What are Peptides, and Why Do You Need Them in Your Hair Routine?

Power Fol

You may have heard of the use of peptides in your skin care products. They are known to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, boost firmness of the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, and more. But did you know they are powerful ingredients when it comes to taking care of your hair? Let’s take a look at peptides and why they are so important for healthy hair growth. 

What are peptides? 

Peptides are strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins that make up our hair, skin, and nails.10 Like proteins, peptides are naturally occurring in our bodies. As we age and are exposed to environmental stressors like pollution, our bodies levels of peptides may decrease. 

Peptides usually contain anywhere from 2-50 amino acids. They are much smaller than proteins and easier for the body to absorb. Because they are broken down more easily, they can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream more quickly.5,10 

Peptides are used within the body to send signals between cells and act as an energy source, while also serving as a structural component in cell membranes.7 Recent research indicates that certain types of peptides could help slow down the aging process, reduce inflammation and destroy microorganisms within the body.5,7

How do peptides work?

Peptides work by stimulating the body's own natural processes.10  As we age, our body loses its ability to repair itself and the skin produces fewer collagen and elastin fibers. Peptides can help restore the healing process by acting as cell-signaling agents, stimulating your cells to grow and repair themselves more quickly than usual. This supports the protein production that is essential for skin and hair health, as well as reduce inflammation and irritation.5

Peptides for the Hair 

Peptide-based products may help improve hair growth by acting as cell signaling agents, supporting the protein production that is influential in growing hair.5 They can also help reduce inflammation and irritation in the scalp that can be harmful to healthy hair growth.10 Inflammation can cause an autoimmune reaction that enlarges the hair follicle, disrupting the various cycles of hair growth.7,10 

Peptides help nourish, hydrate, and moisturize our scalp and hair. They can circulate blood to the hair follicles, giving them the nutrients and oxygen they need to grow.7 Peptides can also prompt the body to produce more collagen and elastin, which help keep the hair's structure strong.10

Let’s take a look at some of the peptides we use in The Power Fol Multi – Correctional Scalp & Hair Treatment and The Power Fol Multi-Correctional Eyelash & Eyebrow Growth Serum to promote the appearance of thicker hair density. 

+ Pea Peptides
A legume rich in proteins and has one of the highest concentrations of fiber and protein per gram.3 They have been studied for the ability to help promote hair density and should also provide immediate lift to the hair in addition to long-term benefits.6
+ Lupine Peptides
The hydrolyzed protein from white Lupine Seeds act as an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids that help provide essential nutrients needed to keep the skin of the scalp healthy and grow strong hair.4 The peptides in Lupine extract can suppress hair loss hormones at the follicle.3
+ Red Clover Flower 
Red Clover Flower is a tetrapeptide that inhibits the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrosterone, which is a major contributor to hair loss. Red Clover Flower helps to reduce inflammation and creates a stronger anchor point for the hair follicle by encouraging the production of healthy keratin proteins at the follicle.8
+ Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 stimulates keratin production in the hair follicle to activate hair growth and increases anchor proteins in the root sheath to prevent hair loss, allowing hair to grow longer. Clinical studies show that after 15 days of use, hair length and density increased while hair loss decreased.2
+ Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is comprised of four different amino acids that stimulated tissue formulation, increasing collagen production in the skin and directly impacting the hair follicle. This powerful peptide will help to improve the anchoring of the hair follicle by increasing the size of the follicle and encouraging the growth of keratin structures.1
+ Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 contains five amino acids that work to stimulate the genes in the hair’s inner root sheath to increase hair density and volume. It is known to encourage the production of keratin in the cells, increasing the length and strength of hair growth.9

Peptides are incredibly diverse and can be used in a number of ways. When it comes to maintaining your hair and scalp health. If you feel like your hair isn't growing as well as it could, consider adding well-formulated product that includes peptides to your hair routine.

 

REFERENCES
1.     Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 (Explained + Products). (n.d.). Incidecoder.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/acetyl-tetrapeptide-3
2.     Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 (Explained + Products). (n.d.). Incidecoder.com. https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/biotinoyl-tripeptide-1
3.     Burnett, C. L., Boyer, I. J., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., Hill, R. A., Klaassen, C. D., Liebler, D. C., Marks, J. G., Shank, R. C., Slaga, T. J., Snyder, P. W., & Heldreth, B. (2022). Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Proteins and Peptides as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 41(2_suppl), 5S20S. https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818221100700
4.     Cheng, L., Bucciarelli, B., Liu, J., Zinn, K., Miller, S., Patton-Vogt, J., Allan, D., Shen, J., & Vance, C. P. (2011). White Lupin Cluster Root Acclimation to Phosphorus Deficiency and Root Hair Development Involve Unique Glycerophosphodiester Phosphodiesterases. Plant Physiology, 156(3), 1131–1148. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.111.173724
5.     Cruz, C. F., Ribeiro, A., Martins, M., & Cavaco-Paulo, A. (2017). Effect of a peptide in cosmetic formulations for hair volume control. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 39(6), 600–609. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12415
6.     Grothe, T., Wandrey, F., & Schuerch, C. (2019). Short communication: Clinical evaluation of pea sprout extract in the treatment of hair loss. Phytotherapy Research, 34(2), 428–431. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6528
7.     Loing, E., Lachance, R., Ollier, V., & Hocquaux, M. (2013). A new strategy to modulate alopecia using a combination of two specific and unique ingredients. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 64(1), 45–58. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23449130/
8.     Rishikaysh, P., Dev, K., Diaz, D., Qureshi, W. M. S., Filip, S., & Mokry, J. (2014). Signaling Involved in Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Development. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 15(1), 1647–1670. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15011647
9.     Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 (Explained + Products). (n.d.). Incidecoder.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/myristoyl-pentapeptide-17
10.  Uno, H., & Kurata, S. (1993). Chemical Agents and Peptides Affect Hair Growth. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 101(s1), 143S147S. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12363275
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