an important aspect of the method of the present invention is that a suitable peptide is selected depending upon which receptor should be affected or stimulated . by changing the type of peptide used , different receptors will be affected . another important and surprising discovery of the present invention is that the method pin - points exactly the parts of the skin that should be treated and preserved because short - chain amino acids , such as peptides , act only upon specific receptors , which in turn narrows down the natural reaction . to obtain the optimal effect it is of outmost importance to balance the peptides in specific and accurate compositions that affect the correct receptors and improve the overall skin . for example , a surprising discovery is that tripeptides act upon and stimulate the elastin receptors together with melibiose and fucose - mannose catalysts disposed on the cell membranes and the added oligosaccharides ( fucose ) acts even upon the cell membranes . peptides are made of short chains of amino acids which are in different from proteins that have long chains of amino acids . in the body , peptides regulate the activity of other molecules such as proteins . this regulation is achieved by the interaction of the peptide with the target molecule i . e . the molecule to be treated . peptides have many functions and some can have hormonal activity and other antibiotic functions . as indicated above , the dermis contains fibroplasts which synthesize an interstitial tissue such as ecm that is composed of several compounds . ecm includes collagen , with two main proteins ( i & amp ; iii ) which make up the system of fibers that gives the skin its strength . it also includes elastin , a protein fiber with a molecular structure that allows for stretching and tension , and makes the skin supple . ecm further includes laminin , a binding protein located at the junction of the dermis and epidermis , which acts in the interaction of the cell / matrix . it also includes fibronectin , which belongs to the same category and is involved in the healing and homeostasis of the skin . deterioration of the mechanical properties of ageing skin is a consequence of ecm atrophy . in order to prevent premature ageing of the skin it is of outmost importance to maintain the integrity of its matrix . it has been discovered that peptides may be used to repair skin defects . more particularly , it was surprisingly discovered that a cream that contains tripeptide - 1 participates in tissue repair and restarts extra cellular matrix renewal . fibroplastine contributes to the repair of micro - injuries to the skin . it regenerates the skin that has been damaged from normal ageing or the environment due to damage to the dermis . more particularly , it was surprisingly discovered that peptide could be combined with a suitable natural yeast / sugar substance to further reduce the degradation process . an important feature of the method of the present invention is to directly affect the receptors . there are several receptors involved in the communications between the skin cells and the ecm . integrins are specific receptors that affect the aging process of the skin . elastic receptor with laminin receptors may be directly disturbed due to age - related factors and therefore release more damaging free radicals . this leads to a degradation of elastin . additionally , fibronectin degradation is directly linked to elastin degradation . more particularly , about 10 ppm tripeptide - 1 in a liter of a solution of 10 % oligosaccharides , that may be derived from a yeast such as saccharomyces cerevisiae and fucose - mannose , may be used to reduce or even prevent the degradation of fibronectine . the composition also induces the syntheses of collagen protein and the production of fibronectin that in turn produces elastin . the composition also induces the production of laminin which is an amino acid that builds up fibronectin . the oligosaccharides solution is mainly used because it protects and strengthens the cell membrane that in turn protects the receptors that are located at and around the cell membrane . when the cell membrane is damaged then the receptors are often damaged too . by applying a composition of the tripeptide - 1 and saccharides solution , the user may see an improvement of the skin in just a couple of days . it may be possible to use from about 0 . 1 ppm tripeptide - 1 to up to about 20 ppm tripeptide - 1 . preferably , about 7 - 13 ppm tripeptide - 1 should be used . it may also be possible to use 1 % oligosaccharides and up to 30 % oligosaccharides solution . preferably , between about 5 - 15 % of oligosaccharides solution should be used . a peptide composition of the present invention may also be used for protecting the skin against discoloration and from harmful sun light . melanin is a pigment that gives the color of the skin . the amount of melanin produced is the basis of the skin pigmentation . melanocytes are the cells that are producing melanin and are located at the basal layer of the skin . melanotropin ( or alpha - msh ) is the hormone that stimulates the melanocytes to produce melanin . the main purpose of melanin is to protect the skin from the dangers of uva / uvb . the melanin pigment is the most natural protection of the skin . the natural color of the skin is the indication of the level of the skin &# 39 ; s own natural defense and depends upon the type of melanin , eumelanin or phaeomelanin and the quantity of melanin that exists in the skin . melanin is the substance that has the broadest uv spectrum and , both by its own action and during its synthesis , it consumes free radicals presented in the cells . melanin is synthesized from one amino acid called tyrosine . it is then oxidized to dopa ( dihydroxy - phenyl - alanine ) and then to dopaquinone due to the action of a specific enzyme called tyrosinase . in this way , two different melanin substances may be produced . melanin is synthesized inside the melanosomes located inside the melanocytes . the melanosomes are transported into the keratinocytes ( skin cells ) where melanin is delivered directly inside the skin cells . while inside the skin cells the melanin may be totally degraded in some humans such as white and red haired humans . these complex syntheses may not only explain the mechanism of photo protection but also the process related to age spots or brown spots . when hyperactivity of melanocytes occurs , melanin production becomes out of control . this may be due to over - exposure to sun , age , genetic factors , etc . the results are increased skin pigmentation in some part of the skin and remain the same in other parts of the skin due to malfunctioning of the proper natural degradation . therefore , age spots or brown spots are visible . it was surprisingly discovered that a combination of peptide and carotene provides an excellent protection against harmful sunlight by ensuring a steady regular and evenly distributed production of melanin . more particularly , a solution of 0 . 05 mg / ml of acetyl hexapeptide - 1 blended into 0 . 1 mg / ml beta - carotene solution is the base on a sun protection cream of the present invention . the acetyl hexapeptide - 1 ensures that the right amount of melanin is produced so that not too much melanin is produced that creates dark spots . it also prevents too little melanin from being produced in the skin which is harmful due to reduced protection against sun light . the above composition is based upon the acetyl hexapeptide - 1 which is a biomimetic peptide . when this peptide is applied topically it stimulates melanogenesis but does not have an overall systemic effect . the composition also acts on the melanocyte by stimulating the mc - 1r receptor and inducing endocellular synthesis of tyrosinase . langerhatine raises the level of permanent protection against uv . its natural stimulation action on melanogenesis makes the composition the ideal sun preparation product and suntan prolonging care . as indicated above , peptides may also be used to treat spots on the skin . sun exposure without protection will inevitably produce brown spots or age spots on the skin . these spots are named lentigines and increase in number with age . this phenomenon is explained as a result of a hyper activity of the melanocytes that abnormally synthesize melanin . the melanotropine ( alpha - msh ) biological factor of melanogenese stimulation , acts by reacting upon a specific receptor located on the surface of the melanocyte . the peptide nonapeptide - 1 used is an antagonist biomimetic reverse peptide which blocks the alpha - msh and its effects . moreover , by acting only upon a receptor located only on the membrane of the cell , melanosine does not influence any cell activity thus its physiological function . as explained above , the ecm is the interstitial tissue that connects the cells and structures the skin . in the dermis , it is composed of collagen fibers associated with elastin fibers and this combination gives the skin its strength and suppleness . with age , repeated exposures to the sun lead to troubles collectively known as actinic ageing , one of the effects of which is elastosis or flabbiness . this is characterized by an accumulation of degraded elastin in the dermis . the enzymes responsible for this breakdown are proteases , often metallo - proteases . these include elastases , the cellular production of which is strongly increased by exposure to solar radiation . it was surprisingly discovered that peptides may also be used to reduce the elastosis . more particularly , the peptide trifluoracetyl tripeptide - 2 is a biomimetic peptide that inhibits elastases with a great accuracy . by inhibiting the breakdown of elastin and cutaneous proteins , keratosine efficiently combats the premature ageing of the skin and balance the adverse effects of sun exposure . to preserve the skin from pollution , uva / uvb and weather , the skin forms it s own protective barrier than can be disturbed due to the use of inappropriate skin care products . this barrier is located primarily in the outmost dermis layer . the dermis is built with skin cells called keratinocytes . not only do these cells protect the skin but they are also of utmost important as a communication link with the underlying epidermis where among other things the immune cells , such as langerhans cells , are located . therefore , the healthy keratinocytes are basic for a healthy young looking skin . keratinocytes also have the ability to glue together the dermis to the epidermis . from the age of about thirty , our keratinocytes start losing their ability to stick to the dermo - epidermal junction . the degradation of keratinocytes leads to a weakening of this characteristic . this is one of the factors that communications between the dermis and epidermis do not function optimally . as a result , the skin looses its firmness and become grayish since the cells lose contact with blood capillaries that nourish them . therefore , age factors and sun exposure are slowing down the renewal effectiveness of keratinocytes that leads to a degradation of the skin appearance . more particularly , keratinocytes produce keratins , the mechanical properties of which provide the skin &# 39 ; s first physical barrier . by secreting intercellular communication factor , these same cells also condition the environmental balance of the other components of the epidermis , including langerhans cells which provide the first immunological barrier . the slowing down of keratinocytes renewal that occurs as skin ages disturbs both the physical and immunological barriers . it was surprisingly discovered that peptides acts directly on the keratinocytes . more particularly , acetyl tetrapeptide - 2 acts directly upon the cytokine of the keratinocytes . an effective composition is acetyl tetrapeptide - 2 at a concentration of 0 . 01 mg / ml of serilesine and a solution of synthetic hexa - peptide from laminin at a concentration of 0 . 05 mg / ml are blended into a cream to repair age degradation of the skin . serilesine is included in laminin amino acids that are used for building cells . the acetyl tetrapeptide - 2 regulates the cytokine hormone secretion so that the cell building is indirectly affected by affecting the hormones of the cell . the cytokine is a growth hormone that not only stimulates keratinocytes but also langerhans cells . because the cytokine hormone affects the production of langerhans cells , it is useful as a day cream when the skin needs a good immune system the most . in this way , both the production of the immune cells and the cell building are stimulated at the same time . the peptide , acetyl tetrapeptide - 2 , is a biomimetic of the cell maturation factors produced by the thymus . oxytosine acts topically on the keratinocytes , inducing endocellular synthesis of paracrine and autocrone mediators . oxytosine then stimulates the production of gm - csf ( granulocyte macrophage - colony stimulating factor ) by the keratinocytes . this cytokine stimulates not only keratinocytes renewal but also langerhans cell maturation and improves the epidermis profile and stimulates the skin immune system . the peptide system of the present invention may also be used on the skin around the eyes . the skin around the eyes is very delicate . it is the thinnest area of the body . this is also where the first lines appear . furthermore , poor blood circulation in this area results in poor skin condition caused by less intake of oxygen . adding uv exposure further leads to wrinkles and puffiness . to reverse these factors , an eye cream should have a primary function of awakening the natural micro - circulation and provide a renewal in oxygenation of the particular area without irritating the area . it was surprisingly discovered that peptide in combination with a soy protein are effective . more particularly , 0 . 10 mg / ml lymphocyte activating peptide ( cas 120484 - 65 - 3 ) blended into a solution of 5 % hydrolyzed rice bran protein glycine soy ( soybean ) protein oxido - reductase is very effective . one important function of the lymph substances is to discharge waste products from the skin . when the lymph substances are not functioning well it is common to swell and get puffy eyes . the stimulation of the lymph flow is therefor desirable . the lymphocyte activating peptide provides this stimulation . the soybean refines , softens and opens up the lymph passages and capillaries to make it easier for the lymph to flow in the skin area around the eyes . about 0 . 05 - 0 . 15 mg / ml lymphocyte activating peptide is preferably used in the above - described soy bean solution of between 3 - 10 %. the method use of applying the peptide on the skin is important . on a perfectly cleansed skin , a small amount of the peptide composition is applied . the composition is upwardly vibrated in order to induce the peptides into the skin . the vibrations are very important due to the fact that vibrations produce a slight heating reaction and allow the peptides to quickly penetrate into the skin without being reduced . peptides are often very active and sometimes volatile and should be applied right away to maintain the effectiveness . furthermore , vibrations are generating a slight decollation or transverse movement of the epidermis that is necessary in order to preserve the proper quality of the peptides when applied . it is undesirable to apply a pressure on the skin to deform the skin because that makes the penetration of the peptides more difficult . the entire procedure of application should not last more than a few seconds . in the eye area when vibrations are difficult to achieve , light tapping on the skin is used to apply the peptide - based eye cream . under no circumstances should usual massage be used in order to apply the products since this deforms the skin and does not induce the proper penetration process . while the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments , it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims .
the method is for treating skin . a peptide is selected that affects a receptor so that the receptor is receptive to the peptide . the selected peptide is dissolved in a solution to form a peptide solution . the skin is vibrated to generate heat without reducing the peptide in the peptide solution . the peptide solution is applied to the skin . the peptide solution increases an operational activity of the receptor in the skin .