Hair Growth
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The hair growth cycle goes through three main phases: the anagen phase of the new hair follicles, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase. The hair that falls out normally is in the telogen phase, and the normal amount of hair can be maintained because the hair that enters the telogen phase and the hair that enters the new anagen phase is constantly in dynamic equilibrium. Studies have shown that there are a number of factors that can affect the normal hair growth cycle. The main ones are hormone secretion disorders, immune dysfunction, excessive mental stress, staying up late, seborrheic and obesity. Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved only two drugs for the treatment of hair loss, finasteride and Minoxidil. However, these drugs have shown certain adverse effects in clinical use. For example, the use of finasteride can cause orthostatic hypotension, chills, allergic contact dermatitis, etc., and long-term use can lead to sexual dysfunction in men. The use of Minoxidil, on the other hand, may cause a burning or itching sensation in the skin around the treated area, and hair that feels dry, straw-like and dull, and hairy after the treatment.
Hair growth products
To combat hair loss, hair growth products are proliferating. Common hair regeneration products include Minoxidil, finasteride, plant extracts, laser therapy, and some special conditioners and shampoos. These products work through different mechanisms, mainly focusing on activating hair follicles, lengthening the hair growth cycle, reducing DHT (dihydrotestosterone) inhibition of hair follicles, and improving the scalp environment. For example, Minoxidil acts as a topical drug to promote hair growth by dilating scalp blood vessels and increasing blood flow. Finasteride reduces the production of DHT by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase, thereby preventing hair loss. In recent years, peptide products have been paid more and more attention because of their good biocompatibility and few side effects.
Peptides for hair growth
Cell division, renewal and repair are inseparable from high-quality proteins, and high-quality proteins are inseparable from peptides. If the scalp is supplemented with targeted peptides to repair damaged cells and promote the normal metabolism of the above cells, the effect of hair growth and hair darkening can be achieved. Peptides promote hair regeneration and repair through a variety of mechanisms. For example, certain peptides can stimulate the proliferation of hair follicle cells and enhance the hair follicle's ability to grow, thus promoting hair regeneration. These peptides are usually applied topically or directly to the scalp or hair follicles to exert their biological activity.
Copper peptides for hair growth
In recent years, scientists may have found an effective way to treat hair loss by stimulating collagen synthesis on the Cu-GHK-based scalp. Cu-GHK is a tripeptide complex composed of glycine, histidine, and lysine, with copper ions (Cu) complexed with GHK. The study found that Cu-GHK is able to regenerate hair in vitro and in vivo, and its mechanism of action includes promoting the proliferation and growth of hair follicle cells, increasing the size of hair follicles, and helping to cover hair follicles with new villi. This effect is comparable to that of Minoxidil and is a potential hair growth ingredient.
After using Cu-GHK products, there was a significant improvement in the results of hair transplantation. Since its discovery in 1973, GHK-Cu has been used as a maintenance and regeneration chemical and is now widely used in skin and hair products. Compared to other materials, GHK-Cu has fewer side effects, so it is favored by many people. To date, it has been determined that GHK-Cu is able to:
Fig.1 A GHK-Cu that increases the size of hair follicles. (Bossak-Ahmad Karolina, et al., 2020)
- Tightens sagging skin and reverses the thinning of aging skin
- Repairs protective skin barrier proteins
- Improves skin firmness, elasticity and transparency
- Reduces fine lines, reduces wrinkle depth, and improves the structure of aging skin
- Smooth and rough skin
- Reduce light damage, mottled pigmentation and lesions
- Improves overall skin appearance
- Stimulates wound healing
- Protects skin cells from ultraviolet radiation
- Reduces inflammation and free radical damage
- Promotes hair growth and thickness and increases hair follicle size
These properties have made Cu-GHK a lot of attention in the field of anti-aging and hair growth. With more research, Cu-GHK and its derivatives may become the main force of hair growth products in the future, providing more options for those suffering from hair loss.
Collagen peptides for hair growth
In addition to Cu-GHK, other peptides such as sh-polypeptide-1 (bFGF) and sh-polypeptide-9 (VEGF) have also shown anti-alopecia and hair regrowth effects. These peptides are often added to cosmetic formulations to exert their biological activity. bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), as two important growth factors, can promote the proliferation and differentiation of hair follicle cells, enhance the activity of hair follicles, and thus promote hair regrowth. These actives are usually produced in Pichia pastoris by genetic recombination technology, ensuring its high purity and biological activity.
Biotin tripeptide-1 is a tripeptide that binds vitamin H and matrix factor series signaling peptide GHK. It can increase the synthesis of extracellular matrix such as type IV collagen and laminin 5, so as to delay the aging of hair follicles and improve the structure of hair follicles. Activate the expression of tissue repair genes, which is conducive to skin structure reconstruction and repair; Promotes cell proliferation and differentiation and stimulates hair growth.
Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 can maintain the activity of hair follicle stem cells, inhibit 5α reductase, stimulate extracellular matrix renewal, anchor protein synthesis, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Decapeptide-18 (CG-WINT) is a WNT10-derived peptide. It stimulates the formation of hair substrates to produce hair de novo through activated β-catenin signaling, which is a key mechanism for differentiating hair follicle skin stem cells into hair keratinocytes.
Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analogue. At the beginning of the study, it was used as eye drops to control the progression of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. In the course of clinical use, it has been found to have an effect on eyelash growth. Later, it was developed by Allergan as an eyelash growth serum, which became the first FDA-approved drug to stimulate eyelash growth (growth, thickening, darkening).
Myristoyl hexapeptide-16 is a hexapeptide that effectively promotes eyelash and hair growth, which can directly activate keratin genes, resulting in eyelash and hair growth and thickening.
In addition, collagen peptides have also been found to have a positive effect on hair health and growth. Collagen is the main structural protein that makes up skin, hair, and nails, providing essential nutrients and support to hair follicles. By supplementing with collagen peptides, the strength of hair follicles can be enhanced, promoting hair growth and thickness. Like other peptides, collagen peptides are widely used in hair care products to help improve the overall health of the hair.
Summary
Solving the problem of hair loss has always been the focus of both scientists and consumers. With the wide application of peptides in the field of hair growth, more and more studies have shown that these small molecule peptides can effectively promote hair regrowth and have good application prospects. In particular, copper peptide complexes such as Cu-GHK, whose outstanding performance in anti-aging and hair growth have made them popular ingredients in many hair growth products. In the future, with the advancement of science and technology and the development of more clinical studies, peptides are expected to bring more ideal solutions to the problem of hair loss.
If you have any needs or questions about hair growth peptides, Creative Peptides is always welcome to consult you, and we will wholeheartedly provide you with high-quality products and services.
Reference
- Bossak-Ahmad, Karolina, et al., Ternary Cu (II) complex with GHK peptide and cis-urocanic acid as a potential physiologically functional copper chelate. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21.17 (2020): 6190.
