What exactly are copper peptides and how can these elements boost skin rejuvenation? Generally speaking, peptides are small portions of proteins (and the proteins are the basic building blocks of most living tissues). Certain kinds of peptides have an avid affinity for copper, to which they bind very strongly. The resulting element including a peptide and a copper atom has been known as a copper peptide.

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

The mechanism of copper peptide action is rather complex. Copper bound to aminoacids promotes the dissolution of "extra-large" collagen bundles found in scars and stimulates the production of smaller more regular collagen found in normal skin. It also stimulates the production of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, elastin and other components of the skin matrix. Other crucial effects of Copper Peptides include the capability to control the growth rate and migration of different types of cells; significant anti-inflammatory action; and the capability to avoid the release of iron capable of promoting oxidation into the tissues. The net result is a faster, better and "cleaner" curing.

You might say it's nice to have cleanly healed wounds, but what about people who don't have any wounds or ulcerations to heal? Can copper peptides be useful for normal skin protection and rejuvenation? It seems that they can. However, while the wound healing effects of copper peptide have been investigated and documented in various studies, much less research has been done so far on their cosmetic and anti-aging application.

Many existing skin care treatments are based on the concept of eliminating the external or even deeper layers of the skin. The resulting healing process stimulates skin remodeling leading to smoother, younger looking skin. Since copper peptides optimize curing and improve skin remodeling, they can increase the effect of treatments based on various forms of controlled skin damage. In particular, copper peptides can be useful 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 effects. Skin irritation, even in the absence of open wounds, strongly accelerates skin aging by stimulating the formation of free radicals and other damaging by-products. Some renamed skin rejuvenation treatments, such as tretinoin (Retin A, Renova) and alpha hydroxy acids can promote irritation. If under treatment you suffer skin irritation for a prolonged period of time, your skin may likely end up in a worse condition than when you started. In many cases, copper peptides can minimize or eliminate the irritation and help maximize treatment benefits.