Argireline + Leuphasyl

Potential Benefits of Argireline + Leuphasyl

• Achieves smoother, younger-looking skin [1-14]
• Extends the effect of anti-wrinkle injections [15]
• Dramatically reduces wrinkles [16-23]

What is Argireline + Leuphasyl?

As soon as 30 years old, the first signs of wrinkles start to appear. These are known as expression wrinkles or dynamic wrinkles which are linked to repeated muscle contraction. As the name implies, expression wrinkles appear when you use your facial muscles to smile or frown. This in turn causes horizontal frown lines, glabellar lines, Crow’s feet, and other unsightly folds on the skin. Fortunately, people with expression wrinkles do not need to opt for drastic surgical procedures in order to achieve a youthful facial profile. Non-surgical alternative options such as the use of Argireline + Leuphasyl peptide skincare products have been found to be effective against expression wrinkles. This advanced duo of peptides can significantly decrease the depth of wrinkles by 30% in just 1 month.

Argireline, also known as acetyl-hexapeptide-8, is a potent ingredient in anti-wrinkle products. Alternative to topical injections, this powerful peptide helps achieve smoother, radiant, and younger-looking skin without any adverse effects. When applied to the skin, Argireline is effectively absorbed by the body. It exerts its anti-aging effects by causing the facial muscles to contract with less force. This mechanism diminishes the appearance of expression wrinkles, resulting in smoother and healthier skin.

Leuphasyl, also known as pentapeptide-18, is a new pentapeptide designed for the treatment of expression wrinkles. It works by acting through calcium and imitating enkephalins (opioid pentapeptides produced by the central nervous system). As a result, calcium channels are closed and this inhibits the release of the brain chemical known as acetylcholine in the synapse. This mechanism ultimately impairs signals going to the muscles that tell them to contract. Over time, the appearance of expression wrinkles is significantly reduced, resulting in younger skin contour.

How Argireline Works?

Argireline exerts its anti-aging effects by causing the facial muscles to contract with less force. This mechanism diminishes the appearance of expression wrinkles, resulting in smoother and healthier skin.

Chemical Structure of Argireline

How Leuphasyl Works?

Leuphasyl works by acting through calcium and imitating enkephalins (opioid pentapeptides produced by the central nervous system). As a result, calcium channels are closed, inhibiting the release of acetylcholine in the synapse. This mechanism ultimately impairs signals going to the muscles, resulting in lesser contractions. Over time, the appearance of expression wrinkles is significantly reduced, resulting in younger skin contour.

Chemical Structure of Leuphasyl

Research on Argireline

Achieves Smoother, Younger-looking Skin

A number of strong scientific evidence support the beneficial effects of Argireline on skin health:

1. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Scientific Reports found that Argireline is safer and much more effective than Botox in reducing wrinkles. [1]
2. A 2002 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that Argireline administration for 30 days in healthy women volunteers reduced wrinkle depth by up to 30%. [2]
3. A 2007 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science also found that the administration of Argireline ointment reduced age-related skin dryness. [3]
4. Single treatment of Argireline in Chinese subjects was associated with a significant reduction in the depth of the wrinkles. [4]
5. Several studies also reported that Argireline, a hexapeptide, improves skin health by increasing the absorption of water-rich emulsions into the skin. [5-6]
6. A cell study found that Argireline inhibited the formation of a ternary SNARE complex, which in turn decreases wrinkle formation. [7]
7. Studies in human stem cells also found that Argireline reduced wrinkle formation by inhibiting glutamate release. [8-9]
8. In women aged 30–60 years, facial administration of 10% Argireline cream twice daily resulted in a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which in turn prevented the prevalence of dry skin. [10]
9. In patients with abnormal eyelid contraction, Argireline has been found to reduce Blepharospasm Disability Scale (BDS) at 3 months of treatment. [11]
10. In patients with noticeable wrinkles, Argireline treatment was associated with a remarkable reduction in wrinkle size in just 1 month. [12]
11. In Korean females with sun-damaged skin, treatment with microneedle patch containing Argireline resulted in significant improvements in wrinkle and skin hydration. [13]
12. A study found that Argireline works in a very similar way to the botulinum toxin (Botox) in preventing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, which is by impairing signals that aid in muscle contraction (cause of wrinkles). [14]

Extends the Effect of Anti-wrinkle Injections

Injectable botulinum neurotoxin (Botox) is the most common treatment for blepharospasm, an abnormal contraction of the eyelid. This persistent, intermittent eyelid twitching can sometimes lead to forceful eyelid closure which can significantly affect vision and quality of life.

A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Neurology found that hexapeptides such as Argireline can extend the therapeutic effects of Botox injections on blepharospasm. [15] In this study, 24 patients with blepharospasm who received Botox injections for 3 months were given topical hexapeptide and another group received placebo treatment. Interestingly, those who received topical hexapeptide after Botox injection had an average of 3.7 months without symptoms compared to 3 months in the placebo group.

Research on Leuphasyl

Dramatically Reduces Wrinkles

Just like Argireline, Leuphasyl acts to dramatically reduce the appearance of wrinkles by treating the root cause – the muscle responsible for contraction. This anti-wrinkle effect is supported by numerous clinical trials:

1. A 2014 study found that Leuphasyl inhibited neuromuscular synapses, thus reducing muscle contraction in areas of wrinkling such as the eyebrows and around the eyes. [16]
2. A 2009 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that Leuphasyl cream administration in older patients significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles by inhibiting neuronal activity and catecholamine release. [17]
3. Several studies found that the combination of Leuphasyl and Argireline produced a synergistic effect in reducing the depth and appearance of wrinkles. [18-20]
4. In healthy volunteers, the application of Leuphasyl cream was associated with smoother and wrinkle-free skin. [21]
5. Skin application of Leuphasyl cream in patients who received botulinum toxin injections extended the anti-wrinkle benefit of the treatment. [22]
6. A study found that Leuphasyl reduces wrinkle formation by inducing muscle relaxation – a mechanism similar to Botox injection. [23]

Associated Side Effects of Argireline + Leuphasyl

Argireline + Leuphasyl side effects are very uncommon. There have been some side effects associated with the use of this drug wherein the patient had one of the issues listed below at some point while being on Argireline + Leuphasyl. However, these side effects weren’t confirmed to be associated with the treatment and could have been a coincidence and not related to the use of Argireline + Leuphasyl. Despite this, it was listed as a side effect associated with Argireline + Leuphasyl even though these associated side effects are very uncommon.

Side effects associated with Argireline + Leuphasyl may include the following:

• Dry, flaky skin
• Redness
• Stinging sensation

References:

1. Lim SH, Sun Y, Thiruvallur madanagopal T, Rosa V, Kang L. Enhanced Skin Permeation of Anti-wrinkle Peptides via Molecular Modification. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):1596.
2. Blanes-mira C, Clemente J, Jodas G, et al. A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002;24(5):303-10.
3. Ruiz MA, Clares B, Morales ME, Cazalla S, Gallardo V. Preparation and stability of cosmetic formulations with an anti-aging peptide. J Cosmet Sci. 2007;58(2):157-71.
4. Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao S, Pan P, Li P, Huo J. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. American journal of clinical dermatology. 2013; 14(2):147-53.
5. Hoppel M, Reznicek G, Kählig H, Kotisch H, Resch GP, Valenta C. Topical delivery of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from different emulsions: influence of emulsion composition and internal structure. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2015;68:27-35.
6. Kraeling ME, Zhou W, Wang P, Ogunsola OA. In vitro skin penetration of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from a cosmetic formulation. CutanOculToxicol. 2015;34(1):46-52.
7. Niciu MJ, Kelmendi B, Sanacora G. Overview of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in the Nervous System. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 2012;100:656–664. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.08.008.
8. Lipotec ARGIRELINE® peptide – Argireline Technical Report, https://www.lipotec.com/en/products/argireline-reg-peptide/ (2017).
9. Victor AK, Reiter LT. Dental pulp stem cells for the study of neurogenetic disorders. Human molecular genetics. 2017;26:R166–r171. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddx208.
10. Raikou V, Varvaresou A, Panderi I, Papageorgiou E. The efficacy study of the combination of tripeptide-10-citrulline and acetyl hexapeptide-3. A prospective, randomized controlled study. J ClinDermatol. 2017;15:271–278.
11. Available from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT00942851?view=results.
12. Available from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288201888_Evaluation_of_the_anti-wrinkle_efficacy_of_cosmetic_formulations_with_an_anti-aging_peptide_ArgirelineR.
13. Available from https://anndermatol.org/DOIx.php?id=10.5021/ad.2019.31.3.263.
14. Grosicki M, Latacz G, Szopa A, Cukier A, Kieć-Kononowicz K. The study of cellular cytotoxicity of argireline – an anti-aging peptide. Acta Biochim Pol. 2014;61(1):29-32.
15. Lungu C, Considine E, Zahir S, Ponsati B, Arrastia S, Hallett M. Pilot study of topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 in the treatment for blepharospasm in patients receiving botulinum toxin therapy. Eur J Neurol. 2013;20(3):515-8.
16. Available from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307822529_The_Efficiency_and_Safety_of_Leuphasyl-A_Botox-Like_Peptide.
17. Available from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2009.00490.x
18. Available from https://www.academia.edu/32981416/Role_of_topical_peptides_in_preventing_or_treating_aged_skin.
19. Gorouhi, F.; Maibach, H. Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 2009,31, 327–345.
20. Leuphasyl a New Pentapeptide for Expression Wrinkles. Available online: http://docplayer.net/15401907-Leuphasyl-a-new-pentapeptide-for-expression-wrinkles-code-pd080-date-june-2005-revision-1-a-gmppeptide-for-cosmetic-applications.html.
21. Leuphasyl a New Pentapeptide for Expression Wrinkles. Available online: http://docplayer.net/15401907- Leuphasyl-a-new-pentapeptide-for-expression-wrinkles-code-pd080-date-june-2005-revision-1-a-gmppeptide-for-cosmetic-applications.html.
22. Rull, M.; Davi, C.; Cañadas, E.; Almiñana, N.; Delgado, R. Peptide Approach to Enhance Anti-wrinkle Efficacy Between Injections. Available online: http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/category/antiaging/PeptideApproach to-Enhance-Anti-wrinkle-Efficacy-Between-Injections-premium273052431.html.
23. Availabel from https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/1/2/75/htm.