Jan Marini Skin Research (JMSR) is a leading manufacturer of medically documented skin care and aesthetic products for the professional market. JMSR is known for creating innovative product solutions and dramatic technological advances. Through the years, the company has established a portfolio of proprietary formulas that reflect the company's ongoing commitment to being the leading developer of skin care products that provide measurable clinical results. Jan Marini’s products are created around the concept of a 5-step program, and there are several different product lines based on content. Ellipse Klinikken has the special expertise to assemble the product package that will provide you the customer with the best effect for your particular skin type and your special needs. Jan Marini himself, President and CEO of the company, is a respected authority on medical skin care and has dedicated more than three decades to researching and developing new, innovative, scientifically-based skin care technology. Bioglycolic ® Line Glycolic acid is a type of fruit acid, or a so-called AHA (alpha hydroxy acid). Fruit acids are found naturally in fruits and foods. Glycolic acid, found in sugar cane, is the AHA that has received the most attention in the medical world because it is the smallest molecule. The weight of glycolic acid means that this small molecule can penetrate the skin and into the cells more efficiently and thus provide the most dramatic and beneficial changes of all fruit acid types. Glycolic acid dissolves the “glue-like” bonds between skin cells and helps to remove dead skin cells. This non-surgical removal of cells in the epidermis (stratum corneum) means that glycolic acid acts as a resurfacing agent, which can considerably improve the skin's appearance. It has also proven to be a valuable tool with respect to the reduction of deep acne scars. Medical studies have shown that glycolic acid stimulates collagen, increases epidermal volume and even acts as a powerful antioxidant and inhibitor of free radicals. The Bioglycolic Line combines glycolic acid with technological innovation far beyond what has previously been available. Among other ingredients in the products in this line are acelaic acid and salicylic acid. Age Intervention ® Line Jan Marini Age Intervention Face is a breakthrough in anti-aging technology for the adult woman. The line focuses on changes in mature skin by concentrating on two critical areas: hormone levels and changes associated with prolonged exposure to the sun. As a woman’s age increases, and the hormonal levels decrease, the sebaceous glands are reduced, which contributes to dry skin. In addition, lower oestrogen levels result in a reduced humidity level, which in turn accelerates the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Other hormone related changes include: • Reduced cell regeneration and a lowering of the skin’s function as a barrier, resulting in moisture loss and the possibility of irritation. • Reduction in the skin's fat content results in less substance and the contours of the skeleton are more visible. • Thinner dermis layer . • Thinner and fewer elastin fibres . • Changes in collagen production and collagen fibres. • Reduced blood supply to the skin's surface. • Reduced immune function in skin cells. • Pigment changes. • Reduced eyelashes and eyebrows. • Larger pores. The Jan Marini Age Intervention line has unique and patented technologies specifically suited to addressing these problem areas. Among the active substances are bioidentical hormones, Conezym Q10, MSM, essential fatty acids, topical interferon, various algae and plankton. C-ESTA ® Line Jan Marini's C-ESTA products containing DMAE Complex represent a revolutionary concept in anti-aging. The products are based on the first form of fat-soluble vitamin C. The technology used in C-ESTA means that it is non-irritative and may even be used on very sensitive skin. The products have a long shelf life, are stable and provide for superior absorption of vitamin C through the skin. Medical research has shown that vitamin C plays an essential role in all aspects of the skin’s function, including protection against free radicals, healing of wounds, collagen synthesis and the repair of cumulative signs of aging associated with the sun. It has also been also proven that for Vitamin C to be present in the skin at levels that provide a medicinal effect, it must be transported into the cells through topical application (on the skin). This is a complex technology that involves stabilization, optimal absorption, adequate activity levels and documented studies on human tissue that ensure that actual physical changes occur. C-ESTA is the result of years of painstaking research led by Nicholas Perricone, M. D. This has resulted in a patented transporting system that, combined with other stimulating factors, can actually do something about excess and sagging skin. C-ESTA has two main technologies that provide these wonderful results. DMAE Complex and Ascorbyl Palmitate. • DAE Complex is a powerful antioxidant cocktail that works by stabilizing the cell membrane, which allows the cells to work optimally. At the same time, it improves and increases cellular activity. • DAE Complex contains a proprietary transport molecule that improves penetration and makes it easier for Ascorbyl Palmitate to enter the cell. • Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that contains all the physiological properties of vitamin C without the problems that can be associated with ascorbic acid (the usual water-soluble form of vitamin C). Due to the fact that it is fat-soluble, it penetrates the skin quickly and inhibits cross-linking of collagen, oxidation of proteins and peroxidising of fat. • Ascorbyl Palmitate increases the cells' ability to function, repair themselves and behave “younger.” It has a neutral pH and can be used on all skin types without irritation. Ascorbyl Palmitate is also anti-inflammatory and extremely stable. Patient observations on the use of C-ESTA products • Thicker dermis layer • More resilient skin • Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles • Tighter skin • Softer, smoother skin • More reflective skin • Reduction in redness caused by irritation and inflammation • More even skin colour • Sensitive skin tolerates more • Fewer burst capillaries Transformation ® Line (TGF) Jan Marini Skin Research Transformation Line is a unique breakthrough that contains a type of cytokine technology that specifically focuses on TGF Beta-1 (Transformation Growth Factor - a type of growth factor). Among other things, cytokines act as an intracellular intermediary that provides signals regarding interactions between specific cell structures necessary to maintain a healthy and youthful appearance. Scientists became fascinated by Transformation Growth Factors when it was discovered that life-saving operations performed on the foetus in the uterus during the first 5 months of pregnancy left no scars at all. Apparently, the skin repairs wounds more rapidly after 5 months of pregnancy, but in a more haphazard manner, leaving visible and ugly scars. Injecting “non-foetal” scars with a solution containing the appropriate balance of the growth factor has been shown to produce scar-free results. This is a very costly process that cannot be used in its present form. However, further research has discovered the value of TGF beta-1 as an initiator of processes that improve skin functions when applied to the skin. Even more exciting is that studies at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Cornell Medical College and Jefferson Medical College have shown that TGF Beat-1 stimulates production of collagen and elastin, and serves as additional support to the factors enabling more rapid wound healing. Infection reducing factors also appear to have a beneficial effect. The products in the Transformation Line have been used to very good effect on sore, dry skin and are excellent for those with acne problems. Antioxidant Line We should constantly remind ourselves that skin aging is not a process associated with chronological age. Rather, it is not the years we have lived that matter most, but the cumulative exposure of the skin to the sun and other environmental factors. Up to 94% of what we perceive as inevitable aging is sun damage, and it requires only occasional exposure to the sun over the years to cause these changes. Most of this damage occurs before we reach the age of 10, and at least 80% occurs before the age of 18. It takes 10, 20 and up to 30 years before this damage becomes visible, which means that protection against the sun today protects against aging in the future. You should protect yourself against both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA rays penetrate the atmosphere, glass and clouds and can cause damage, even on a cloudy day. UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin, damages collagen and elastin, and is a contributing factor to skin cancer. UVA rays make the skin darker when pigment darkens, but this colour provides no further protection against radiation. UVA is the main component in solariums. UVB rays are mostly absorbed in the atmosphere, but the skin is very sensitive to these rays that result in red, irritated and sunburned skin. UVB rays make the skin thicker and increase melanin production, which can lead to some protection against further irradiation. UVB can cause up to 100 times more damage to the skin compared to UVA and is a major contributing cause of skin cancer. The Jan Marini Skin Research Antioxidant Line contains full-spectrum sun protection with filters against both UVA and UVB. In addition, the products contain a groundbreaking micro-sponge technology, powerful antioxidants and an excellent moisture complex for extraordinary protection and skin rejuvenation. No matter what SPF (Sun Protection Filter) you use, some radiation will reach the skin and can potentially produce free radicals. Antioxidants have been shown to be “scavengers” of free radicals and thereby protect the skin against their harmful effects. Factor-A ® and Factor-A Plus ® Line Dramatic skin rejuvenation for the visible signs of aging in the skin. Factor A and Factor-A Plus are innovative technologies that fall under the category known as Retinoids. Retinoids are a group of natural and synthetic compounds that have Vitamin A-like biological activity. They play an important role in skin growth, repair and epithelial cell differentiation. During the last 20 years, much research has focused on specific retinoids, especially tretinoin (vitamin A acid), with the objective of treating various abnormal skin conditions, including acne, actinic keratosis and skin lesions caused by exposure to the sun and aging skin. Jan Marini uses stabilization and transportation molecules to carry retinol to the skin in a stable form where it will be converted from retinol to tretinoin (vitamin A acid) with the aid of enzymes. This method prevents superficial desquamation/flaking, redness, peeling and irritation. Recent studies reveal that stabilized retinol can be more active in the skin than tretinoin. Medical research has proven that certain retinoids, such as retinol, can reduce or reverse many of the visible signs of aging. This applies particularly to fine lines and texturing in the skin. The formation of collagen, greater re-formation of blood vessels and formation of capillaries have been documented. One can see a dramatic improvement in the skin in relation to smoothness, evenness of skin tone and skin rejuvenation. Retinol increases wound healing and plays an important role with regards to the reduction of hyper-pigmentation. It is also an important “primer” in relation to a number of cosmetic and medical procedures, such as surgery, laser treatment and chemical peeling. The Factor A Line is comprised of products with stabilized retinol as well as glycolic acid, among other things. Therapeutic Line: The Benzoyl Peroxide Group Reduces P. Acne bacteria significantly. Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful and effective treatment for acne. Benzoyl peroxide is currently recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology as one of the most effective antibacterial agents and has been shown to significantly reduce the return of P. acne bacteria (the bacteria believed to play an important role in the infective/ inflammatory effects of the acne process). The P. acne bacteria flourish in oxygen-free environments and feed on oil trapped in the sebaceous glands. The bacterium thus releases a toxic by-product in the form of a harmful fatty acid. This breaks down the follicle wall and promotes leakages and fractures that produce acne lesions/wounds. By reducing the colonies of P. acne bacteria, the inflammation process is reduced, and there is a significant decline in acne lesions/sores.