Can Peptides Help with Hair Loss? What Dermatologists Say

If you consider yourself to be in the know in the skin care world, you’re likely already familiar with Research peptides. According to experts, peptides are involved in collagen production and the health of your skin barrier, so they can be a helpful addition to nearly anyone’s routine.

However, recently, they’ve gained some attention for their potential ability to help those with thinning hair. And considering that hair loss is a frustrating issue that many people deal with (it’s estimated that around one-third of women deal with it), whenever we hear about a potential solution, our ears always perk up.

But, of course, we have to hear from the experts first. That’s why we tapped two top dermatologists to give us the lowdown on whether peptides may be the secret to thicker, more voluminous hair.

What are peptides?

“Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as cellular messengers in the body,” Dr. Jenna Queller, a board-certified and founder of DermWorks in Boca Raton, Florida says. In skin and hair care, peptides signal your cells to perform certain functions, like “repairing damage, reducing inflammation, or supporting healthy growth cycles,” she adds.

What do peptides do for your hair?

“Topical peptides help hydrate the scalp and reduce inflammation,” says Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, Texas.

Queller shares that they primarily support the health of the hair follicle. “They can help improve the scalp’s environment, strengthen the hair shaft, reduce inflammation around follicles, and signal pathways involved in hair growth.”

Can peptides help with hair growth?

Short answer: Sort of. While they won’t work to help regrow hair the way a scientifically-proven remedy like, say, prescription medications or minoxidil will, there still could be a benefit.

Because of their ability to hydrate and generally create a healthier scalp overall, they can create an environment where your follicles are more active, your circulation is boosted and hair growth phases are longer, says Houshmand, therefore leading to improved growth.

Of course, you’ll only see the potential benefits if you use the ingredient consistently. And Queller says that peptides can be particularly helpful for those with early thinning or hair shedding, rather than hair loss.

However, there are different types of peptides, and not all of them will give you the best results when it comes to improving hair health overall. That’s why Queller says that you should look for the following (and it’s even better when they’re used in combination). “Together, these peptides support the hair growth cycle, improve follicle health, and enhance the look of fullness and thickness—particularly in early thinning or diffuse shedding.”

• Copper peptides: The most well-known peptides, Queller says “they help strengthen follicles, encourage blood flow and support thicker, healthier hair growth.”
• Signal peptides: Common examples of signal peptides are palmitoyl tetrapeptide-20 and acetyl tetrapeptide-3. Queller says, “[They] are designed to boost keratin production, helping hair shafts become stronger and fuller.”
• Biomimetic anti-inflammatory peptides and glutathione-linked peptides: “[These] work to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the scalp, creating a healthier environment that can prevent further shedding,” Queller shares.

As an added bonus, Houshmand says that “peptides are safe for many patients,” so there’s not really any harm in trying them out. Though, as always, if you experience itching or irritation, you should speak with your dermatologist.

Source : https://www.today.com/shop/peptides-hair-growth-rcna257475