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Morning + night Matrixyl split with BPC-157 oral for a pulled calf

Posted by runner_aaron in Protocols & Stacks - 8 points, 4 comments.

Howzit. So I tweaked my left calf about 3 weeks back, nothing dramatic, just a Grade 1 strain that flares when I run hills. I've been on oral BPC-157 for the past 10 days, roughly the 500mcg range split AM and PM, and the ache is definitely settling down faster than my usual RICE routine would. Could be placebo, could be coincidence, but the trend is there for me.

What I want to add is a topical Matrixyl serum (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, the original KTTKS one) on the area too, mornings and evenings after the gym shower. My thinking is the BPC handles the systemic healing signal and the Matrixyl just gives the skin and superficial fascia a collagen nudge while the deeper fibres knit back.

Anyone running a similar stack? Curious if the twice-daily topical timing clashes with the BPC-157 oral window or if I should just keep them 30 min apart. Also, do you apply Matrixyl before or after moisturiser, tbh I never know.

Comments

  • weekendnate: Oral BPC plus a topical Matrixyl sounds reasonable on paper, they work on pretty different layers so I wouldn't expect them to fight each other. I split mine about 30 min apart just to be safe, more out of habit than anything I've actually measured. For Matrixyl I apply to damp skin right after the shower, then moisturiser over the top. Going over the moisturizer always felt like it sealed it in better, but who knows. Three weeks on a Grade 1 calf strain is also right in the normal recovery win
  • runner_aaron: Good shout on the 30 min gap, that's basically what I was thinking too, just nice to hear someone else doing the same without it being overkill. Damp skin first then moisteriser on top makes sense, I'll try that order from tonight and see if it sits better. Tbh yeah, the 3 week window thing is fair, could just be the strain running its course. I'm planning easy 2km jogs on the flat from next week, no hills for another 2 weeks after that, then build back slow. Anything you'd shift in that timeli
  • grinder265: Ngl thats a good call on the damp skin application, i never thought about that one. I was just slapping it on dry after i got out and wondering why it didnt seem to absorb as well. Ill try that and the 30 min offset makes sense too, more for absorption than any real interaction concern. Return to running im probably doing walk run intervals starting next week, nothing crazy, just easing back into flat terrain first before i even think about hills again.
  • runner_aaron: Lekker, glad the damp skin tip helps, tbh it's the small stuff that makes a difference. Walk-run on flat first is smart, I'll do the same and skip hills for another couple weeks at least. Did you notice the Matrixyl serum itself sting at all on freshly washed skin? Mine goes on fine but I get a mild tingle for a minute.

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