THE SCIENCE BEHIND THERADERM CLINICAL SKIN CARE

What Causes an Aging Appearance?

Sunlight is the biggest cause of visible signs of skin aging because UV rays damage our cells every day. Oxidative stress from sunlight causes injury, which leads to inflammation and the creation of heat-shock proteins. The result is daily, incremental and cumulative damage that leads to aging appearance. Our skin is subjected to movement and hormonal fluctuations as we age. This leads to dryer skin that begins to show pigment irregularities due to the decreased rate of cell turnover and creases (wrinkles/lines) in skin.

The Aging Process Occurs Because:

• Skin cells are constantly being copied and divided to replace old cells with new cells

• Over time, daughter cells begin to look different due to cumulative damage from oxidizing sunlight exposure

• Surface cells become dry as UV damage depletes the moisture barrier and allows water to evaporate

• UV exposure/damage causes harmful free radicals, leading to thin skin, wrinkles, pigment spots or even skin cancers

The Importance of Exfoliation

Natural exfoliation, shedding surface skin cells, slows as we age. The result is a loose, thick layer of dead skin cells on the surface. Over time, this layer becomes rough and reflects a dull color. This can lead to uneven texture, irregular pigmentation and early wrinkles. Removing this layer of dead skin cells results in a younger, brighter complexion and helps prevent the appearance of signs we associate with the aging process.

Chronic Inflammation Cycle

Statistics: Epidermal surface cell turnover time is 2-3 weeks in a pre-teen child. Cell turnover increases to about 8-12 weeks for complete surface cell turnover after age 65.

Anti-Aging Focus

Energy injuries cause inflammation that starts immune responses, cell signaling and the release of transcription factors. This all sets off the cyclic creation of harmful free radicals. UV exposure and normal cell metabolism occur daily and cause incremental cumulative damage to DNA, cell structure, collagen and elastin. Scientists call this Oxidative Stress.

Lactic Acid

The use of lactic acid in Theraderm products dates back to 1988. It was used on aging skin to exfoliate and rejuvenate. The application of Theraderm Fruit Acid (lactic acid) as part of a daily skin care routine exfoliates dry, outer-layers of skin and stimulates the natural growth of new cells. Lactic acid has been proven to be the most studied regulator of our human immune system.

• Lactic acid uses normal enzyme sequences to exfoliate. It is nonirritating to the skin.

• It is the primary regulator of the immune system. It increases critical T-cell proliferation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to combat skin cancer formation.

• Lactic acid is manufactured commercially by the fermentation of molasses. 

• Using lactic acid provides a minimum chance for hyperpigmentation and hypertrophic scars. 

• It has proven to be an effective humectant (attracts water molecules). 

• Lactic acid enhances absorption of other substances (e.g. lanolin, moisturizer and vitamin C).

• It directly stimulates fibroblast production of new collagen.

Biomimetic Peptides

Peptides are the off-on switches for controlling every chemical reaction in the body. There are an estimated 18 million different peptides necessary for normal body activity and metabolism.

Soluble Keratin Peptides are natural amino acid template proteins covered by 31 different patents for medical, wound-healing properties. They are only available to Therapon Skin Health for use in topical skin care products.

Matrixyl® is an anti-aging peptide with the ability to help repair damage-prone papillary dermis, which is immensely affected by photoaging. Papillary fibroblasts are fundamental to promote epidermal morphogenesis and wound healing with collagen production. That is why papillary dermis repair can deliver visible anti-wrinkle benefits. Matrixyl® use may delay photoaging by 5.5 years.

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is marketed under the trade name Argireline®. It acts as a neurotransmitter derived from natural proteins. These peptides limit the muscle contraction of repetitive facial movements to mimic the effects of botulinum toxin A, or Botox®. Acetyl hexapeptide-8 has no negative side effects, as it only weakens the wrinkle-causing muscle activity during its continued use.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide is an ingredient in Theraderm’s Lip Complex, is a fairly new peptide. It is being researched as the next best thing to retinol, without any side effects. Its main function is to restructure cutaneous tissues. Palmitoyl oligopeptide has been shown to induce collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and glucosaminoglycan production for smoother, wrinkle free skin.

Bioactive Ingredients

Traditional skin care products repair damage from an injury after it has already become permanent. We believe being proactive can minimize an injury and reverse inflammation. Therapon Skin Health has discovered a breakthrough, patent-pending solution for impending daily injuries that have left visible damage in aging appearance over a lifetime of sun exposure.

We leverage our research with the finest ingredients available to create an easy-to-use, daily skin care regimen. Our ultimate goal is for skin to stay healthy and look younger.

Gene Expression and Signaling Factor Properties

Lactic acid has been studied for its major role in gene expression for cellular protection from inflammation and for its proven involvement with natural signaling factors. The enzyme Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a critical player in making energy available for all cellular chemical reactions. The metabolism of glucose and the reversible redox mechanism for transformation of pyruvate to lactic acid could not be completed without LDH.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation occurs when alpha hydroxyl acids stimulate the release of dead surface skin cells. Lactic acid exfoliates effectively and gently, where other products are harsh. This increase in cell turnover rate causes skin to look younger and increases new collagen formation. Lactic acid is normally present in every human cell, so there is no toxicity with topical application.

Free Radical Protection

Oxidative stress and free radicals harm skin matrix and cellular components, resulting in permanent damage. Vitamin C functions as a free radical scavenger and serves as the necessary factor for repair, or creation, of collagen. But it cannot simultaneously hold a captured free radical and be able to repair or build new DNA, collagen and elastic fiber.

Theraderm’s Skin Renewal System has Potent Ingredients to Diminish Free Radicals.

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) are the most powerful free radical scavenging antioxidants. OPC molecules are 20 times more effective as scavengers than vitamin C. They enhance the speed of collagen repair by assisting vitamin C. OPC decreases the need for oral or topical vitamin C by recharging spent vitamin C that captured a free radical.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid is an excellent free radical scavenger with the unique ability to pass easily through lipid membranes or mix in water-based environments. It acts easily in the mitochondria inside cells, in tissue spaces, or in the bloodstream. Alpha-Lipoic Acid is an important component in the energy production process in all cells. It’s a coenzyme that assists in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coA. Acetyl-coA is the beginning point for the Krebs cycle, one of the body’s main energy production cycles, which produces the high-energy molecule ATP.

Where Skin Healing Meets Skin Care

Theraderm was founded by Dr. James Beckman, a plastic surgeon and biochemist, whose early work with graft and burn patients demonstrated how the principles of wound healing could be applied to skincare. His formulations were designed to restore skin function while supporting its natural repair mechanisms—establishing the medical foundation that drives the brand today.

Building on this heritage, Theraderm continues to advance with clinically validated ingredients and protocols that deliver measurable improvements in texture, tone, and firmness. Each formulation is developed to work synergistically with the skin’s renewal pathways—optimizing barrier integrity, collagen support, and visible rejuvenation.

Today, Theraderm remains committed to physician-grade innovation: translating decades of medical insight into modern skincare solutions that achieve consistent, professional-level results for patients and consumers.