What exactly are copper peptides and how can these elements boost skin rejuvenation? 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 strongly. The resulting element consisting of a peptide and a copper atom has become 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 promoting normal skin remodeling. In other words, they help better restore the injured area to its original look.

The sequence of copper peptide action is relatively complex. Copper bound to aminoacids promotes the degradation of "extra-large" collagen bundles found in scars and stimulates the production of smaller more regular collagen found in healthy skin. It also stimulates the production of elastin, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and other elements 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" healing.

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

Various existing skin care treatments are based on the concept of eliminating the outermost or even deeper layers of the skin. The resulting healing mechanism promotes skin remodeling leading to softer, younger looking skin. Since copper peptides improve healing and improve skin remodeling, they can boost the effect of treatments based on various forms of controlled skin damage. In particular, copper peptides can be effective 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, 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 during 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.