Are you wondering if peptides can help with hair loss? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about using research peptides to combat hair thinning and balding.
Hair loss is a common issue that affects many people. Whether it’s due to genetics, hormones, stress, nutrition, or autoimmunity, losing hair can be distressing and frustrating. That’s why many people are interested in peptides for hair growth.
Peptides are natural or synthetic compounds that consist of short chains of amino acids. Amino acids are often called the “building blocks of protein,” but proteins are usually much longer than peptides. Peptides can have anywhere from two to 50 amino acids in their structure.
Peptides have many important roles in the body, such as forming cells, tissues, and muscles. They also have specific functions, such as signaling other cells or acting as hormones. The body produces some peptides and also gets some from food sources.
Peptides are also used to make powerful drugs for various conditions.
Researchers are very interested in the potential of peptides for various purposes, such as muscle growth and repair, weight loss, wound healing, skin care, anti-aging, and more.
How Peptides Promote Hair Growth
To understand how peptides promote hair growth, we need to first understand how hair grows. The human scalp has thousands of hair follicles, which are the structures that produce individual hairs or hair shafts. Each follicle can only grow one hair shaft at a time.
The hair shaft is attached to the follicle by the cuticle layer, which is found inside the follicle.
Each follicle on the scalp goes through different phases of hair growth:
Anagen: This is the active growth phase, when the follicle produces new cells called keratocytes that form the hair shaft.
Catogen: This is the transition phase that occurs after the hair shaft stops growing. If many hairs enter this phase at once, it can cause temporary hair thinning.
Telogen: This is the resting phase of the follicle, when the hair shaft detaches from the cuticle and falls out. Normally, 10-15% of follicles on the scalp are in this phase at any given time. However, there are several factors that can trigger more hairs to enter this phase at once, such as rapid weight loss, illness, or childbirth.
Peptides are involved in every step of this process naturally, as they send chemical signals that regulate the hair growth phases. However, research shows that therapeutic peptides can also support hair growth by strengthening the cells involved, improving hair thickness, improving cuticle strength and reducing hair shedding.
Does Peptide Therapy for Hair Growth Really Work?
So, can therapeutic peptides really help hair grow longer, thicker, and fuller?
Yes!
There is a lot of research to support the use of therapeutic peptides for hair growth, especially since peptides are generally safe and have few side effects.
Below, we will discuss some key peptides for hair growth. But first, here are some ways that peptide therapy may help with some of the most common causes of hair loss:
Telogen effluvium: This is a temporary hair loss condition caused by a higher proportion of follicles in the telogen phase. It usually occurs about three months after a stressful event, but it usually resolves on its own. Collagen peptides may be especially helpful for this condition.
Male pattern baldness: This is a genetic condition caused by high levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which shrinks the follicles and causes them to produce thinner and shorter hairs. It is also known as androgenic alopecia. Peptide therapy may have similar effects as some of the well-known treatments for this condition, such as minoxidil and finasteride.
Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune condition that causes patches of hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body. Peptide therapy may also stimulate hair growth in this condition.
Best Peptides for Hair Growth
Some of the best peptides for hair growth are CJC-1295, GHRP-2 and BPC-157.
Here is more information about each peptide and how it may benefit hair growth.
- CJC-1295
CJC-1295 is a peptide that was originally developed to treat a fat storage disorder called lipodystrophy that can affect people with HIV. However, clinical trials on this peptide were stopped after one participant died due to an unrelated cause.
Still, many researchers are curious about the other potential benefits of CJC-1295, such as enhancing exercise performance and protecting the brain.
Because it stimulates the production of growth hormone, it may help promote new hair growth by supporting the formation of healthy new skin and hair cells.
- GHRP-2
Growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) is a peptide that stimulates the release of growth hormone. There are many other peptides that have similar effects, such as CJC-1295 above.
Most researchers are interested in these peptides for their potential effects on body composition.
However, because GHRP-2 can stimulate the growth and development of new cells, it may help with hair growth by improving the health of the scalp and follicles, as well as the production of healthy keratinocytes.
- BPC-157
BPC-157 is a peptide that comes from a compound found in the lining of the stomach (Body Protection Compound). It helps to protect the digestive tract from the effects of stomach acid. Although there is not much human research on this peptide specifically for hair growth, this peptide is known to increase blood flow and blood vessel formation.
This could indirectly lead to increased hair growth. Additionally, because it also has wound healing properties, BPC-157 may be able to support a healthy scalp.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of any injectable peptide are related to the injection method itself. These can include irritation, swelling, bruising, or pain at the injection site.
Here are some of the more specific side effects that have been reported for the hair growth peptides we recommend:
CJC-1295: Side effects of CJC-1295 include hives, nausea, anxiety, flu-like symptoms, irritability, and headaches. It is also important to note that one person died during a CJC-1295 trial, but it was determined that the death was not related to CJC-1295 administration.
GHRP-2: GHRP-2 may increase appetite.
BPC-157: Some possible side effects reported by independent researchers include gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.
Other Factors…
Remember, also, that lifestyle and stress levels can also have a big impact on hair health. These are important factors to consider when conducting independent peptide research on hair loss.
Chronic, systemic inflammation, in particular, may contribute to many different kinds of hair loss. The effectiveness of all of the peptides on our list may be greatly improved if systemic inflammation is also addressed.
One of the most effective ways to reduce systemic inflammation is through diet and nutrition changes. These include reducing intake of added sugar and ultra-processed food, while increasing intake of nutrient and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and healthy fat sources such as olive oil, salmon, and avocado.
Adequate sleep (at least seven hours per night for most adults), regular exercise, and reduced stress levels are also key for reducing chronic, systemic inflammation.
Peptides and Hair – Final Words
Peptides can be powerful agents for reversing hair loss. The peptides on our list have shown various effects such as promoting scalp health, strengthening the hair follicles, and encouraging the growth of longer, thicker, and healthier hair.
Some of the most promising peptides for hair loss research include CJC-1295, GHRP-2 and BPC-157.
Start your hair growth research today with these amazing compounds!