Ascend: the looksmaxxing forum

Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Some are proven skincare ingredients or real prescription drugs. Many sold online are unapproved “research chemicals” with unknown purity. Ascend explains what each one is and what the evidence says, but we never give doses or sources for unapproved peptides. Talk to a doctor before taking anything. Under 18: skip anything prescribed or injected.

Skincare peptides (on the skin)

Applied in serums and creams. The lowest-risk way people use peptides.

GHK-Cu (topical)

Over the counter

Copper tripeptide-1, copper peptides

Used for: Firmness, smoother texture, wound healing; also marketed for hair.
Evidence: Moderate Lab and small human studies show collagen and healing effects; big trials are lacking.
Risks: Mild irritation. Don't layer with strong acids or vitamin C in the same routine.

Matrixyl

Over the counter

Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4

Used for: Softening fine lines.
Evidence: Weak–moderate Small, often company-funded trials show modest wrinkle improvement over 8–12 weeks.
Risks: Very low.

Matrixyl 3000

Over the counter

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + tetrapeptide-7

Used for: Fine lines and firmness.
Evidence: Weak–moderate Similar small trials to Matrixyl.
Risks: Very low.

Argireline

Over the counter

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (or -3)

Used for: Expression lines; sold as “Botox in a bottle”.
Evidence: Weak Slight smoothing in small studies. Nowhere near real Botox.
Risks: Very low.

SNAP-8

Over the counter

Acetyl octapeptide-3

Used for: Expression lines, like Argireline.
Evidence: Weak Mostly manufacturer data.
Risks: Very low.

Copper peptides for hair

Over the counter

AHK-Cu, GHK-Cu scalp serums

Used for: Thicker hair.
Evidence: Weak Mostly lab work. Use minoxidil or finasteride for proven results.
Risks: Scalp irritation.

Oral peptides

Taken by mouth.

Collagen peptides

Supplement

Hydrolyzed collagen

Used for: Skin hydration and elasticity; joints.
Evidence: Moderate Reviews of trials show modest skin improvements over 8–12 weeks. Many trials are industry-funded.
Risks: Low. Quality varies by brand; choose third-party-tested products.

Glutathione (oral)

Supplement

A tripeptide antioxidant

Used for: Sold for skin brightening.
Evidence: Weak Small, mixed studies. Injectable “skin-whitening” glutathione has drawn FDA warnings.
Risks: Oral is low risk. Injections carry real risks; skip them.

Prescription peptides (approved)

Real medicines. Only use them through a doctor, from a licensed pharmacy.

Semaglutide

FDA-approved (prescription)

Ozempic, Wegovy (GLP-1)

Used for: Weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Average loss around 15% in trials.
Evidence: Strong Large trials and years of real-world use.
Risks: Nausea, constipation, muscle loss without protein and lifting, rare pancreatitis and gallbladder issues. Fast facial fat loss can look gaunt (“Ozempic face”).

Tirzepatide

FDA-approved (prescription)

Mounjaro, Zepbound (GIP/GLP-1)

Used for: Weight loss and diabetes. Average loss around 20% in trials.
Evidence: Strong Large trials.
Risks: Similar to semaglutide.

Liraglutide

FDA-approved (prescription)

Saxenda, Victoza

Used for: Weight loss (older, daily injection).
Evidence: Strong Large trials; less weight loss than newer options.
Risks: Nausea; similar class risks.

Tesamorelin

FDA-approved (prescription)

Egrifta

Used for: Approved only to reduce belly fat in people with HIV-related lipodystrophy. Used off-label for fat loss.
Evidence: Moderate Proven for its approved use; not a weight-loss drug.
Risks: Joint pain, swelling, higher blood sugar; long-term heart safety not established.

Bremelanotide

FDA-approved (prescription)

PT-141, Vyleesi

Used for: Approved for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. Used off-label for libido.
Evidence: Moderate Proven for its approved use.
Risks: Nausea, flushing, raised blood pressure, and dark skin patches on the face and gums that may be permanent.

Afamelanotide

FDA-approved (prescription)

Scenesse (relative of Melanotan I)

Used for: Approved implant for a rare light-sensitivity disease (EPP). Not approved for tanning.
Evidence: Strong Proven for its approved use only.
Risks: Nausea, darkened moles and freckles.

Elamipretide

Approved for one rare use

SS-31, Forzinity

Used for: Approved in 2025 only for Barth syndrome, a rare genetic disease. Sold online as a “mitochondria” anti-aging peptide.
Evidence: Weak No evidence for looks or anti-aging in healthy people.
Risks: Injection-site reactions; grey-market versions have unknown purity.

Sermorelin

Not approved for people

GHRH analog

Used for: Raising growth hormone. Was once approved for children's GH deficiency, then discontinued in the US; now compounded.
Evidence: Weak Old pediatric data; little evidence for adults chasing looks.
Risks: Injection reactions, headaches; unclear long-term effects.

Investigational

In clinical trials, not approved yet.

Retatrutide

Investigational

Triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon)

Used for: Weight loss. Trials show around 28% average loss.
Evidence: Strong (trials) Phase 3 results are strong, but it isn't approved; filing is expected around 2027.
Risks: Anything sold now is unregulated “research” product with unknown contents. Wait for the real thing.

Unapproved “research” peptides

Sold online “for research only”. None are approved for human use, their FDA compounding status has shifted repeatedly since 2023, and vials often contain the wrong dose, impurities or bacteria. Many are banned in tested sports.

BPC-157

Not approved for people

Body Protection Compound

Used for: Healing tendons, gut and injuries.
Evidence: Animal only Strong animal results; only a few tiny human studies.
Risks: Unknown long-term effects, possible effects on blood-vessel growth, contamination.

TB-500

Not approved for people

Thymosin beta-4 fragment

Used for: Injury recovery and flexibility.
Evidence: Animal only Animal and lab data only.
Risks: Unknown in humans; banned in sport.

CJC-1295

Not approved for people

With or without DAC

Used for: Raising growth hormone for fat loss, skin and recovery.
Evidence: Weak Small studies show it raises GH and IGF-1; no proof of looks benefits.
Risks: Water retention, numbness, higher blood sugar, unknown long-term risks.

Ipamorelin

Not approved for people

GH secretagogue

Used for: Raising growth hormone, often stacked with CJC-1295.
Evidence: Weak Very little human data.
Risks: Similar to CJC-1295.

GHRP-2 / GHRP-6

Not approved for people

GH-releasing peptides

Used for: Growth hormone release.
Evidence: Weak Older small studies.
Risks: Big appetite increase (GHRP-6), raised cortisol and prolactin.

Hexarelin

Not approved for people

GH-releasing peptide

Used for: Growth hormone release.
Evidence: Weak Small studies; effect fades with use.
Risks: Raised cortisol and prolactin.

MK-677

Not approved for people

Ibutamoren (a pill, not a peptide, but sold alongside them)

Used for: Raising growth hormone, sleep, muscle.
Evidence: Weak Raises GH and IGF-1 in studies; no proof of better looks.
Risks: Hunger, water retention, higher blood sugar and insulin resistance; heart-failure concerns in a trial of older adults.

AOD-9604

Not approved for people

Growth hormone fragment 177–191

Used for: Fat loss.
Evidence: None Failed to beat placebo for weight loss in human trials.
Risks: Unknown; you're paying for something that didn't work.

Melanotan II

Not approved for people

MT2, “Barbie drug”

Used for: Tanning, appetite and libido.
Evidence: Weak It darkens skin, but it's never been approved for that.
Risks: Nausea, new or changing moles, and health agencies warn of a possible melanoma link. Avoid.

Melanotan I

Not approved for people

MT1

Used for: Tanning.
Evidence: Weak Only approved as afamelanotide for a rare disease.
Risks: Nausea, darker moles.

IGF-1 LR3

Not approved for people

Long-acting IGF-1

Used for: Muscle growth.
Evidence: None No human evidence for this use.
Risks: Low blood sugar, organ growth concerns; banned in sport.

Epitalon

Not approved for people

Epithalon

Used for: Anti-aging, “telomeres”, sleep.
Evidence: None Claims come mostly from one lab group; no solid human trials.
Risks: Unknown.

MOTS-c

Not approved for people

Mitochondrial peptide

Used for: Metabolism and fat loss.
Evidence: Animal only Animal studies only.
Risks: Unknown in humans.

KPV

Not approved for people

Alpha-MSH fragment

Used for: Inflammation, skin and gut.
Evidence: Animal only Lab and animal data.
Risks: Unknown.

LL-37

Not approved for people

Cathelicidin

Used for: Infections and wound healing.
Evidence: Lab only Lab data only.
Risks: Unknown; can promote inflammation.

DSIP

Not approved for people

Delta sleep-inducing peptide

Used for: Sleep.
Evidence: Weak Old, inconsistent studies.
Risks: Unknown.

Selank / Semax

Approved abroad only

Nasal nootropic peptides

Used for: Anxiety and focus.
Evidence: Weak Approved in Russia; little research elsewhere.
Risks: Unknown long-term effects.

Thymosin alpha-1

Approved abroad only

Zadaxin

Used for: Immune support.
Evidence: Moderate Approved for some infections in other countries; not for looks.
Risks: Injection reactions.

Follistatin

Not approved for people

Myostatin blocker

Used for: Muscle growth.
Evidence: Lab only No human evidence for this use.
Risks: Unknown.

Kisspeptin

Not approved for people

Reproductive hormone peptide

Used for: Testosterone and libido.
Evidence: Weak Research use in fertility studies.
Risks: Hormone disruption.

Dihexa

Not approved for people

Nootropic peptide

Used for: Memory and focus.
Evidence: Lab only Animal data only.
Risks: Possible cancer-growth concerns from how it works; unknown.

GHK-Cu (injected)

Not approved for people

Copper peptide injections

Used for: Skin and hair from the inside.
Evidence: None No good human data for injecting it.
Risks: Injection risks; the topical form is the safer option.

39 peptides. Status is for the U.S. as of 2026 and can change. Evidence ratings summarize published research, not forum anecdotes.