Collagen is the main component of the skin’s dermal matrix, the structure responsible for the strength, spring and thickness of youthful skin. Gentle stimulation of collagen-producing cells in an optimized nutritional environment ensures a robust and youthful cycle of collagen renewal and cellular rejuvenation.

Dermatological Findings
A major feature of youthful skin is its resiliency to physical stress. The collagen makeup of youthful skin is 70% Collagen III and 30% Collagen I. Collagen III has elastic properties, but aging replaces Collagen III with relatively inelastic Collagen I. Skin treated with M2 PEPTIDE COMPLEX™ demonstrates a rebound in Collagen III levels and a reversal in collagen ratios consistent with youthful skin. The cosmetic result is progressive improvement in skin tone and resiliency with ongoing treatment. Ongoing experience with B2-Actigen has shown that the beneficial effect of the M2 PEPTIDE COMPLEX is cumulative over time.



Electron Micrograph Scan Findings
Electron Micrographs (20,000X) scans of skin models treated with M2 PEPTIDE COMPLEX illustrate an increase in the density and length of collagen fibers and a reduction in the prevalence of broken collagen fragments.



The testing revealed that:

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SCIENTIFIC CLINICAL TRIAL
- M2 Peptide Complex Improves Photoaged Skin

There are a number of products such as alpha-hydroxy acid and retinoic acid derivatives that have been shown to reverse the effects of photo damage and to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin. The efficacy of topical M2 Peptide Complex in treating photo aging is well-established in vitro study. This study was conducted to verify and assess the effect of the M2 Peptide Complex on photo damaged human skin. The M2 Peptide Complex is supposed to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin -namely to reduce or eliminate abnormal pigmentation, and to decrease skin wrinkles. Essentially, all rejuvenation preparations have ingredients that bleach brown pigmentation. It appears that the decrease in skin wrinkles is due to new collagen production according to an in vitro study done by an independent laboratory (Advanced Tissue Sciences).
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the decrease in skin wrinkles observed after treatment with M2 Peptide Complex was due to new collagen production or sub clinical irritation.

The clinical trial divided participants into two groups. The subjects were evaluated 24 hours after product application. An independent laboratory tested for increased collagen production by measuring for changes in the levels of the collagen building block proline, which is considered a marker for heightened collagen production.

1. Quantitative measurement of skin thickness by high frequency ultrasonography on human skin.
   
   
2. Qualitative analysis of M2 Peptide Complex on subject for overall cosmetic improvement, irritation study, decrease in the number of wrinkles, decrease in the amount of hyper pigmentation by the duration completed

Inclusion / Exclusion:

• The open label, six week pilot study involved 15 women between the ages of 28 and 56.
  
• All patients were in good general health and had moderate amounts of clinically diagnosed actinic damage, brown spots, and fine wrinkles.
  
• Women who were using Retin-A or other chemical peel or rejuvenating cream at present or in the past three months were excluded from the study.
  

Method:
At the initial baseline visit and then weekly;

1. Patients stopped using all topical medication for two weeks prior to the study.
   
2. Elizabeth-Halen's M2 Peptide Complex was applied to the skin.
   
3. At the end of the study, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and to rate the efficacy of the product for qualitative evaluation.
   

The protocol had been approved by our institutional review board (Ball Memorial Hospital, Research Department, 2401 University Avenue Muncie, IN 47303-3499) and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Furthermore, a key component of the study for quantitative analysis was the use of high frequency ultrasound (20Mhz and above) ultrasonography to measure the effect of M2 Peptide Complex on epidermal thickness. High frequency ultrasonography is an advanced bioengineering technique designed specifically for examination of the skin.

Participants were divided into two groups. Nine participants were measured at the initiation of the study and then remeasured 24 hours after the application of M2 Peptide Complex.
The second groups, consisting of six participants, were measured upon the initiation of the study and again at two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks.

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