Pentapeptide-18 vs Thymosin Beta-4
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Skin & CosmeticAnti-Aging & Longevity
Pentapeptide-18Recovery & RepairAnti-Aging & Longevity
Thymosin Beta-4- Summary
- Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl) is a synthetic pentapeptide that mimics the sequence of enkephalin, an endogenous neuropeptide. It acts on neuronal pain receptors in facial muscles to reduce muscle contraction intensity and depth of expression lines, functioning similarly to Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) but via a different receptor mechanism.
- Thymosin Beta-4 is an endogenous 43-amino acid peptide that is the primary intracellular actin sequestering peptide. It promotes tissue repair, reduces inflammation, regenerates hair follicles, and protects cardiac tissue. Closely related to TB-500 (the active fragment), it is used for systemic tissue recovery and anti-aging.
- Half-Life
- Not applicable (topical)
- Not well characterized; likely similar to TB-500 (~1–2 hours)
- Admin Route
- Topical
- SubQ, IM
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.005–0.05% in formulation
- 5–10 mg
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- 2x per week (loading), then 1x per week (maintenance)
- Key Benefits
- Reduces depth of expression lines (forehead, crow's feet, glabellar)
- Inhibits acetylcholine release for muscle-relaxing effect
- Complementary mechanism to Argireline for enhanced anti-wrinkle activity
- Reversible and well-tolerated
- No risk of systemic paralysis at cosmetic concentrations
- Suitable for daily use in serums and creams
- Systemic tissue repair and regeneration
- Promotes cardiac recovery after myocardial infarction
- Hair follicle regeneration and anti-hair-loss
- Anti-inflammatory (systemic)
- Wound healing acceleration
- Neuroprotection after brain injury
- Protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury
- Anti-aging at cellular level
- Synergizes powerfully with BPC-157
- Side Effects
- Generally very well-tolerated topically
- Rare skin sensitivity or mild irritation
- Theoretical opioid receptor desensitization with very prolonged high-dose use (not documented cosmetically)
- Generally very well tolerated
- Injection site reactions
- Mild fatigue at initiation (repair signaling)
- Rare: mild inflammatory response
- +1 more
- Stacks With
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