In sexual & aesthetic wellness, SS-31 (elamipretide) is best positioned as a mitochondrial support adjunct: a way to bolster cellular energy, reduce oxidative stress, and protect high-demand tissues like skin and muscle as patients pursue visible, healthy aging. By targeting the root bioenergetic drag that accumulates with age, SS-31 complements sleep, nutrition, UV/skin-barrier practices, and exercise rather than replacing them.
How it works: SS-31 is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that selectively binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilizing cristae, improving electron-transport efficiency, and lowering ROS. These effects can normalize bioenergetics and support mitophagy and membrane dynamics—core levers behind tissue resilience, recovery, and youthful skin architecture.
What the evidence shows: Clinically, elamipretide just received FDA accelerated approval (Sept 19, 2025) as Forzinity for Barth syndrome, a primary mitochondrial disease—marking the first FDA-approved therapy for a mitochondrial disorder and underscoring the platform’s relevance to human disease. Outside Barth syndrome, human data are emerging: ophthalmic/AMD studies indicate safety with exploratory functional signals, and preclinical/translation work in tafazzin-deficient and cardiac models shows restoration of mitochondrial structure and function. Skin research continues to tie mitochondrial decline to accelerated skin aging, supporting an aesthetic rationale while larger trials mature.
Regulatory & clinical stance: For Barth syndrome, elamipretide is FDA-approved; for aesthetic/skin or general longevity uses, it is not. If considered off-label in research-oriented programs, use quality-verified product, obtain informed consent, and track objective outcomes (recovery metrics, skin elasticity/texture measures, patient-reported energy) while keeping foundational lifestyle care central.