The Effects of NVUS' Bio-Active Peptides on Collagen

A study at the World Congress of Dermatology in Paris revealed that wrinkle reduction by almost 50% is possible with the help of peptides. The study further demonstrated that peptides helped to decrease wrinkles much faster than the ingredient retinol.

To understand how the peptide technology in NVUS creams works to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, it is very important to understand the role of collagen in the body.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen is the substance that holds the whole body together and accounts for approximately one-fifth of the body's mass. In our skin, collagen is one of the critical proteins that provides strength, structural support and elasticity. It forms up to 70% of the protein content of our skin. Through aging and environmental factors (such as sunlight, consumption of sugar and smoking) collagen production in the skin diminishes and existing collagen degrades. This results in wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and sagging of the skin.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids which are the building blocks of collagen. In fact, when collagen degrades, it degrades into its constituent peptides. The peptides in NVUS creams have been clinically proven to increase collagen production. These peptides send a biological "signal" to the body that collagen is breaking down in order to stimulate the body to produce more of it. The stimulation of collagen production through these bio-active peptides for wrinkle reduction is considered far more effective than the the topical application of products containing collagen itself because collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed transdermally (through the skin).

Peptides have no known side effects and their collagen producing effects are enhanced by their additional functions that:

• promote the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid, which are critical to attracting and retaining moisture in the skin
• stimulate capillary functions and repair for optimal blood flow to the skin

The Effects of NVUS' Bio-Active Peptides on Other Critical Skin Proteins

Like collagen, elastin, laminins, and intergrins play a key role in the integrity of our skin as we age.

Elastin is an important protein in connective tissue that is responsible for giving structure to the skin. Elastin allows your skin to resume shape after stretching or contracting. The classic "pinch test", in which you pinch your skin and see how long it takes for your skin to return to its resting shape, reveals the effect of elastin depletion as a result of aging. The slower the "snap back" to a resting state, the lower the tensile strength.

Laminins are proteins that form the matrix between skin cells (the extracellular matrix). The extracellular matrix helps to give support, firmness, and suppleness to the skin. Laminins are also a major component of the biologically active basement membrane of skin cells (the basal lamina). The basal lamina plays an important role in the permeability of nutrients into skin cells.

Integrins are proteins found in the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). These proteins maintain and reinforce the strength of the skin by facilitating adhesion of skin cells to each other. In addition to this structural role, integrins play a crucial role in skin permeability.

NVUS Awareness creams employ up to seven bio-active peptides that are clinically proven to stimulate the production of elastin, laminins, and integrins while also inhibiting their degradation due to aging and environmental damage.