Decapeptide-12 Research and Skin Lightening

A prospective animal study looked at the safety and effectiveness of topical decapeptide-12 in photo-damaged skin and found that it can significantly reduce skin pigmentation. In fact, nearly 40% of the subjects in the study returned to their baseline skin color (100% reduction in pigmentation), and 15% improved from grade 3 to grade 1 photo-damage. Those with the most severe photo-damage (grade 4) only saw moderate improvement to grade 3 after 12 weeks of use. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 100% of patients with melasma experienced statistically significant changes in skin color (photo-damage).

The effect of decapeptide-12 on pigmentation is roughly 17 times stronger than previous treatments, including hydroquinone. Studies on melanocytes cultured for 7 days showed a 27–43% reduction in melanin content. Decapeptide-12 has gone through multiple animal trials and may eventually be included in commercial products for treating hyperpigmentation.