J. Kevin Duplechain, MD, FACS
1103 Kaliste Saloom Road #300
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: (337) 456-3282
Monday–Thursday : 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Friday : 8 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Your Guide to Injectable Peptides: What They Are, What They Do, and Which One Might Be Right for You

Woman touching glowing radiant skin

As we age, many of the body’s natural signals weaken. Growth hormone declines, cellular energy drops, tissue repair slows. Peptide therapy works by reintroducing targeted peptides to support the functions your body is already designed to perform. 

At Laser Skincare of Louisiana, we offer a curated selection of peptide protocols for patients focused on recovery, body composition, skin health, energy, and healthy aging. 

Each peptide targets a different biological pathway, so the right choice depends entirely on what you’re trying to accomplish. Here’s a closer look at the options we offer and who tends to benefit most from each.

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the same building blocks that make up proteins. Your body naturally produces and uses them as signaling molecules, instructing cells to carry out specific functions: repair tissue, release hormones, regulate energy, produce collagen, and more.

As we age, many of these natural signals weaken. Injectable peptide therapy reintroduces targeted peptides to support the functions your body is already designed to perform. Because different peptides act on different biological pathways, they can be matched to very specific goals: body composition, injury recovery, skin health, energy, sleep quality, and more. 

Peptides Available at our Lafayette Med Spa

Sermorelin

Sermorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release the body’s own growth hormone naturally. Growth hormone secretion declines progressively with age, and sermorelin works by restoring the body’s own signaling rather than introducing synthetic hormone directly. Patients commonly report improvements in sleep quality, morning energy, and recovery.

Best for: Adults 35 and older experiencing poor sleep, low energy, slow recovery, or age-related hormone decline. Sermorelin works well as a foundational peptide for patients beginning to think about hormone optimization.

Your body already produces peptides as signaling molecules. Peptide therapy reintroduces targeted versions to support the functions your body is already designed to perform.

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (Strength Support)

CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue that acts on the GHRH receptor in the pituitary. Ipamorelin acts on the separate ghrelin receptor through a distinct pathway. When administered together, they stimulate the two independent receptor systems simultaneously, producing a synergistic growth hormone response that exceeds what either peptide achieves alone. This effect has been documented in endocrinology research going back to the 1990s. The combination supports fat metabolism, lean muscle maintenance, and tissue recovery.

Best for: Patients focused on body composition in their 30s through 60s, particularly those dealing with weight plateaus despite consistent workouts, post-pregnancy or hormonal changes, or patients who want to support skin quality and physical recovery side by side.

Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin

Tesamorelin is a GHRH analogue and the only peptide in this class with full FDA approval, indicated for reducing excess visceral fat—the deep abdominal fat that accumulates around internal organs and is strongly linked to metabolic risk. Its fat-reducing effects have been demonstrated in multiple randomized controlled trials. Paired with Ipamorelin, this combination supports fat reduction while preserving lean mass.

Best for: Adults between 35 and 65 with stubborn abdominal fat concerns and metabolic optimization goals. If your midsection has not responded to lifestyle changes, this is worth discussing at a consultation.

Woman with glowing skin

Wolverine Stack (BPC-157 + TB-500 + MGF)

This combination is built for muscle recovery and connective tissue health. BPC-157 is a 15-amino acid peptide derived from a protein found in gastric juice, studied for its role in supporting tendon, ligament, and soft tissue healing. TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4 that promotes tissue regeneration and helps regulate inflammation throughout the body. MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) supports muscle repair and regeneration. The evidence base for these peptides is primarily preclinical, though they are widely used in supervised clinical settings for recovery support.

Best for: Athletes and active adults between 25 and 55, those dealing with sports-related strains or overuse injuries, patients who recover slowly between workouts, and post-surgical patients looking to support the body’s natural healing process.

“As a nurse who’s worked in facial plastics and dermatology, I highly recommend Lacie at the Laser Skin Care Center. She’s an incredible aesthetician with broad knowledge on all treatments and products. She explains everything thoroughly and makes the process so easy. I am so pleased with my treatment and can’t wait to go back.”
—5-star Google review

GLO Blend (BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu)

This blend brings the tissue-repair properties of BPC-157 and TB-500 together with GHK-Cu, a copper-binding peptide that can stimulate collagen production and help support skin regeneration. GHK-Cu occurs naturally in human plasma but declines with age, and research has documented its role in activating collagen synthesis and improving skin health markers. The protocol addresses healing and skin quality at the same time.

Best for: Patients experiencing post-pregnancy or hormonal body changes, those with weight plateaus despite consistent workouts whose skin tone and elasticity have been affected, and anyone looking for a recovery-focused protocol with meaningful aesthetic benefits. Patients already investing in their skin through microneedling or laser treatments often find the GLO Blend amplifies those results.

MOTS-C

MOTS-C is a peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA that regulates metabolic function and energy utilization at the cellular level. Research has shown that circulating MOTS-C levels decline with age, and studies in both animal models and human observational data point to its role in supporting insulin sensitivity and metabolic homeostasis. Clinical trials in humans are still developing, though interest from longevity and metabolic medicine continues to grow.

Best for: Athletes and active adults around 30 to 60 focused on performance, endurance-driven goals, and long-term metabolic health. Patients with concerns about sustained energy, longevity, and metabolic health support tend to find it a useful part of their wellness protocol.

NAD+

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in every cell of the body, essential for energy production, DNA repair, and cellular function. Research has consistently shown that NAD+ levels drop 40 to 60 percent between early adulthood and older age, contributing to fatigue, cognitive decline, and slower cellular repair. Supplementing with NAD+ can support cellular energy and mental sharpness, and many patients say it’s among the most noticeably impactful additions to their routine.

Best for: Busy professionals in their 30s through 50s dealing with mental fatigue, brain fog, or burnout. Frequent travelers, patients recovering from illness, and anyone whose energy levels have shifted in ways that feel out of proportion to their lifestyle.

What to Know Before You Start

Peptide therapies at our practice are administered as small subcutaneous injections, typically in the abdomen. Most patients find them straightforward to manage, and our team walks you through everything at your consultation.

Timelines vary by peptide and by person. Improvements in sleep and energy are often among the first things patients notice. Body composition changes and structural results generally take longer to develop fully with consistent therapy.

Choosing the Right Protocol

Peptide therapy is highly individual. Two patients with the same goal may need entirely different protocols depending on health history, hormone levels, body composition, and lifestyle. Pairing peptides strategically—a growth hormone peptide alongside a tissue-repair stack, for example—can produce results that a single peptide cannot.

Every peptide patient at our practice starts with a thorough consultation so we can evaluate your goals and recommend a protocol built around your body specifically. For patients already working toward wellness goals with weight loss injections or other nonsurgical treatments, peptide therapy fits naturally into that plan. 

Schedule Your Consultation

Call us at (337) 456-3282 or contact us online to get started. Virtual consultations are available for patients coming from out of town. We serve patients throughout Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and surrounding communities.

References »

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Ishida, J., Saitoh, M., Ebner, N., Springer, J., Anker, S. D., & von Haehling, S. (2020). Growth hormone secretagogues: History, mechanism of action, and clinical development. JCSM Rapid Communications, 3(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1002/rco2.9

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Pickart, L., & Margolina, A. (2018). Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1987. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071987

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Teichman, S. L., Neale, A., Lawrence, B., Gagnon, C., Castaigne, J.-P., & Frohman, L. A. (2006). Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(3), 799–805. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1536

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