Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 is a biomimetic peptide that mimics TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta), also known as Folixyl®. It has the sequence Ac-Lys-Gly-His-Lys-NH2 (KGHK), which contains the well-known GHK (Tripeptide-1) motif, and repeats a portion of the SPARC protein (137-140), which is involved in cell growth regulation and interacts with the extracellular matrix and cytokines.
With its ability to stimulate the synthesis of follicle extracellular matrix proteins (Collagen I and III, laminin), Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 helps the renewal of dermal papilla cells and opposes the stiffening of the sheath of the hair follicle that causes hair loss. In addition, KGHK peptide exhibits angiogenic activity.
Tests on human hair follicles showed that Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 stimulates hair growth. Compared with Minoxidil, a reference in hair growth treatment, Folixyl® was superior in terms of the percentage of hair growth after 7 days of treatment.
Folixyl® peptide is specifically designed to alleviate hair-loss symptoms and stimulate hair growth. Later, it was included in the well-known Capixyl®, a peptide-botanical complex that also combines botanicals that promote hair growth.
