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If you search for health and beauty treatments online, you’ve probably heard about the latest trend — peptide therapy. Many influencers and celebrities claim peptides make their skin look younger and smoother. Others say peptides help build muscle and heal injuries quickly.

Manufacturers tout the addition of peptides in many products, from moisturizers and serums to dietary supplements.

But are peptides safe? And how exactly do they work? Let’s look at the benefits and risks of peptide therapy for skin and muscle.

What Are Peptides?

A peptide is a small string of molecules called amino acids. You may have heard amino acids referred to as the building blocks of protein.

Proteins are long chains of more than 50 acids. Peptides are simply shorter strings of amino acids — between two and 50.

Natural Peptides

Your body naturally makes thousands of peptides. These amino acid chains have many functions, such as:

• Allowing your organs to work efficiently.
• Helping regulate hormones.
• Promoting healing.

You can also get peptides from foods you eat, like dairy, meat, eggs, soy, and beans. Basically, any source of protein is also a source of peptides.

Because peptides are smaller than proteins, the body may break them down more easily. They can then enter the bloodstream more quickly and potentially boost the body’s healing process. For years, scientists have studied the ways peptides can help treat diseases and injuries.

Synthetic Peptides

The peptides people are talking about online are synthetic, or man-made, peptides. Peptide therapy takes many forms in different types of products. Synthetic peptides are in face creams, dietary supplements, and injections.

Peptide therapy has many U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medical uses. For instance, insulin for diabetics is a peptide that’s been on the market for years. Doctors use certain types of peptides to treat other conditions, including HIV, chronic pain, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes treatment are peptide injections. These include brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Synthetic peptides for skin

In recent years, people have started using peptides to improve the look and feel of their skin. You can buy many over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products that have peptides in their list of ingredients.

Peptides may help calm inflammation, a common cause of age-related skin damage. They may also help your skin look smoother and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging. Collagen and elastin peptides are among the most popular additives in skin care products. What they are and why people use them are as follows:

• Collagen — A protein found in your hair, skin, and nails. Some studies show that taking collagen peptide supplements can help delay wrinkles and other signs of aging in skin. Collagen injections are popular treatments for rejuvenating and plumping older skin.
• Elastin — A protein that allows skin to stretch and return to its original state. As you get older, your skin loses elastin, leading to wrinkles, dryness, and sagging. Sun damage, smoking, and diabetes can contribute to the breakdown of elastin in your skin.

Synthetic peptides for healing and muscle strength

Peptide therapy may also help with muscle repair, but it’s a controversial subject. That’s because certain peptides boost production of the human growth hormone (HGH). Doctors prescribe these for children with growth issues, adults with HIV, and a few other health conditions.

However, many people take peptides illegally as performance enhancers. This practice is risky because it may increase your body’s blood sugar and reduce your body’s sensitivity to insulin. Long-term use may even lead to health problems like cancer and diabetes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, many professional sports leagues, and the U.S. Department of Defense have all banned HGH supplements.

FAQs About Peptides

Are peptides safe?

Many products with peptides, especially skin care creams and moisturizers, have been on the market for years. But there are some safety concerns with peptide therapy for wellness. In some cases, peptide therapy can cause allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, and other side effects.

Though many peptides show promise to improve your skin, muscles, or healing, most haven’t undergone rigorous testing for human use. Doctors agree that peptide therapy has potential in many areas, but more research is necessary.

Should I ask my doctor about peptide use?

It’s important to have medical supervision for peptide therapy treatments. Many peptide products haven’t undergone thorough testing for long-term safety.

Your doctor can give you advice on which products are safe to use. There are often other ways to achieve the same goals in skin care or overall health.

Is peptide therapy FDA-approved for anti-aging?

No, the FDA hasn’t approved peptide therapy for your skin. That’s because it’s available for sale as a dietary supplement, not a drug.

The FDA doesn’t require proof of safety or effectiveness for dietary supplements. The responsibility for that falls on the manufacturer.

Your best bet is to ask a dermatologist for recommendations about using peptides for skin care.  They can tell you the best options for your skin and steer you away from wasting money on products that don’t work.

Are peptides the best way to keep your skin healthy?

Though peptide products may improve your overall skin health, they aren’t the only way to keep signs of aging at bay. Doctors still recommend the tried-and-true basics for healthy skin.

Bonus: You don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy skin care products to have healthy skin. You can:

• Consider less costly skin care products like retinoids and hyaluronic acid.
• Keep your skin protected from the sun’s damaging rays with hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves. Stay out of the sun when possible.
• See a dermatologist to discuss your skin care regimen.
• Use a gentle cleanser on your face in the morning and evening.
• Use moisturizer every day.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher every time you go outside.