Decapeptide-12 is a peptide made of twelve amino acids. Its sequence is: Tyr-Arg-Ser-Aar-Lysd-Tyr-Ser-Ser-Trp-Tyr. Decapeptide 12 is mainly known for its ability to inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity, which is accountable for producing melanin in the skin.
Decapeptide 12 connects to tyrosinase and prevents it from catalyzing the oxidation of phenols – the initial step in melanin creation.
According to studies, tyrosinase can differ a lot in structure across different species. In mice, differences of tyrosinase determine skin color and are the product of modifications in the TYR gene.
Much research on decapeptide12 centers around its skin-lightening effects.
An animal study[i] investigating the safety and efficacy of topical decapeptide-12 in photodamage discovered that the peptide reduced skin pigmentation significantly. The results showed that approximately 40% of test subjects in the study achieved a 100% reduction in hyperpigmentation following 12 weeks.
Meanwhile, 15% of the subjects moved from grade 3 photodamage to grade 1. As for those with grade 4 photodamage (the most severe form), they experienced only slight improvement to grade 3 after the treatment period.
In another study, 100% of mice suffering from melasma saw a drastic change in their skin after decapeptide-12 treatment.
Research shows[ii] that decapeptide 12 is around 17 times more powerful than previous treatments for hyperpigmentation.
While the decapeptide 12 studies continue, it is not yet included in commercial skincare products for hyperpigmentation. With more extensive research, decapeptide-12 for sale over the counter should be a possibility.
Skin lightening is not bleaching skin but fading out undesirable blemishes by inhibiting melanin. Unlike skin whitening, this process offers a positive function besides obtaining a lighter complexion. To fully understand what skin lightening is, let’s take a closer look at what hyperpigmentation actually is.
The skin has many different layers, one of which is called the basal layer. In this layer, there exists a cell known as a melanocyte, which is responsible for moving melanosomes – the cells that contain pigment and give skin its color. Within the melanocyte cell is the tyrosinase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of melanin. When this enzyme overproduces melanin, that is when hyperpigmentation occurs.
Skin lightening therapy like decapeptide-12 reduces pigmentation, eliminates blemishes, lightens discoloration, and evens out skin tone.
Best of all, it can be done through the treatment of decapeptide 12, which targets hyperpigmentation from breakouts and bruising as well as discolorations like age spots. Lightening creams reduce the melanin pigmentation in the skin and result in an overall clearer complexion.
Skin whitening is the process of giving a skin tone lighter than natural skin color. The problem is most skin whitening treatments involve chemicals that are often dangerous and painful. According to scientists, skin whitening side effects are potentially dangerous and could lead to some unwanted long-term effects.
Decapeptide-12, for instance, is a natural skin-lightening product with no dangerous side effects. It is one of the most innovative products for research today.
While skin whitening involves making the skin three to four tones whiter than the natural tone, skin brightening is basically retaining natural skin color. In other words, it eliminates blemishes and hyperpigmentation from skin so that they are left with a radiant complexion, as research in animals has shown.
Clinical trials show that there are a number of Decapeptide-12 skincare benefits, one of which is its skin tone-lightening results. Unfortunately, decapeptide 12 is not currently available to purchase for consumption due to the lack of clinical trials. However, you can purchase it for research purposes.
In due time, scientists do believe that decapeptide-12 will play an important role in the skincare industry thanks to its potent brightening effects.