Does Copper Peptide Work for Hair Growth?

Those suffering from hair loss or thinning hair have heard endless claims for products and promises that help hair grow. One such ingredient is copper peptide, which is said to inhibit the production of a hormone that promotes hair loss and enlarge hair follicles, encouraging growth.

Copper Peptides

• Copper peptides are groups of proteins, the building blocks of muscles and tissue in the human body, that contain copper. Copper is alleged to have healing abilities, which is why copper peptides are used in anti-inflammatory products for the skin, including antiaging creams and serums, and in formulas designed to promote wound healing. Copper peptides are also widely used in hair products, because they are said to inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main cause of thinning hair, as well as enlarge hair follicles, promoting growth.

How They Work

• The biggest cause of hair thinning and loss is the production of DHT, a naturally occurring hormone, by the hair follicles of the scalp. Copper peptides in hair growth products stop DHT from being produced by inhibiting the chemical reaction that produces it. In addition, copper peptides enlarge the follicles themselves, allowing for the better growth of hair.

Hair Growth Products

• There are literally hundreds of hair growth and care products on the market today, many containing copper peptides. However, the bulk of these products are not FDA approved and may not deliver the results they promise. Those that are FDA approved for sale are Tricomin, Procyte, and Superoxide Dismutase. Most of these products are found in drugstores and can be purchased over the counter.

History

• Loren Pickart, Ph.D., is the biochemist who is given credit for discovering copper peptides while pursuing his doctoral research on ways to reverse the signs of aging at the University of California at San Francisco in the 1970s.

Folligen

• One of the most sought after copper peptides based topical hair treatment is Folligen. Folligen is a non-drug product designed by Dr. Loren Pickart to improve scalp and hair follicle health and hair vitality. Folligen claims to be especially useful in helping to reduce scalp irritation caused by other hair growth products such as prescription minoxidil (Rogaine), retinoic acid (Retin-A) and Propecia.