1. What is M2 Peptide Complex™?:
   M2 Peptide Complex is a proprietary, bioengineered compound that is a complex of amino acids, L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and other ingredients.
   
   
   
2. How does the M2 Peptide Complex System work to reduce wrinkles?
   It optimizes the nutritional environment necessary for collagen synthesis and provides the incentive for collagen production. M2 Peptide Complex does not contain collagen and it is not an exfoliant.
   
   
   
3. How is the product packaged?
   M2 Peptide Complex is supplied in a 5-use skincare kit with 5 system components.
   
   
   
4. How often will I need to use the product?
   During the first eight weeks, it is recommended that you apply the skincare kit with the activating mask twice weekly for the first 2 weeks and weekly thereafter for six weeks to give your skin 10 activating mask treatments. Between mask applications, you should apply M2 Cleanser or another quality cleanser followed by M2 Moisturizer or Hydraderm™ twice daily. After the first eight weeks, we recommend that you continue to apply the activating mask at least once monthly, and continue with the twice daily regimen of using the cleanser and moisturizer.
   
   
   
5. Can the system be used more often than recommended?
   Yes. The application schedule for the M2 Peptide Complex is taken from laboratory data on the dose-response activity to M2 Peptide Complex, which demonstrates that you will not see accelerated improvement in your skin by a more rigorous application routine. However, many women report that they benefit from using M2 Peptide Complex more often than recommended when they use M2 Peptide Complex just prior a specific event in which they desire to have their skin appearing in its best condition.
   
   
   
6. How many days do I need to wait between activating mask applications during the first two weeks?
   Three to four days.
   
   
   
7. What is the best method to remove the activating mask?
   Dampen a clean face cloth with warm water and then apply the face cloth to the mask. The warm, wet cloth will soften the mask, enabling smooth removal of the activating mask. Using M2 Cleanser or another quality cleanser will assist in removing the mask.
   
   
   
8. Must I continue to use the M2 Peptide Complex System to maintain its effect?
   Yes. Withdrawal of M2 Peptide Complex removes the incentive for collagen production and allows your skin to eventually return to its pretreatment condition. The rate of regression is dependent on your genetic blueprint and your level of unprotected sun exposure.
   
   
   
9. Is the process cumulative?
   Yes. Users of the M2 Peptide Complex will notice a progressive improvement in the condition of their skin at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and so on. Wrinkles will become less apparent, irregular skin pigmentation will fade, and pores will decrease in size. Your skin will appear more youthful, with a vibrant appearance and increased firmness.
   
   
   
10. When will I see a result?
    You may see an effect after just one treatment with the skincare kit. Most people begin to see an appreciable reduction of wrinkles, facial pigmentation spots and pore size after 4 weeks of product use. Remember that the effect is cumulative and therefore substantially greater at 2 months, 4 months, etc.
    
    
    
11. Will everyone see the same results?
    No. The effectiveness of the product will be higher in older individuals because more mature skin lacks the necessary environment and incentive to produce the higher concentration of collagen seen in youthful skin. The ability of M2 Peptide Complex to reduce the appearance of irregular skin pigmentation and to impart a healthy glow to skin is not affected by age.
    
    
    
12. Can I achieve the same effect by spraying or rubbing collagen into my skin?
    No. The collagen molecule is a mammoth in molecular terms and consequently, it is impossible for collagen to pass through the superficial skin layer to reach the site where it can perform its designated function as the supporting framework for your skin.
    
    
    
13. Can I use M2 Peptide Complex with products, such as AHAs and Glycolic Acid, Retin-A™, and Cellex-C™?
    The M2 Peptide Complex is not compatible with AHAs, Glycolic Acids, Retin-A™ and topical ascorbic acid/Vitamin C products. Since each of these products is an acid, they would denature the M2 Peptide Complex and render it less effective.We do not recommend the simultaneous use of M2 Peptide Complex with topical ascorbic acid/vitamin C products for an additional reason. M2 Peptide Complex has incorporated a specific dose of L-Ascorbic Acid into its complex for the purpose of collagen production. Supplying additional ascorbic acid to the skin from other topical Vitamin C products will depress collagen synthesis.
    
    
    
14. What is the difference between M2 Peptide Complex and other collagen-promoting products?
    First, M2 Peptide Complex establishes an optimal nutritional environment for collagen production which in turn stimulates collagen synthesis. M2 Peptide Complex is not collagen that you apply topically to your skin. Second, since M2 Peptide Complex is not an acid or exfoliant, it does not achieve its effect through swelling, inflammation or the removal of superficial skin.
    
    
    
15. May I use the M2 Peptide Complex System as my complete skin care regimen?
    Yes. As long as you apply M2 Cleanser or another quality cleanser and M2 Moisturizer or Hydraderm in addition to the activating mask, you may elect to stop using other skin care products.
    
    
    
16. Is M2 Peptide Complex compatible with any sunscreen?
    No. You should not use M2 Peptide Complex with sunscreens containing PABA.
    
    
    
17. May I go into the sun while using M2 Peptide Complex?
    Yes. There is no light sensitivity associated with M2 Peptide Complex as is found in other products (e.g. Retin-A) We do not, however, recommend the use of a quality sunscreen product since ultraviolet light degrades collagen and will counteract some of the results achieved with M2 Peptide Complex.
    
    
    
18. Is M2 Peptide Complex safe to use on all skin types and colors?
    Yes.
    
    
    
19. Are there any known drug contraindications with this product?
    No.
    
    
    
20. Should I avoid certain activities after application of M2 Peptide Complex?
    Yes. Do not wash your face or swim for at least 4 hours after application.
    
    
    
21. Can I use M2 Peptide Complex if I have had skin lesions or cancer removed from my face?
    Yes. M2 Peptide Complex has been shown to have no effect on cancerous or precancerous growth. We do recommend, however, that you use M2 Peptide Complex with the cooperation of your physician
    
    
    
22. Will the product prevent aging if used in younger individuals?
    Yes. Since M2 Peptide Complex can reverse skin damage secondary to ultraviolet exposure, continued use of the product reduces the impact of aging secondary to sun exposure. Likewise, M2 Peptide Complex reduces the fraction of non-functioning cells in the skin that are responsible for collagen production by maintaining their stimulation and by providing an optimal nutritional environment. It is important to remember, however, that daily use of a sunscreen is also important in preventing premature aging of the skin.
    
    
    
23. Are there any side-effects with M2 Peptide Complex?
    There have been no documented cases of side-effects from using M2 Peptide Complex.
    
    
    
24. Why use L-Ascorbic Acid?
    This is the most stable form of ascorbic acid (a position).
    
    
    
25. What is the pH of M2 Peptide Complex?
    M2 Peptide Complex has a pH of 5.3, which is similar to the normal pH of the skin.
    
    
    
26. Was M2 Peptide Complex tested on animals?
    No. Laboratory testing on M2 Peptide Complex was performed on a laboratory grown skin model that is accepted as a valid alternative to animal testing.
    
    
    
27. Has Elizabeth Halen Corporation obtained FDA approval for M2 Peptide Complex?
    No. Since M2 Peptide Complex is a cosmetic, it does not require FDA approval.
    
    
    
28. How does M2 Peptide Complex work on wrinkles?
    The appearance of wrinkles is diminished as the collagen matrix of the skin increased in absolute amount, to fade liver spots, freckles and uneven skin tone. Several key ingredients in the M2 Peptide Complex System, such as the novel peptide GC-100, decrease the concentration of melanin pigment in the superficial layers of the skin. L-ascorbic acid (stabilized Vitamin C), aloe vera, and licorice extract behave synergistically to reduce the appearance of irregular pigmentation. In particular, M2 Peptide Complex inhibits tyrosinase, which is a coenzyme in the enzymatic pathway of melanin synthesis on facial blemishes. M2 Peptide Complex depresses sebaceous gland (oil gland) activity, which results an decreased incidence of facial blemishes.
    
    
    
29. How does M2 Peptide Complex differ from Retin-A?
    1. M2 Peptide Complex stimulates more than 5 times the collagen production of Retin-A.
    2. M2 Peptide Complex does not cause any of the side effects of Retin-A.
    3. M2 Peptide Complex is not an exfoliant. Because Retin-A is an acid, it behaves as an exfoliant.
    4. M2 Peptide Complex achieves its effect on wrinkles by bolstering the actual amount of collagen with no irritation. Retin-A achieves a fraction of its effect on wrinkles through subclinical, and sometimes clinical, inflammation.
    
    
    
30. How does M2 Peptide Complex differ from AHAs?
    1. M2 Peptide Complex is not an exfoliant, which means that it does not damage skin cells and subsequently accelerate cellular turnover / or accelerate their regeneration. AHAs achieve some of their effect by killing the superficial skin cells and allowing them to slough off. The injury caused by an AHA accelerates cellular turnover as part of the body’s healing response to injury.
    2. M2 Peptide Complex stimulates collagen production by optimizing the nutritional environment and stimulating collagen production. There is no chemical irritation. AHAs generate collagen by relying on the healing response that occurs in skin after chemical injury with acids.
    3. The collagen that accumulates with M2 Peptide Complex is found predominantly in children and young adults. The collagen that develops in the presence of AHAs is the kind that is found predominantly in the middle aged and elderly skin.
    
    
    
31. Will I get the same smoothing and softening effect that I associate with alpha-hydroxy products if I use M2 Peptide Complex?
    Yes. The smoothness associated with AHA products arises from the moisturizers in the product and not the alpha hydroxy acid component.
    
    
    
32. Does long term use of M2 Peptide Complex produce skin sensitivity as occurs with long term use of Retin-A and AHAs.
    No
    
    
    
33. Can I take vitamin C by mouth while using M2 Peptide Complex?
    Yes, since the vitamin C that you take by mouth is not deposited primarily in your skin.
    
    
    

Information on this document is provided for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. You should read carefully all product packaging and labels. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your physician or health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Copyright © 2003 Elizabeth Halen Corp.  All rights reserved.