From the Research
BPC-157 is not well absorbed through the skin with topical application, and its effectiveness is largely dependent on other routes of administration such as subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, or oral consumption via specially formulated stable versions. The compound is a synthetic peptide consisting of 15 amino acids with a relatively large molecular weight, which makes it difficult to penetrate the skin barrier effectively 1. For this reason, BPC-157 is typically administered through other routes such as subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, or oral consumption via specially formulated stable versions. The skin's outer layer (stratum corneum) serves as a protective barrier designed to keep large molecules like peptides from entering the body, and BPC-157's size and chemical properties prevent it from crossing this barrier in meaningful therapeutic concentrations.
Some studies have investigated the topical application of BPC-157, including its effects on wound healing in animal models. For example, a study published in 2001 found that topical application of BPC-157 improved burn-wound healing in mice 2. However, this study does not provide direct evidence of the absorption of BPC-157 through the skin. Another study published in 2021 reviewed the use of BPC-157 in wound healing and found that it has practical applicability in various types of wounds, but it does not specifically address the issue of skin absorption 1.
Other studies have also explored the effects of BPC-157 on wound healing, including a study published in 2005 that found that topical treatment with BPC-157 improved CO2 laser healing in mice 3, and a study published in 2015 that found that BPC-157 accelerated wound closure and improved granulation tissue formation in a rat model of alkali burn 4. However, these studies do not provide conclusive evidence of the absorption of BPC-157 through the skin.
In contrast, a study published in 2010 found that BPC-157 improved ligament healing in rats when given intraperitoneally, per-orally, or topically, but the topical application was not found to be as effective as the other routes of administration 5.
Overall, while some studies suggest that BPC-157 may have beneficial effects on wound healing when applied topically, the evidence is limited and inconclusive, and the most effective route of administration for BPC-157 is likely to be through injection or oral consumption rather than topical application. If you're considering using BPC-157 for healing purposes, injectable or oral forms would likely provide better bioavailability than topical application.