Glossary
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs or A.G.E.s) are caused by toxic sugars that MEG 21 targets. They cause inflammation in skin, as well as wrinkles, dryness, sagging, and hyperpigmentation. They also contribute to skin cancer.
Alpha hydroxy acid: A skin irritant that is used to strip away skin so that new skin grows back
Amino acids: The building blocks of collagen and elastin, the proteins that give skin its structure
Amino sugar: A sugar linked to an amino acid, making the amino acid unable to be built into healthy proteins and peptides
Antioxidant: A substance that prevents the harmful effects of inflammation on skin
Arginine: A critical amino acid that makes up collagen and elastin
Ballistometer: An instrument used to measure increases and decreases in the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Collagen: A critical protein in the structure of the skin. Loss of collagen causes wrinkles and dryness.
Double-blind study: A clinical study in which dermatologists do not know which skin cream is being studied or to which side of the face or arm it has been applied
Elastin: An essential skin-supporting protein. As we age, it breaks down, causing skin to sag. Drooping jowls and saggy neck are common results of this breakdown.
Elastometer: An instrument used to measure the elasticity of skin tissue
Epidermis/dermis/hypodermis: The layers that make up the skin
Expert grader: A person who is trained to detect slight differences in skin following various treatments
FN3K: An enzyme that causes the production of toxic sugars.
Free radicals: Ionized molecules that are hyperactive and cause damage to skin. They are commonly caused by overexposure to the sun.
Glycation: The process of toxic sugars binding to collagen and elastin, thereby disrupting the skin’s structure and causing it to become inflamed, red, dry, and wrinkled.
Hyaluronic acid: An ingredient in skin cream that promotes moisturization
Hyperpigmentation: The increase in skin pigmentation that causes age spots and brown spots. It is frequently associated with sun damage.
Image analysis: The extraction of meaningful information from images, mainly digital ones, by means of digital image-processing techniques.
Impedance meter: A new device that measures moisturization in skin, using simple electrodes at low frequency. The amount of moisture determines the “impedance” level.
Inflammation: Can be harmful or helpful. When it is always present, it is harmful, and skin becomes red, dry, irritated, and ages. When it only develops in the presence of short-term viruses and bacteria, it is helpful by fighting them off.
Laser Treatment: The use of lasers to treat skin conditions. It should only be performed by an expert M.D.
Liposomes: Natural lipid (fat) layers in skin that give it body and moisture.
Meglumine: A sorbitol-derived ingredient in MEG21, patented to treat skin aging and wrinkling. It has been clinically proven to decrease toxic sugars and A.G.E.s.
Microneedling: A skin-improving treatment that uses small needles to prick the skin. Meg 21’s Advanced Formula is recommended by many dermatologists post treatment.
Moisturization/hydration: Increasing the skin’s moisture content, which is lost with aging.
Oxidative stress: Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free-radical activity and antioxidant activity in our bodies. An excess of free radicals damages fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins, leading to a number of diseases and to skin aging.
Peptides: Multiple amino acids bound together, usually to become a protein.
Retinol: An acid-based ingredient that irritates and kills skin cells so they can be regenerate
Rosacea: An inflammatory disease of the face that causes redness
Silicon imprinting: Pressing a substance similar to “silly putty” against the skin. The putty is then removed and scanned with a microscope to determine the extent of wrinkling.
Sodium hyaluronate: A nonacidic moisturizing ingredient commonly used in skin cream
Supplamine: A patented combination of ingredients in MEG 21 products. Clinically proven to slow down the aging process by reducing toxic sugars in skin.
Toxic sugars: Cause skin aging, wrinkles, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and sagging. They are found in certain foods and drinks as well as made in the body.
UV exposure: Exposure to the sun’s radiation, which over time causes skin burning, redness, and especially aging