Argireline
Argireline, or acetyl hexapeptide-3, ia a unique peptide that reduces the degree of existing facial wrinkles and inhibits the develpment of new ones by modulating facial muscle contraction. In short, it addresses the lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. It targets the same wrinkle formation as Botulinim toxin but in a very different way.
When the nerves in the face are stimulated, they release a chemical messenger, called a neurotransmitter, that instructs the muscle to contract. The neurotransmitters are contained in vesicles at the end of the nerve cell. In order for the neurotransmitter to be released to the muscle, a protein on the vesicle,(VAMP), must link to a protein on the nerve membrane (Syntaxin). This can only be accomplished with the aid of a connector protein (SNAP-25). Once these proteins have linked together to form what is called a SNARE complex, the nerve cell is able to discharge the chemical messenger and cause the muscle response.
Argireline works by competing for position with the SNAP-25 connector protein. When it is present in the SNARE complex rather than SNAP-25, the complex is slightly destabilized and the vesicles can not release the neurotransmitters efficiently. As a result muscle contraction is weakened, preventing the formation of lines and wrinkles.
Argireline is effective at reducing the depth of wrinkles on the face that are the result of repeated contraction of the muscles of facial expression, particularly in the forehead and around the eyes. It is a safer, cheaper, and milder alternative to invasive Botulinim toxin injections. A list of skin care products that incorporate Argireline as an ingredient are: