ABSTRACT
Skin rejuvenation is the result of multiple cellular processes. To activate them requires multiple targets throughout the skin, all of which require different stimuli. For instance, the cytokines and peptides that act on the extracellular matrix to convince a senescent fibroblast to produce new collagen are different than those capable of inducing an atrophic epithelial cell to hypertrophy. The biochemical research surrounding the use of botulinum toxins has greatly expanded our knowledge of how these molecules work and the mechanisms of action for the various subtypes of botulinum toxin are now well-categorized. Company-led studies have been performed and confirm efficacy in reducing muscle contraction and reducing wrinkle size both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, muscle contractions were reduced 71% within one minute after treatment and 58% two hours later. Despite comparisons to botulinum toxin, no neurotransmitter-affecting cosmeceutical peptide to date has been shown to have the same activity in a published clinical trial.
