Copper Peptides

Improperly healed wounds are characterized by incorrect or aberrant deposition of collagen and imperfect skin cell layering.

A class of compounds called "copper peptides" have been developed for their ability to modify the process of wound healing by minimizing scar formation and improving skin remodeling.

What exactly are copper peptides and how can they modify the biological response to injuries? Generally speaking, peptides are small fragments of proteins. (And the proteins are the one of the key building blocks of most living tissues, the other are complex carbohydrates or sugar chains and DNA.) Certain kinds 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.

For years the only source of this compounds has been those synthezised in a laboratory from soy proteins after the pionnering work of Doctor Loren Pickart, the biochemist who originated this ground-breaking theory that copper peptides have skin remodeling properties, activate and are integral to the cycle of skin renewal (www.skinbiology.com).

The secretions collected from snails provide the only natural source of these molecules as they contains glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that tightly bind divalent copper cations Cu +2 and peptides, copper peptides.

Dr Pickart discovered copper peptides while doing experiements that tried to reverse certain effects of aging in animals. Since then, GHK-Cu and certain other copper-peptides, have been found to accelerate the regeneration and repair of many types of mammalian tissues.

Studies, at numerous universities and research institutes, have found copper-peptides to:

- Accelerate wound repair (humans, mice, rats, guinea pigs, pigs, dogs)

- Increase skin re-epithelialization (humans, animals)

- Improve skin graft transplant success (pigs)

- Improve hair transplant success (humans)

- GHK analogs with fatty residue analogs increase hair follicle size, stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss (humans, mice, rats). Increases hair growth after chemotherapy (rats)

- Reverse aging effects on skin (humans) - thickens skin, reduces small and large wrinkles, reduces blotchiness and blemishes, improves elasticity, and increases keratinocyte and fibroblast production, thickens the subcutaneous fat layer

- Stimulate bone healing (guinea pigs, pigs, rabbits)

- Heal stomach ulcers (rats)

- Heal injured intestinal linings (humans, rats)

- Block oxidative injury in tissues.

- Restore normal function in lives damaged by toxins (rats)

- Numerous anti-inflammatory actions (reduces release of oxidizing iron, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta-1, IL-1)

Many substances can have a positive effect on wound healing. A distinctive feature of copper peptides is that they reduce 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 relatively complex. Copper bound to aminoacids induces the degradation of "extra-large" collagen aggregates found in scars and promotes the synthesis of smaller more regular collagen found in normal skin. It also promotes the synthesis of elastin, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and other components of the skin matrix. Other important effects of Copper Peptides include the ability to regulate the growth rate and migration of different types of cells; significant anti-inflammatory action; and the ability to prevent the release of oxidation-promoting iron into the tissues. The net result is a faster, better and "cleaner" healing of wounds.

Can copper peptides be useful for regular skin protection and rejuvenation?

While the biosynthesis and breakdown of collagen, elastin, and water-holding GAGs exists in a dynamic balance in young healthy skin, after age 25 the skin's production of collagen, elastin, and the water-holding GAGs is reduced while the rate of breakdown of these factors is increased and starts wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity. The problem become progressively more serious with passing years. The good news is there are now synthetic (synthetic copper peptides) and natural substances (snail glycoconjugates that also contain copper peptides as part of a complex biological activator of skin repair and remodeling) that can counteract this process.

The available evidence indicated the following potential skin benefits of copper peptides:

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

Copper peptides are effective against various forms of skin irritation, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Skin irritation, even in the absence of open lesions, dramatically accelerates skin aging by promoting the formation of free radicals and other toxic byproducts. Some common skin rejuvenation treatments, such as tretinoin (Retin A, Renova) and alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation. If during treatment you experience skin irritation for an extended period of time, your skin will likely end up in a worse shape than when you started. In many cases, copper peptides can reduce or eliminate the irritation and help maximize treatment benefits.

It is always easier to prevent the damage than to fix it later. To a significant degree, skin aging is caused by the accumulation of minor day-to-day damage from sun, wind, detergents, acne, abrasions and so forth. As these minute lesions heal, they leave microscopic imperfections, which, eventually, accumulate to become visible signs of aging. While it remains to be further researched, it appears that copper peptides can help minimize the damage from daily wear and tear of the skin. For instance, one study demonstrated that copper peptides helped recover skin integrity after exposure to SLS, a common detergent found in many shampoos, cleansers, and dishwashing/laundry products.

Can copper peptides reverse wrinkles and other signs of aging in the intact skin?
Theoretically, it is possible since copper peptides promote the degradation of abnormally large cross-linked collagen (the one found in scars and, to a lesser degree, in wrinkles). They also stimulate the production of "regular" collagen found in normal skin. In one small study, copper peptides stimulated collagen production in the intact skin. In fact, in that study copper peptides produced a stronger stimulation of collagen synthesis than tretinoin (Retin A, Renova) or ascorbate (vitamin C). While clinical studies have shown the positive effects on photo-aged skin fron the daily application for 4 to 8 weeks of cosmetic preparations with the snail secretions, which contain copper peptides and complex glycoconjugates.

While moderate use of synthetic copper peptides stimulates collagen synthesis and has antioxidant effect (by stimulating the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase), excessive use of synthetic copper peptides extracted from soy proteins can have an opposite effect by increasing the levels of free copper. Free copper promotes free radical damage and collagen breakdown leading to accelerated skin aging. These problems do not seem to occur among the majority of copper peptide users. However, there are anecdotal reports indicating that such side-effects might happen with overuse or, rarely, even normal use in sensitive individuals. Ideally, a sufficiently large study is needed to better quantify these risk.

Finally, copper peptides found as part of the complex glycoconjugates secreted by land snails are a safe and effective skin treatment. Their ability to improve the healing of various types of skin lesions is well established. And the snail secretions slow down the development of the signs of skin aging by limiting the consequences of daily wear and tear. Also, the snail secretions have an effect on skin rejuvenation due to the presence in them of enzymes that degrade denatured proteins into their amino-acid components and trigger an orchestrated rebuilding and remodeling of the skin tissues.

What makes the copper peptides in BIOSKINCARE effective and safer?

A natural cosmetic product, not a drug, pharmaceutical product.

BIO SKIN CARE™ is made with the natural secretions from a land snail (Helix Aspersa Müller), the same they use to quickly repair their own skin and shell when damaged. It is a viscose liquid that is made into an odorless white cream.
Analysis of the mucin has determined that it contains activators of skin growth factors, antimicrobial peptides, natural anti-inflammatory and immune modulating proteins, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans that tightly bind divalent copper cations Cu +2, and acharan sulfate glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) as a protein-free polysaccharide.

Unlike harsh chemicals and physical processing typically used to produce protein supplements, which unfortunately denatures (destroys) the natural configuration of proteins yielding something that is not completely absorbed and utilized by the human body, the proteic secretions of the snail are used as they are naturally to make them into our cream, without any process that may denature them, and on the contrary their bio-availabity for living cells is thorougly preserved.

Double blind studies comparing placebo to the active product on one side of the face compared to the other using objective techniques to measure wrinkle depth have shown improving in this parameter as well as skin smoothness, suppleness and reduction of hiperpigmentation in more than 80% of subjects studied. Most people have seen results in as little as two weeks when they have applied BIO SKIN CARE™ cream twice a day every day.

Topical application of BIO SKIN CARE™ is also a potent messages that signals to your system that it is beeing taking care off in a balanced and proper way, with all the ingredients that help it accelerate the natural skin renewal process.

Application of the cream night and day for a period of 2 months yields:

Decrease in wrinkles depth,

Increase in collagen and elastin from within the deep layers of the skin, giving skin firmness,

Improvement of the water holding capacity of healthy skin, reducing sagging and fragility,

Reduction of age spots, dark pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, melasma,

Relief of topic dermatitis,

Restoration of the natural skin color of those affected by hiperpigmentation, in people of all skin colors including African, Asian & Latin.

BIO SKIN CARE™ helps your skin repair and moisturize itself! There is nothing like it! It has been used on age lines, age spots, abrasions, acne, athlete's foot, boils, chilblains, diabetic sores, diaper rash, infected nails, insect bites/stings, skin allergies, skin ulcers and stretch marks and other skin problems and conditions. It is just excellent. Wounds heal with minimal scarring. Try BIO SKIN CARE™ and help your skin rejuvenate naturally!

Ultra exfoliate rough scars and dull skin with BIOSKINEXFOL

Home microdermabrasion cream. Contains the same natural ingredients in BIOSKINCARE but infused with micro-crystals so that you may rub it with your finger tips to remove old, hard, and tough scars or stretch marks by a physical breakdown of the scar tissues. Best also for oily skin and aged skin, actinic keratosis scales and pitted acne scars. Not for keloids and not if your skin is still fragile (use BIOSKINCARE for a few months first to strengthen your skin). The compounded action of the physical abrasion and the enzymes in the cream liquefy damaged proteins more thoroughly helping to release amino-acids to aid in rebuilding damaged tissues quickly. Results are not only immediate, but compound over time and do not trigger inflamm-aging of delicate skin tissues.

Microdermabrasion Benefits

Made in the USA. Two to Three Month's supply 120 grams = 4.23 oz

120 Gram Bottle: $79

Get rid of hiperpigmentation of scar areas and tissues and sun & age spots while reviving and protecting the skin from the effects of free radicals with BIO SKIN REJUVENATION

A deeply moisturizing natural skin care cream that replenishes the lipid barrier of the skin and triggers the repair of cells damaged by UV radiation and Free Radicals. Also gets rid of brown, sun and age spots, actinic keratosis scales and all types of skin blemishes. The same ingredients in BIOSKINCARE with an added natural substance that reduces melanin hyperpigmentation and a biomimetic peptide that inhibits the accumulation of melanin pigments.

Skin Rejuvenation Benefits

One Month's Supply 1.76 oz., 50 Gram Bottle: $69.98