Breakthrough Skin Care Product Reduces Signs of Aging
MUNCIE, Ind., May 30, 1996
A new, genetically engineered skin care compound,
B-2 Actigen, increases skin thickness by an average of eight percent and
reduces the appearance of wrinkles and skin discoloration, according to a pilot
study conducted at Ball Memorial Hospital. The study was conducted to confirm
the results of independent laboratory testing that concluded B-2 Actigen
stimulated the production of collagen twice as much as Retin-A. The research is
being submitted to Skin Research and Technology, an international peer-review
journal.
"The results are very exciting. If you think about Retin-A and alpha
hydroxy acid as first generation, this is clearly a second generation product.
It works better and is totally non-irritating to the skin," comments
Alexander Zemtsov, principal investigator of the study and director of the
Dermatology Research Laboratory at Ball Memorial Hospital.
B-2 Actigen is a proprietary combination of natural substances developed by
Geneda Corporation (Long Beach, CA), a privately-owned company specializing in
the development of dermaceutical products. B-2 Actigen is the active ingredient
in Geneda's skin care system called the Geneda B-2 Actigen System which
consists of a mask, activator, moisturizer and cleanser. The Geneda System was
the focus of the study.
In independent laboratory tests conducted on Geneda's B-2 Actigen System,
scientists measured proline incorporation, which indicates that the skin is
producing collagen. These tests showed that proline incorporation increased 300
percent with the Geneda B-2 Actigen System. Comparative studies with Retin-A
produced a 134.2 percent increase in proline incorporation.
"The purpose of the study was to confirm the results of independent
laboratory tests with a quantitative and invivo study involving actual
patients. We employed high-frequency ultrasound technology to measure the
impact of B-2 Actigen on actual epidermal thickness," reports Dr. Zemtsov.
"The eight percent increase in epidermal thickness is a direct result of
collagen production and skin rejuvenation." A key component of the study
was the use of high frequency (20 Mhz and above) ultrasound technology to
measure the effect of B-2 Actigen on epidermal thickness. High frequency
ultrasonography is an advanced bioengineering technique designed specifically
for examination of the skin. Nine participants were measured at the initiation
of the study and then remeasured 24 hours after application of the B-2 Actigen
System. Six additional participants were measured upon initiation of the study
and then again at week two, four and six. The average of eight percent increase
in thickness was realized in both groups. In addition to sophisticated
measurement techniques, participants completed a questionnaire to rate product
efficacy upon completion of the study. The data compiled from 13 patients
concluded that Geneda's B-2 Actigen System is a highly efficacious rejuvenation
product. Patients were asked to rate the product from one (no efficacy) to 10
(high efficacy). Ninety percent of patients rated it eight or higher resulting
in a statistically significant p-value=0.0225. In addition, 92 percent of
patients reported improved overall cosmetic appearance and less visible pores.
There were no side effects experienced among participants or observed by the
lead investigator.
"I was really skeptical about B-2 Actigen's ability to get rid of wrinkles
and make me look younger. But the product really works. I saw a definite
improvement in my skin's appearance and a real reduction in wrinkles,
particularly the crow's feet around my eyes," comments Jerilyn Justice,
study participant from Muncie, Indiana. "I've tried many other products
including Retin-A and alpha hydroxy. Geneda's product is better and doesn't
irritate the skin at all."
The open-label, six-week pilot study involved 15 women between the ages of 28
and 56 who have a moderate amount of actinic (sun) damage and who have some sun
and age-induced brown spots and wrinkles. Women who were using Retin-A or other
rejuvenating cream at present or in the past 3 months were excluded from the
study; however, all of the participants had used Retin-A and/or chemical peels
in the past.
Ball Memorial Hospital is a regional medical referral center and teaching
hospital serving a seven-county area in East Central Indiana. It has 436
operating beds, 2,400 employees and more than 250 physicians on its Clinical
Staff, trained in 26 recognized medical specialties. A teaching facility, Ball
Hospital is affiliated with Indiana University School of Medicine and is the
largest teaching center outside of Indianapolis with 64 physicians involved in
family practice, internal medicine, pathology and flexible residencies and a
sports medicine fellowship program.
