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Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:16 pm  |
Hello EDS Forum! I am a total newbie to this forum, although I've been lurking for quite a while. I have just begun a ZO Medical/Skin treatment and thought I would share my experience since there seems to be little about the Medical line on the forum. The products I will be using are a combination of the Medical & Skin lines.
A bit about me & my skin:
34, white
Decent shape, exercise 4-5xweek
Try to eat clean; am limiting most food inflammations (sugar, dairy, gluten, alcohol, etc). Will be doing a Whole30 soon
Melasma & rosacea
I have completed an Obagi NuDerm plan about 12 years ago to deal with some minor hyperpigmentation, but it was nothing like what I'm dealing with now (thanks pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormones & age!)
I had an appointment with Dr. Obagi last week at the Obagi Skin Institute, and the following is my plan for the next 12 weeks:
AM
Oilacleanse
Polishing Scrub
Cebatrol
Melamin
Daily Power Defense
Ommerse Overnight Recovery
Hydrafirm Eye
Oclipse tinted sunscreen
PM
Oilacleanse
Cebatrol
Melamin
Daily Power Defense
Ommerse Overnight Recovery
Hydrafirm Eye
Complex A + Melamix (after the first 2 weeks this is AM & PM)
I am to use all products on my entire face, including eyes & eyelids, except for the Cebatrol. As expected, that makes me incredibly nervous since the eyelids are already so sensitive.
I am to follow the above for 12 weeks. Phase 1 is the first 6 weeks, which will include all of the lovely peeling, redness and unhappiness that the products create. Phase 2 is Week 6-12 and should show signs of improvement, less irritation, etc. Phase 3 is Week 12-18 and begins maintenance. I will need to return to see Dr. Obagi sometime before maintenance to discuss rosacea (which he told me may or may not be helped with Phase 1) and a maintenance plan.
I just thought I would share my experience, if anyone cares! If I've posted in the wrong area (I couldn't drop it in the Obagi category), please let me know!
I'll update perhaps weekly as the treatment progresses. Looking forward to learning quite a bit from the forum! |
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Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:23 pm |
Wow...THE Dr. Obagi? Very cool! and WELCOME to EDS!
I really liked using the prior ZO line and saw some definite improvement in my skin when using it, as proven with a Visia analysis before and after.
My only complaint was that you could get IDENTICAL products for some of the line for FAR cheaper, as they were private label products produced by Young Pharmaceuticals. But I am willing to bet that is no longer the case since it was pretty easily discovered. 
BTW, the Offects Polishing Scrub was one of my favorite products in the whole line....loved that stuff! |
_________________
No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:31 pm |
bethany, yes, THE Dr. Obagi. It was a total fluke actually. I am vacationing in California and decided I need a facial. So I called to schedule and they mentioned Dr. Obagi was going to be in the area and had a cancellation. I jumped on it and figured now was the time to just start the program. He was very nice.
I've been delaying it as much as possible - but it seems there is never a good time to start a program where your face turns red and flakes for weeks, unless, of course, you can hide for 12 weeks on a remote island. At least he taught me how to back off the products for an event.
And I had read about the Young Pharmaceuticals discovery, but for convenience, I just went along with the program.
And off note, thanks for all of your input on this forum, I have already learned a ton just from reading your responses. Thanks for the information! |
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Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:53 pm |
| readyornot wrote: |
| At least he taught me how to back off the products for an event. |
Do you mind sharing what he said about backing off the products? Did he say anything about how to conceal redness and peelies? Do use foundation? Thank you! |
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Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:17 pm |
[i]Do you mind sharing what he said about backing off the products? Did he say anything about how to conceal redness and peelies?[/i]
Dr. Obagi told me that most reactions occur 4 days after a product is used, so in his experience, backing off of the irritants 4 days before an event should suffice. I think for the 1st time I try, I'll try 5 days just in case. I will definitely report on it though!
However, he did sort of scare me about the effectiveness of some of the products and how starting & stopping will almost certainly make the treatment less effective, and the process will take longer. So I'm really going to try to stop the Complex A, for example, only before our family photos, and maybe for my son's school event. I don't really want to meet all of the parents & teachers at a new school and be remembered as the weird mom with a red & flakey face!
I will look back in my notes and see if there is anything else specifically that I have missed.
[i]Do use foundation?[/i]
At the moment I use two different foundations, depending on how much time I have and how much coverage I need. If I have the time, I use an airbrush, Dinair, which gives me a much more natural look and conceals relatively well. Good for just running around and not needing/wanting to look "done."
If I'm getting ready at the gym, or need a bit heavier coverage, I will use Chanel Vitalumiere which is incredibly light & lovely.
I guarantee I will need another foundation during this process, since I'll be more dry and flakey, and red. I have already bookmarked Jane Iredale mineral foundation, just in case!
PS: Sorry I can't get the quotes to work correctly, so I just italicized. |
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Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:11 pm |
| readyornot wrote: |
| Dr. Obagi told me that most reactions occur 4 days after a product is used, so in his experience, backing off of the irritants 4 days before an event should suffice. I think for the 1st time I try, I'll try 5 days just in case. I will definitely report on it though! |
That's interesting because I get irritation on day 2 and peelies on day 3 after using Retin A.
| readyornot wrote: |
I guarantee I will need another foundation during this process, since I'll be more dry and flakey, and red. I have already bookmarked Jane Iredale mineral foundation, just in case! |
Getting foundation working is the hardest part of the whole Obagi regimen. A good foundation has to do the following: 1) conceal redness 2) de-emphasize flakies 3) promote healing. I have not been able to find such a foundation. I believe BB creams are better for this purpose.
Is Jane Iredale mineral foundation a powder or a liquid foundation? Is that what Dr Obagi recommends? I remember it is mentioned somewhere on his website that many of his clients use ony the Oclipse tinted sunscreen but I definitely need more coverage. |
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Thu Aug 15, 2013 5:50 am |
| Hello! Good to hear someone is also going to do Zo Medical. I am 32 and living in the Netherlands. I have some hyperpygmentation and some little acne scars. I met a dermatologist who said Nu derm is old and Zo Medical is the new and safer protocol. I am starting in a couple of weeks. I am practically doing the same regime as you, only with me Brightenex will be included in the regime. We don't have Melamix or Meladerm in the Netherlands, but possibly some hydraquinone will be added to my programm to get rid of the pigmentation. I also think you will be doing Brightenex in the maintenace programm since docter Obagi has explicitly stated that hydroquinone for too long is not good for you, therfore he designed Brightenex which does not include hydroquinone. I am very excited to almost be starting and I will certainly update you on my progress! |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:26 am |
I cannot for the life of me get the quotes to work, and I cannot locate the Guide referenced. I apologize for being so annoying! If someone can point me in the right direction I'll practice getting it correct!
"That's interesting because I get irritation on day 2 and peelies on day 3 after using Retin A."
It's Day 4 and I woke up with a bright red eyelid which was incredibly puffy & cracked. Oh, the joys of using the system. The rest of my face is now in that about-to-peel phase and my makeup is just sitting on top, looking awful. Slight peeling around my lips, chin & forehead. Ug.
"Getting foundation working is the hardest part of the whole Obagi regimen. A good foundation has to do the following: 1) conceal redness 2) de-emphasize flakies 3) promote healing. I have not been able to find such a foundation. I believe BB creams are better for this purpose."
Agreed. You reminded me I had purchased Kiehl's BB cream before we left on vacation. I tried it this morning and it is not good - I could barely rub it it, maybe because of the Oclipse sunscreen? Do you have any BB recommendations? I could use them!
"Is Jane Iredale mineral foundation a powder or a liquid foundation? Is that what Dr Obagi recommends? I remember it is mentioned somewhere on his website that many of his clients use ony the Oclipse tinted sunscreen but I definitely need more coverage."
From what I've read on the forum, people use the mineral powder foundation. Although I can't imagine a powder looking any better on me now, I have a feeling it would just make me look even more cakey? What to do?
I haven't found a recommendation from Dr. Obagi regarding foundation, but if it gets bad enough I'll call the Institute and see what they say. |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:30 am |
[quote="monique80"]Hello! Good to hear someone is also going to do Zo Medical. I am 32 and living in the Netherlands. I have some hyperpygmentation and some little acne scars. I met a dermatologist who said Nu derm is old and Zo Medical is the new and safer protocol. I am starting in a couple of weeks. I am practically doing the same regime as you, only with me Brightenex will be included in the regime. We don't have Melamix or Meladerm in the Netherlands, but possibly some hydraquinone will be added to my programm to get rid of the pigmentation. I also think you will be doing Brightenex in the maintenace programm since docter Obagi has explicitly stated that hydroquinone for too long is not good for you, therfore he designed Brightenex which does not include hydroquinone. I am very excited to almost be starting and I will certainly update you on my progress![/quote]
Monique80, nice to "meet" you! Good to know we'll be suffering together.
I did purchase the Brightenex, but Dr. Obagi doesn't want me to use it until Phase 3 begins. It is HQ-free, which I am already looking forward to.
Can't wait to hear about your progress! |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:51 am |
| readyornot - go to your profile and see if the options for HTML code and BB code both say YES. |
_________________
No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:55 am |
| bethany wrote: |
| readyornot - go to your profile and see if the options for HTML code and BB code both say YES. |
Dur. Fixed. Thank you. |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:01 pm |
| readyornot wrote: |
| Do you have any BB recommendations? I could use them! |
I have ordered Oxygenetix foundation from lovelyskin.com (http://www.lovelyskin.com/details.asp?PID=118112)
From the website:
| Quote: |
Oxygenetix is the best foundation makeup to cover, conceal and heal.
Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation is a post-procedure makeup that helps cover, heal and minimize post-procedure scars. Distributed only by medical professionals, this breathable foundation stimulates cell growth and soothes stressed skin, helping to minimize scarring and rebuild collagen. As a full coverage foundation, Oxygenetix not only heals but also camouflages a variety of skin conditions and issues such as rosacea, psoriasis, dry skin, wounds, rashes, burns and scars. Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation is also gentle enough to be used immediately following laser procedures.
Oxygenetix soothes and stimulates cell growth with the help of oxygen.
Oxygenetix breathable foundation uses Ceravitae, a super-charged oxygen complex that helps rebuild connective tissue and encourages collagen cell regrowth in wounded and aging skin. This groundbreaking complex drives large amounts of oxygen to skin cells, transforming the skin into younger, plumper and fresher-looking skin.
Use with Oxygenetix moisturizer and turn your foundation into a second skin.
Apply Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation over Oxygenetix Oxygenating Moisturizer to reinforce natural skin healing and speed connective tissue reconstruction. The foundation acts as a "second skin," protecting your skin while it heals. This technology allows Ceravitae to build collagen layers and enhance the natural healing process.
The best foundation makeup for rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, Oxygenetix won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Post-procedure skin is stressed, easily irritated and sensitive. Oxygenetix foundations soothe and heal even the most sensitive skin with these beneficial properties, perfect for all skin types:
Non-comedogenic
Oil-free
Fragrance-free
Organically certified ingredients
Hypoallergenic
Non-drying
Water-resistant, won’t rub or sweat off
SPF 25 for UVA/UVB sun protection |
P.S.: I went to a MediSpa to try it first and it felt quite gentle and nice. Warning: it's very expensive.
| readyornot wrote: |
| Although I can't imagine a powder looking any better on me now, I have a feeling it would just make me look even more cakey? What to do? |
Powder foundation looks like crap, it makes my skin feel even drier.
| readyornot wrote: |
| I haven't found a recommendation from Dr. Obagi regarding foundation, but if it gets bad enough I'll call the Institute and see what they say. |
Please share with us what you will find out.
P.S.: to quote a message, use "Quote" button that is in the upper right corner. While editing your own message you can highlight the sentence and press the "quote" button that is above the message box. |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:29 pm |
Hi ready or not, OMG the peeling Will start zoon then. However, it also mens that it is working! My dermatologist told me that the peeling and redness with zo medical are however less than with nuderm, wonder if that is true?!
Brighthenex and meladerm together is indeed not possible, but good that after 12 weeks you stop HQ!
Do you already notice zone lightening in your hyperpygmentation, or is that too early?
Good look with finding a good foundation, unfortunately I do not have any tips for you. I use dermablend, but that is not good if you start flaking I think.
Good luck in The following days!
Russiangirl are you also starting The programm?
Monique |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:30 pm |
| Sorry for the spelling errors, I see my spellingcheck is changing English in Dutch lol! |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:56 pm |
| monique80 wrote: |
| Russiangirl are you also starting The programm? |
No, I did NuDerm a long time ago. Now I just use Retin A occasionally. |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:01 pm |
| And my I ask for what reason you did Nuderm? Did you maintain your results over the Years? |
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Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:18 pm |
| monique80 wrote: |
| And my I ask for what reason you did Nuderm? Did you maintain your results over the Years? |
I do not know why I did the whole program  I have no hyperpigmentation, no scars. I guess I just wanted to lighten and tighten the skin.
Maintenance involves using the same products but only 2-3 times per week. So, of course, one can maintain results by constantly applying Vitamin A, AHA, lightening products, etc. The problem is, however, to do that with minimal side effects, and that's not very easy. |
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Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:05 pm |
| RussianSunshine wrote: |
| I have ordered Oxygenetix foundation. |
Oh my I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this recommendation! I bought a bottle yesterday since I knew I wouldn't be able to find anything over the weekend, and it is MARVELOUS!
I purchased the Beige color, mainly by guessing, and it's spot on. It went on smoothly this morning (I've had it on for about 5 hours so far) and it looks just like it did this morning. No caking. I can barely see where the peelies are, and its hiding the imperfect texture really nicely.
I put it on using my fingers, and sort of dabbed it around until it was blended, since rubbing brings out more flakes. Went to a party this morning and although I felt like my face was dry and peeling, it looks totally normal!
Hooray for a great find. THANK YOU RussianSunshine! |
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Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:50 pm |
| readyornot, I am glad you like it. |
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:45 pm |
| Hi readyornot, may I ask how you are doing? How is the programm going? Saturday I meet my derm and get my kit. I am getting a little scared lol... |
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Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:24 am |
Week 1 Summary
Well, it has begun. Red. Itchy. Dry. Flakey. Peeling. Scaly. Tight. Chapped. Cracked. Overall, I'm hideous.
I stopped the HQ & Retin-A products last night, since I have a dinner party I am throwing Friday evening. My skin is happy to have a few days off, although I am going to try not to make a habit of it.
A few thoughts:
I had to back off the eyelids and go to every night instead of morning & night. It was too much, and my eyes swelled up and wouldn't open. As my husband remarked, "It looks like you had collagen injected into your eyelids!" Thanks, babe.
The primary areas of peeling are my chin & upper lip, as well as the eyelids already mentioned. I really was just fine until Day 5. That's when the peeling got so bad I couldn't put any makeup over it, and some of my skin was cracking a bit. Which leads me to my next point,
I decided to help relieve some of the peeling to use my Clarisonic on the evening of Day 4 and I think I might have used it on Day 5 and Day 6. Does anyone think that could have added to the peeling & overall discomfort? Did I dry my face out? I will leave that question to the experts of the interwebs.
My eyes are so dry that they are constantly watering. The outside corners of my eyes are so raw from the tears that they just hurt. Working on that with Aquaphor (must buy my own since I've stolen all of it from my son!)
As mentioned, because of all of the flakiness, I cannot find a foundation to wear, which includes the Oxygenetix that RussianSunshine recommended and I loved on Day 4. I will try it again when I get back to the products, and not use the Clarisonic since my skin was doing ok at that point.
A few product thoughts from Week 1:
Oilacleanse Cleanser: Not much to say about it except I feel like it really gets my skin clean, and I like the little beads in it. I wash my face for a full minute and it definitely feels like my skin is clean and slightly exfoliated.
Polishing Scrub: LOVE this stuff. After I use this in the morning my skin feels like a baby's. So soft and exfoliated without being too harsh.
Cebatrol pads: Burns. 2% salicylic will do that to tender skin.
Melamin: smells like HQ. Nothing too much to say about it since it is what it is. However, when I was in California, it took me at least 5 minutes until this would soak into my skin. Now in Colorado, it's gone in 1 minute. At least it shortens the routine a bit.
Daily Power Defense: Can't say much about what it's doing, but it does feel good to apply. My skin soaks it up almost immediately.
Ommerse Overnight Recovery: Oh how I love this stuff. Thank goodness I can use some sort of moisture this round. I am using the full 2 pumps and it goes on thick. But it feels slightly cooling (which makes my skin happy) and it does take it about 10-15 minutes to really soak in. Love it.
Hydrafirm Eye Cream: It's ok. Since my eyes are so dry now anyway, I don't know if anything could make me happy at this point. I will continue to analyze.
Oclipse Tinted Sunscreen: I like it, with a caveat. I used it prior to start this regimen, and now that my face is peeling it actually makes my skin look worse than if I stop the process after the Eye Cream. The sunscreen sits on top of the dry flakes and makes them more obvious. Which then makes it more difficult to apply makeup.
Complex A + Melamix: obviously the HQ & Retin-A product which is making me look this way. So, I hate it.
I'm sure this is way too much information, but I thought I would share. I am going to call the Obagi Institute since I have a few questions, and I will report back with my answers. |
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Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:33 am |
| monique80 wrote: |
| I am getting a little scared lol... |
I already feel your pain. Enjoy the last few days of freedom. |
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Thu Aug 22, 2013 12:25 pm |
Just a short update.
After 1.5 days of being away from HQ & Retin-A, my face almost looks normal again. Apparently I was suffering from a pretty bad Retin-A burn around my chin and lips.
I met with a friend who is a PA at a derm's office and she suggested the following:
Aquaphor, Aquaphor, Aquaphor
At night, cleanse as normal. She gave me a few Journee samples to use of their more emollient cream as a moisturizer.
Give my skin a day or two to heal (yes, please)
She felt like the .1% Retin-A in the Complex A cream was a pretty harsh way to start the program. I am going to be using about half as much initially to ease into the system.
She also had a great tip I thought I would share: When applying topicals with HQ or Retin-A, etc, start from the outside of the face and work in. She mentioned that the areas around the chin, lips and even the eyes actually end up with more product (almost 3x) as our face moves and the products shift. Makes sense why I looked like the Joker. So I'll try that approach as well.
Just thought I would give the update. I'll be back to the ZO regimen over the weekend. |
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Thu Aug 22, 2013 12:30 pm |
| readyornot wrote: |
She also had a great tip I thought I would share: When applying topicals with HQ or Retin-A, etc, start from the outside of the face and work in. She mentioned that the areas around the chin, lips and even the eyes actually end up with more product (almost 3x) as our face moves and the products shift. Makes sense why I looked like the Joker. So I'll try that approach as well.
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Very interesting! |
_________________
No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:26 am |
Hi Ready or not, great to hear how your process is going. Also a great tip to start on the outsides of the face with application of Retin A. A tip I also have is Pycnogenol and MSM pills, these are all natural and have no adverse consequences, however my skin already looks a bit better after using them for two weeks now.
Tomorrow I will get my kit so I will definetely keep you informed about my progress as well.
Good luck and wish you the best! |
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