephalins which are closely related to endorphins.
Leuphasyl has been called “the natural botox” because it works to produce the same effects as botulinum toxin but without the poisonous basis for the treatment. (Botulinum Toxins are the most poisonous substances known to man. Leuphasyl, by contrast, is derived from naturally occurring peptides already in our bodies.)
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How Does Pentapeptide-18 Work?
This promising treatment works byinhibiting the repeated contraction of muscles and is believed to target facial muscles specifically. Leuphasyl modulates the action ofacetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps your muscles contract. Fewer repeated contractions of the facial muscles mean fewer lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.
In their study, researchers Dragomirescu, et. al. stated that “[Pentapeptide-18] inhibits the neuromuscular synapses in the mimic muscles, acting as enkephalins. It links the enkephalin receptor to nerve cells, thereby modulating the release of acetylcholine in the synaptic space. This cellular activity will be translated in vivo in a relaxation of the muscle and a reduction of expression wrinkles.”
In human tests, Leuphasyl has been shown to reduce lines by 11%. But Leuphasyl combined with Argireline reduced lines by 25-50%. (That’s why RegenLabs skincare products are formulated with both of these important ingredients.) So while the Leuphasyl is preventing as many wrinkles as possible, our GHK-cu and Argireline are acting as a backup to reduce the appearance of those lines that do form.
Dr. Howard Maibach, Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, wrote in his research review “The Role of Topical Peptides in Preventing or Treating Aged Skin” that “Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl) mimics the natural mechanism of enkephalins and as a result inhibits neuronal activity and catecholamine release. An active-controlled trial compared cream containing 5% Leuphasyl solution (0.05%), cream containing 5% Argireline solution (0.05%) and combination. Mean wrinkle reductions were 11.64% vs. 16.26% vs. 24.62% for Leuphasyl, Argireline, and combination respectively.This study suggested a synergistic effect between Leuphasyl and Argireline.”
The “natural botox” has another important advantage compared with the original. While botox must be injected by a medical professional, Pentapeptide-18 can be administered very effectively by applying it topically to the skin. This is because Leuphasyl is apeptide of synthesis, meaning that it has the ability to penetrate skin cells to deliver its effects.
So, without injections or a trip to the doctor, Leuphasyl enables you to pursue much the same effect as botox.
It is a lot to think about! We get it. If you have questions about fine lines and wrinkles or any of the ingredients or conditions discussed here, Regen Labs has options for you. All Regen Labs products support the body’s natural systems for a healthy brain, skin, muscle, and sexual health.
Without toxins or synthetic chemicals, Regen Labs products, like Liquid Facelift® Regenerative Face Cream, contain research-proven ingredients to boost the body’s natural ability to be healthy.
Let’s talk! If you have questions, we would love to connect. Contact us today.
Have you tried using a product to minimize your fine lines? How did it go? Let us know in the comments section below!
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