3% / 0.3% / 0.2% / 1.5%

30 grams Cream

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper complex that was first identified in human plasma. Copper peptides are small, naturally occurring protein fragments that have a high affinity for copper ions, which are critical to normal body function. Since its discovery in 1973, GHK-Cu established itself as a powerful protective and regenerative ingredient, which is currently widely used in skin and hair products. It stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, increases collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, as well as supports the function of dermal fibroblasts. It then plays a significant role in signaling tissue remodeling which removes damaged/scarred tissue and generates new, healthy tissue. However, these positive effects decline with age because the concentration of GHK-Cu in the body decreases with age.

South Lake Pharmacy compounds GHK-Cu in a Biopeptide Biocosmetic base specifically designed to help tackle wrinkles once and for all! This advanced phosphate based emulsion system is packed with high concentrations of the two biopeptides palmitoyl tripeptide-3 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-3. This is an elegant cream designed for cosmetic facial use.

Mitigation forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, and in improving lip shape and fullness and the overall appearance of aging skin. These effects did not regress during a 2-week cessation of application.

The key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronic acid (HA) that has a unique capacity in retaining water. There are multiple sites for the control of HA synthesis, deposition, cell and protein association, and degradation, reflecting the complexity of HA metabolism. The enzymes that synthesize or catabolize HA and HA receptors responsible for many of the functions of HA are all multigene families with distinct patterns of tissue expression. Understanding the metabolism of HA in the different layers of the skin and the interactions of HA with other skin components will facilitate the ability to modulate skin moisture in a rational manner.

Up-to-date, it is established that GHK-Cu is able to:

• Tighten loose skin and reverse thinning of aged skin.

• Repair protective skin barrier proteins.

• Improve skin firmness, elasticity, and clarity.

• Reduce fine lines, depth of wrinkles, and improve the structure of aged skin.

• Smooth rough skin

• Reduce photodamage, mottled hyperpigmentation, skin spots, and lesions.

• Improve overall skin appearance.

• Stimulate wound healing.

• Protect skin cells from UV radiation.

• Reduce inflammation and free radical damage.

• Increase hair growth and thickness, enlarge hair follicle size.

After treatment for 6 months, elasticity and firmness of the skin had markedly improved, and the wrinkle depth and pore sizes had decreased by 61 to 100% in both groups. Furthermore, skin moisture had increased and the measurement of wrinkles using skin profilometry, revealed significant, or even highly significant, decreases of wrinkle depth in the estradiol and the estriol groups, respectively. On immunohistochemistry, significant increases of Type III collagen labeling were combined with increased numbers of collagen fibers at the end of the treatment period. As to hormone levels, only those of PRL had increased significantly and no systemic hormonal side effects were noted.

Further Reading:

The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology.

Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging

Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data

Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens.

5%/0.1%/0.5%/0.025%/2%

Minoxidil acts by shortening the telogen phase and thus causing the quiescent hair follicles to enter prematurely into the anagen phase. The shortening of the telogen phase may induce telogen effluvium after the initiation of minoxidil therapy. Also, minoxidil extends the duration of the anagen phase. Lastly, increased hair length and diameter is a clinical effect of minoxidil.  Minoxidil appears to act on the potassium channels of vascular smooth muscles and hair follicles, which may induce the following effects:

• Stimulation of the microcirculation near the hair follicles by inducing arteriolar vasodilation, which may cause hair growth

• Induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression increases vascularization around the hair follicles, thus contributing to hair growth

• Activation of the prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase one which stimulates hair growth   

• Inhibition of androgen effects on the androgen-sensitive hair follicles

• Direct stimulation of the hair follicles: Minoxidil may act as an ‘epidermal growth factor’ on matrix cells delaying their aging, thus prolonging the duration of the anagen phase, via the activation of the beta-catenin pathway

According to the objective assessment of the medical investigators, treatment with the cosmetic melatonin solution resulted in significantly improved hair loss in 59.4% and 66.4% of patients after 30 and 90 days.

The human peptide GHK (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) has multiple biological actions, all of which, according to our current knowledge, appear to be health positive. It stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, increases collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, as well as supports the function of dermal fibroblasts. I increase hair growth and thickness, enlarge hair follicle size.

Topical all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin) alone and in combination with 0.5% minoxidil has been tested for the promotion of hair growth in 56 subjects with androgenetic alopecia. After 1 year, the combination of topical tretinoin with 0.5% minoxidil resulted in terminal hair regrowth in 66% of the subjects studied.

The beneficial effects of topical application of caffeine in AGA can be attributed to inhibition of phosphodiesterase, improvement in barrier function, follicular penetration, stimulation, and promotion of hair growth.  The proposed mechanism which would counteract DHT-induced miniaturization of the hair follicle includes inhibition of phosphodiesterase by caffeine, which increases cAMP levels in cells and therefore promotes proliferation by stimulating cell metabolism.

Caffeine was found to counteract the suppressive effects of testosterone on hair growth, with a higher hair shaft elongation seen at 120 h after caffeine administration, compared to the control group. This in vitro study thus clearly demonstrates that caffeine is a stimulator of human hair growth which may have importance in the treatment of AGA.

Further Reading:

Minoxidil

Topical Melatonin for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data

Topical tretinoin for hair growth promotion

Role of Caffeine in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

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