I’ll be honest: I was resistant to peptides for a long time. I didn’t think we truly understood them well enough yet. As a physician and medical director, I’ve learned that enthusiasm without education is where problems start, and trends come on quickly and fade, or worse, we find out later that safety is a concern. For years, peptides felt like they were living in a gray zone: loosely regulated, inconsistently sourced, and often discussed with more excitement than clinical rigor.
But that landscape is changing, rapidly!
As research expands and clinical protocols become more standardized, peptides are moving out of the fringe and into thoughtful, strategic use across wellness, aesthetics, and longevity medicine. The more we learn, the clearer it becomes: peptides are not a trend, but rather a promising and growing supportive medicine in wellness and longevity.
Biochemist + Esthetician Reviews L+A
Tiffany Underwood, LE and Biochemist
Lipgloss + Aftershave is one of those rare platforms that truly gets our industry. The depth of education they provide is unmatched. It’s thoughtful, relevant, and always evolving alongside the ever-changing world of esthetics. Whether you’re newer to the field or decades in, there is always something to learn, refine, or see from a fresh perspective.
Just one of the aspects that I love about L+A apart is the balance between high-level education and an underlying sense of humor. They remind us that learning doesn’t have to be stiff or intimidating, it can be fun and relatable. That approach makes the content not only easier to absorb, but something you look forward to.
They’re also everywhere, showing up consistently at industry events, conferences, and shows. They are genuinely approachable, friendly, and engaged. You can ask questions, have real conversations, and feel welcomed exactly where you are in your career.
L+A creates space for professionals to grow, think critically, and stay inspired within aesthetics. So honored to know them and to be a part of this incredible community.
What Peptides Are and Why Interest Is Exploding
At their core, peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body. We have long used them in aesthetic medicine topically to nourish and hydrate the skin, but they also have uses as injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and reconstituted and applied topically post procedure. Think of them as messengers telling cells to repair, regenerate, grow, or calm inflammation. Unlike hormones, peptides tend to be more targeted, which is one reason their safety profile can be favorable when used correctly.
Demand for peptides has surged as patients look for solutions that go beyond surface-level aesthetics. They want skin quality, tissue repair, hair density, metabolic support, and preservation of lean muscle, especially as GLP-1 medications become commonplace. In our aesthetic clinics across California, most of our patients come in asking about peptides as they can support beauty and wellness overall; we want to be the reliable and safe source, especially as patients will find them online or from questionable sources.
Dr. Chantal Lunderville’s Three Go-To Peptides (and Why)
While there are many peptides on the market, three stand out in our practices for their versatility, emerging data, and real-world clinical outcomes:
H3 GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
This is a cornerstone peptide for skin and hair. GHK-Cu has been shown to support collagen synthesis, improve skin elasticity, reduce inflammation, and stimulate hair follicles. We like to use it topically, as it can be reconstituted and applied post-procedure after microneedling, or injected in a superficial fashion of the face and hair. It works great as an add-on to take home and inject as well after aesthetic procedures to enhance healing and results; used systemically, it supports tissue repair and anti-inflammatory pathways, making it perfect post laser or microneedling.
H3 BPC-157
Often referred to as a “body protection compound,” BPC-157 has gained attention for its role in soft tissue repair, gut integrity, and recovery from injury. Clinically, it’s often used systemically or locally to support healing—particularly in active patients, post-procedure recovery, or those experiencing chronic inflammation.
H3 TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment)
TB-500 is frequently discussed alongside BPC-157 for musculoskeletal support. It plays a role in cellular migration and tissue regeneration and is commonly used systemically to support muscle recovery and repair. We love it for our GLP-1 patients who want to preserve lean mass while losing weight and can be offered in conjunction with a membership or wellness package along with your GLPs.
Our trusted FDA green listed pharmacy provides a combination of all 3 of these peptides together that we also use topically or for injection.
Peptides as an Adjunct to GLP-1 Therapy
As GLP-1 medications reshape metabolic care, we’re also seeing new challenges emerge—most notably muscle loss, skin laxity, and hair shedding.
This is where peptides can serve as a powerful adjunct:
- Supporting muscle preservation and recovery
- Improving skin quality and elasticity
- Promoting hair growth and follicle signaling
- Enhancing overall tissue resilience during weight loss
Rather than competing with GLP-1 therapy, peptides can help complete the picture—supporting aesthetics and wellness simultaneously.
How Peptides Fit Into an Existing Aesthetic Menu
One of the biggest misconceptions is that peptides require an entirely new business model. In reality, they integrate beautifully into existing offerings:
- As post-procedure recovery support
- Within skin quality and hair restoration programs
- As part of wellness memberships or longevity protocols
- Alongside injectables, lasers, and body treatments
Safety, Sourcing, and Clinical Responsibility
This is where you can really stand out as a practice and need to practice with integrity. Finding the most responsibly sourced peptides is important as well to distinguish yourself within the field by prioritizing patient safety. Many providers themselves do not know how to source peptides ethically and responsibly.
Peptides must be:
- Sourced from FDA green-listed, licensed compounding pharmacies. Our pharmacy is not a compound pharmacy they are FDA greenlisted.
- Intended for clinical, not “experimental.”
- Prescribed using established protocols
- Monitored with appropriate follow-up and documentation
- Covered by your insurance, be sure to check your malpractice that peptides and longevity medicine are not listed as an “exclusion,” which is common.
Cutting corners here is not only unethical, it’s dangerous. The variability in peptide quality on the market is real, and improper sourcing or dosing undermines both patient safety and the credibility of this entire category.
And of course, state-specific guidelines for prescribing and sourcing must always be followed. What’s permissible in one state may not be in another, and it is the provider’s responsibility to know the difference.
Final Thoughts
My shift from skepticism to advocacy didn’t happen overnight. It came from education, clinical experience, and seeing how thoughtfully used peptides can support both aesthetic outcomes and whole-body wellness.
If you’d like support with launching peptides in your practice, from sourcing and protocols to integration and patient education, you can check out my Patreon for deeper guidance or book a call with me directly.
As always, lead with integrity, stay within your scope, and let science—not hype—drive your decisions.
Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical + Wellness Editor
Dr. Chantal Lunderville is a board-certified physician specializing in skin health, aesthetic medicine, and Women’s health. She attended medical school at UCLA School of Medicine, followed by a residency at UCSF Family Medicine, and on graduating opened her own concierge aesthetics practice in the San Francisco Bay Area focusing on hormone health, skincare, and longevity.
Since then Dr. Lunderville has grown her practice to include overseeing nurses and aestheticians as medical director to over 15 practices across California, and through Dr. C’s Academy helps to launch new practices across the US and Canada through consulting and online courses in business, compliance, aesthetic procedures including neurotoxin, fillers, lasers, microneedling, and lasers. Read Full Bio