Do Peptides Work for Acne Scars?
Acne scars leave many people looking for ways to smooth their skin. Peptides, which are short chains of amino acids, show promise in helping with this. They work by supporting skin repair and boosting collagen, a protein that fills in pitted or uneven areas.
Skin naturally makes collagen to heal wounds, but acne scars disrupt this process. Peptides signal cells called fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin. This can thicken skin tissue and reduce the depth of scars over time. For example, copper peptides like GHK-Cu speed up wound healing, fight inflammation, and improve texture. They are often used as creams for spot treatments on scars, blemishes, or stretch marks.
Other peptides, such as those in mesotherapy treatments, get injected into the skin. These combine with ingredients like PDRN or exosomes to regenerate tissue and fill shallow to medium pitted scars. Products with BPC-157 promote deep healing and reduce swelling, making them useful after procedures like microneedling. Blends like GLOW, which mix BPC-157, TB-500, and GHK-Cu, target both internal repair and outer skin firmness.
Topical peptides also help maintain results from scar treatments. They pair well with retinoids, vitamin C, and niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent scars from looking worse as skin ages. Users apply them once a day on clean skin, sometimes after gentle exfoliation with hydroxy acids to reach deeper layers.
Results take time, often 3 to 6 months of consistent use. Stronger formulas work best as spot treatments, rubbed in for 5 to 10 seconds. Always test on a small area first to avoid irritation. While peptides aid recovery, they shine most when combined with sunscreen and professional care to protect new skin growth.
Sources
https://doctoracnes.com/en/mesotherapy-treatments-at-doctor-acnes/
https://www.london-dermatology-centre.co.uk/blog/acne-scar-recurrence-maintenance/
https://drchernoff.com/non-surgical/body-treatments/peptides
https://www.platinumskincare.com/copper-super-cop-2x/
https://shi.org/injectable-scar-treatments/
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/acne/best-scar-healing-ingredients-your-complete-guide
