The invention provides inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases that are useful for encouraging the development of healthy skin and for treating wounds. The inhibitors are peptides having sequences related to cleavage regions of the proenzyme forms of matrix metalloproteinases. The peptide inhibitors of the invention can be formulated into therapeutic compositions, lotions, creams, skin covering and wound dressings that facilitate healing and healthy skin development, discourage scarring and wrinkling and ameliorate the effects of healing.