Imedeen, a new compound for oral administration consisting of special protein fractions and some glucosaminoglycans extracted from marine fish, has been shown in previous pilot studies to have a repairing effect on sun-damaged skin. In an open study, 10 females with sun-damaged skin, aged 39-61 years, were treated with 0.5 g/day Imedeen for 90 days. At baseline and after 30, 60 and 90 days, the following parameters were clinically evaluated: wrinkles; mottles; dryness of skin; and brittleness of hair and nails. After 90 days' treatment all signs of sun-damage had improved and brittleness of hair and nails was normalized in all cases. These clinical observations were confirmed by changes in skin thickness and elasticity. In a second double-blind study, 30 females in the same age range and with similar signs of sun-damage were treated with 0.5 g/day Imedeen or placebo for 90 days. The results in the Imedeen-treated group corresponded to those in the first study whereas no response to treatment was observed in the placebo treatment group.