Peptide Therapy in Norman, OK with Heather Franco, APRN
What are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — your body’s own signaling molecules. They tell cells what to do: release growth hormone, repair tissue, regulate appetite, support immunity, build collagen. Insulin is a peptide. Oxytocin is a peptide. There are thousands of peptides naturally occurring in the body, each with a specific job.
Therapeutic peptide protocols use targeted peptides at therapeutic doses to amplify what the body already does — but at lower levels as we age, train hard, recover from illness or surgery, or lose weight. Peptides differ from broad-spectrum supplements because they target a specific receptor or pathway. They differ from synthetic pharmaceuticals because they work with the body’s own systems rather than overriding them.
At Franco Aesthetics, peptide therapy is medical, not retail. Every protocol starts with Heather reviewing your goals, symptoms, and labs. Peptides are prescribed individually or as a stack based on what you’re actually trying to address — recovery and lean mass, sleep depth, skin and hair, gut health, libido, or weight-loss support that protects muscle.
Quality matters here. Peptides are dose-sensitive and source-sensitive. We prescribe from regulated 503A compounding pharmacies — not the internet “research peptide” market that has no quality control and no clinical oversight.
How Peptide Therapy Works at Franco Aesthetics
Peptides are targeted, not blunt. Each peptide binds to a specific receptor and triggers a downstream cell response — release growth hormone, repair gut lining, stimulate collagen, dampen inflammation, raise libido. That is why peptide protocols are built around your goal, not built from a single off-the-shelf vial.
Most patients run one or two peptides, not all of them. Heather builds the protocol around the goal and adjusts based on response, labs, and what you actually feel month to month.
Our Peptide Menu
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a peptide that stimulates your pituitary gland to naturally produce and release more human growth hormone (HGH). Rather than introducing synthetic hormones into your body, it works with your own system to restore HGH levels that decline with age. The result? Better sleep, increased energy, improved body composition, faster recovery, and sharper mental clarity — all through your body’s natural processes.
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a more targeted growth hormone-releasing peptide, clinically recognized for its ability to reduce stubborn visceral fat — the deep abdominal fat that’s notoriously difficult to lose through diet and exercise alone. It works by prompting the body to release growth hormone in a natural, pulsatile rhythm, supporting fat metabolism, lean muscle preservation, and improved metabolic health. A powerful option for those focused on body recomposition and long-term wellness.
NAD+
(Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body — and it’s essential for life. It fuels your cells’ energy production, supports DNA repair, and plays a key role in how you age. The problem is, NAD+ levels drop significantly as we get older, contributing to fatigue, brain fog, slower recovery, and metabolic decline. Replenishing NAD+ helps restore cellular energy, sharpen focus, boost metabolism, and support your body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate.
Glow Stack (GHK + BPC + TB-500)
The Glow Stack combines three of the most researched regenerative peptides into one powerful protocol.
- GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is a naturally occurring peptide that declines with age. It’s known for stimulating collagen and elastin production, improving skin firmness and tone, promoting hair growth, and supporting tissue repair throughout the body. It’s the “glow” in the stack.
- BPC-157 is often called the “body protection compound” for good reason. It’s a gut-healing, tissue-repairing peptide that accelerates recovery from injury, reduces inflammation, supports joint health, and even promotes gut lining repair — which has a ripple effect on overall health and immunity.
- TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) is a peptide naturally produced in the thymus that plays a central role in healing and regeneration. It promotes new blood vessel formation, reduces inflammation, and speeds up recovery from muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries — making it a favorite for both athletes and anyone dealing with chronic pain or slow-healing injuries.
Together, the Glow Stack supports your body from the inside out — healing, restoring, and rebuilding at a cellular level while giving your skin, hair, and connective tissue a visible boost.
Selank
Selank is a powerful nootropic peptide known for its anti-anxiety, mood-stabilizing, and cognitive-enhancing effects. Designed to support mental clarity and emotional balance, Selank works by modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
This peptide is ideal for individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, brain fog, or focus issues—without the side effects commonly associated with traditional medications.
Key Benefits:
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Enhances focus and mental clarity
- Supports mood stability
- Non-sedating and non-addictive
PT-141
SEO Description:
PT-141 (also known as Bremelanotide) is a cutting-edge peptide therapy designed to enhance sexual wellness, improve libido, and support arousal in both men and women. Unlike traditional treatments, PT-141 works through the central nervous system to naturally stimulate desire rather than increasing blood flow alone.
This innovative peptide is ideal for individuals experiencing low libido, sexual dysfunction, or performance concerns. Many patients report improved intimacy, heightened sensitivity, and increased confidence.
Key Benefits:
- Boosts libido and sexual desire
- Supports arousal in men and women
- Non-hormonal approach to sexual wellness
- Fast-acting and clinically studied
Tirzepatide
SEO Description:
Tirzepatide is a next-generation weight loss injection that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors for enhanced fat loss and metabolic support. This dual-action peptide delivers powerful results by reducing appetite, improving insulin sensitivity, and promoting long-term weight management.
Often considered more advanced than traditional GLP-1 therapies, tirzepatide is ideal for patients seeking accelerated and sustainable weight loss under medical supervision.
Key Benefits:
- Dual-action fat loss support (GLP-1 + GIP)
- Greater appetite control and satiety
- Supports blood sugar balance
- Clinically proven weight loss results
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist used for safe, effective medical weight loss. This once-weekly injectable treatment helps regulate appetite, reduce cravings, and improve blood sugar control, making it a powerful solution for sustainable fat loss.
By mimicking natural hormones that signal fullness, semaglutide helps patients eat less without feeling deprived. It is ideal for individuals struggling with weight management, insulin resistance, or obesity.
Key Benefits:
- Significant weight loss support
- Reduces hunger and cravings
- Improves metabolic health
- Once-weekly dosing for convenience
Who Would Benefit from Peptides?
Peptides are best suited for patients who want measurable, targeted optimization — not a generic vitamin shelf. Common reasons patients start a peptide protocol with us:
- Recovery and lean body composition — patients training hard who want faster soft-tissue recovery and protected lean mass
- Anti-aging and metabolic support — declining growth hormone, energy, and sleep quality with age
- Active GLP-1 weight loss — preserving muscle while losing fat on semaglutide or tirzepatide
- Hair density and skin glow — patients running PRP scalp or skin protocols who want a systemic assist
- Stubborn visceral fat — deep abdominal fat that resists diet and exercise (tesamorelin)
- Sleep depth and recovery — patients waking unrefreshed even with 7–8 hours
- Sexual health and libido — for both women and men (PT-141)
- Post-surgery or post-injury recovery — accelerating soft-tissue and gut healing (BPC-157, TB-500)
What to Expect
1. Consultation + Labs
Heather reviews your goals, symptoms, training and recovery patterns, sleep, and current labs. If we need IGF-1, hormone panel, or metabolic markers, we order them before prescribing.
2. Custom Protocol
Heather prescribes the right peptide or stack, explains dosing, and teaches injection technique. Peptides ship from a regulated compounding pharmacy directly to you.
3. Ongoing Oversight
Monthly check-ins with Heather. We adjust dose based on what you feel and what the labs show. Most patients run a peptide for 3–6 months, reassess, and continue, swap, or step off.
Peptide therapy patients across Norman and the OKC metro
Peptide therapy is a relationship, not a one-time treatment. Bloodwork, custom protocol, monthly check-ins for the first 3 months, then quarterly follow-ups — that arc is the same whether you live 5 minutes from our office or 45. What changes is whether you get the same provider every visit, with the full picture of your labs and your goals, or whether you start over each time.
At Franco Aesthetics, peptide therapy is performed exclusively by Heather Franco, APRN, FNP-C. She runs every consult, interprets every panel, and adjusts every protocol. Same provider every visit, in person, with labs in hand.
Drive times to our Norman office:
- Norman: 5 to 10 minutes from most of the city
- Moore: 15 minutes north on I-35
- Noble: 10 minutes south
- South OKC, Nichols Hills, Mesta Park: 25 to 30 minutes north
- Edmond: 45 minutes — patients who make the drive for peptides typically combine the visit with other Franco services to make the trip count
- Newcastle, Tuttle, Goldsby, Lexington: 15 to 30 minutes west or south
Patients drive to Norman for peptide therapy because they want a single provider managing the protocol over time — someone who knows their labs, their goals, and what they’ve already tried. Peptides work when the protocol fits the person. Getting the protocol right takes context.
If you’re researching peptides for anti-aging, weight loss, recovery, libido, or sleep, the consult is the starting point. We do bloodwork before we prescribe — no exceptions, regardless of where you’re driving in from. If peptides aren’t the right fit for your goal, we’ll tell you that directly and point you to what is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — your body’s own signaling molecules. They direct cellular processes: collagen production, muscle repair, growth hormone release, appetite signaling, sleep cycles, and more. Therapeutic peptide protocols use specific peptides at therapeutic doses to amplify what your body already does.
Which peptides do you offer?
Our most-prescribed peptides include: BPC-157 (gut healing, soft tissue repair), TB-500 (muscle recovery), CJC-1295/Ipamorelin (growth hormone support), GHK-Cu (skin, hair, connective tissue), PT-141 (libido and sexual function), and various metabolic and immune-support peptides. Heather selects based on your specific goals.
How are peptides administered?
Most peptides are subcutaneous self-injections (similar to GLP-1 weight loss medications) once daily, several times a week, or before bed. Some peptides are available as nasal sprays or oral capsules. We teach injection technique at your first appointment.
When will I see results?
Varies by peptide and goal. Recovery and tissue repair peptides (BPC-157, TB-500): noticeable within 2–4 weeks. Growth hormone peptides: sleep quality often improves first (1–2 weeks), body composition changes by 8–12 weeks. Skin peptides (GHK-Cu): visible change by 4–8 weeks.
Are peptides safe?
When properly prescribed and sourced from licensed compounding pharmacies, peptides have a strong safety record. Risks vary by peptide. Heather will discuss your specific protocol’s risks during consultation. Peptides are not FDA-approved for many of the uses they’re prescribed for off-label, and we discuss that openly.
Do peptides replace hormone replacement or GLP-1 therapy?
No. Peptides work alongside, not instead of, hormone optimization or GLP-1 therapy when those are clinically indicated. Some patients use peptides for recovery and skin while on BHRT for hormonal balance. The right combination depends on your goals and labs.
How much do peptides cost?
Cost varies significantly by peptide and dose. Some are similar in cost to a monthly skincare routine; others are more substantial investments. Pricing is transparent and discussed at consultation. VIP members get 15% off — see the Membership page.
Will peptides show up on a drug test?
Most therapeutic peptides do NOT show on standard employment drug tests. Athletic / sports drug tests (NCAA, WADA) screen for some peptides — talk with Heather if you’re a competitive athlete subject to testing.
How It Works
Ready to Try Peptide Therapy?
Book a consult with Heather — we’ll review your goals, lab work, and current protocol, then design a peptide regimen that fits.
VIP members get 15% off all services. Details on the Membership page.
