You may have heard the term copper peptides. Being used in anti wrinkle creams, copper peptides are a wound healing compound that are part of the quick regeneration of cell. If you cut your finger and the blood clots, copper peptides speed up the healing of the skin, before scarring is produces, then when the scar fades, new skin is produced with the blood vessels. Basically, this is how the principle of copper peptides contribute to the anti-aging, anti wrinkle process.
Often, when it comes to application in anti aging creams or anti wrinkle creams, it is used in a complex mix with alpha hydroxy acids to slough off the dead, dry, skin cells that appear as fine lines and wrinkles, and then an application of copper peptides speeds the healing of the area. In a dermatologist environment, they use a stronger alpha hyroxy acid peel, and then apply the copper peptides to induce a rapid healing of newer, healthier skin in its place.
Many anti-aging creams and anti wrinkle creams rely on this same technology, except in a milder application. It’s a contensious issue whether an over-the-counter simulation of this process is possible, since it is really a two-part step process that is usually best left to an expert for optimum result. It is possible to purchase a simulated treatment, however, results could take longer to measure, and the copper peptides that are available over-the-counter do not have the same strength as those that dermatologist use.
It is a method that is meant to be more than skin-surface, it is more of a skin remodeling and rebuilding technique, like is used to treat burn patients. This comparison makes it easier to understand the complex nature of this effective method, yet hard to buy at the cosmetics counter. This is a technique used in the newer laser abrasive treatments, which can leave scabs and scarring for a couple weeks, then healing with new skin underneath. This is not a technique you would necessarily want to try at home, although there may be topical treatments you could use on a lesser scale, but not with the same effectiveness.
Other anti aging and anti wrinkle creams which include Copper peptides may also include a wound-healing ingredient similar to a topical antibiotic, like Neosporin. This type of wrinkle reduction usually involves removal of the outer layer of skin. This will reveal a newer layer of skin which is free of blemishes, age spots or the discoloration of typical aging skin. Microdermabrasion kits are on the market that utilize this type of rebuilding. The results are a newer layer of skin and can take multiple applications over periods of time.
You would need to do research on what will work best for you based on the your skin type, where you are in the aging process, and know what side effects to look for. Since this normally involves an alpha hydroxy acid treatment, which can cause redness, burning or blistering in some individuals, followed by a copper peptide based healing moisturizer, you need to exercise caution for side effects and check with a dermatologist, when in doubt.