Obagi-How long does the redness and peeling last?
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Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:29 pm

Bellastella wrote:

I have a quick question, I just hope someone would guide me. I have clear skin, no sun spots, just some fine lines around my eyes (crows feet, and one more than the other LOL) and some lines on my forehead...
Now, can I just use Retin A that I can buy from anywhere else? Maybe form obagi maybe from a pharmacy...what is the difference? In my country it is easy to get Retin A.

Whats so special about the obagi range? Do you really need to get the cleanser and toner, clear and everything else or, in my case, I could benefit with a natural cleanser and toner, vit C Serum and / or Retin A?
Thanks!

Hi bellastella,

In my opinion, if you have no issues with hyperpigmentation (sun spots, melasma, PIH- ps: I am so jealous!) the Obagi Nu Derm line is totally uncalled for. It is an aggressive albeit transformational program, however the most dramatic improvements are in overall skintone. The main components in the program (outside of the retin a) are the clear and the blender, both of which are 4% hydroquinone and ultimately work to inhibit melanin production. As effective as the hydroquinone can be, it does come with potential side effects, and I personally wouldn't incorporate them into my skincare routine unless I was suffering from discolorations- which I was.

If fine lines are your main issue, retin A will absolutely help, although it is a slow process and can take upwards of 6 months to begin to see results. The first several months of use can actually amplify the look of your fine lines as your skin adjusts to vit A. Retin A in cream form has the same active as the Obagi tretinoin, and while the formulations of the cream may differ slightly, the effect on your skin should be exactly the same. I have never used the Obagi tretinoin, but rather just generic Retin A prescribed by my derm.

I definitely recommend you use a good quality vit C serum daily, coupled with a gentle cleanser/moisturizer and retin A in the evenings, and MOST importantly and excellent broad spectrum sunscreen daily. The Nu Derm line is far too hardcore for your areas of concern Smile

Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:56 pm

Oh thanks so much then. I was really curious but no I am quite happy with my skin...no melasma. Sometimes a bit discoloured skin but not always. Do you think one should start with a Retinol ingredient cream or go straight to pure Retin A with prescription? Would you see any benefits if any, if one uses a retinol serum at night for instance?

free skin care · Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:57 pm

These threads are so helpful. I had to back off the Blender and RA tonight- my face was just on fire all day long and looked really burnt.
The flaking I don't mind as much as the feeling of hot fire when I apply certain ones of the product. It helps to read where others have gone through the same thing, and to know that there is light at the end of the Obagi tunnel. Cool

Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:10 am

So please someone help me...if I wanna start using retin A or retinol products...did you start with retinol products before going to pure retin A? I do have some fine lines although I am told its more dehydration than anything else...I m just sick of hearing people telling me not to start with Retin A and that I dont need it....I mean I am 38 soon and my lines are getting worse... Sad

free skin care · Sun Feb 03, 2013 8:04 am

Retin A can help your skin no matter your age, but you must do it properly.
You might want to start with an OTC retinol product and see how your skin responds.
If you want to go ahead to start with Retin A, you'll need a prescription in the US.
There is a world of difference between OTC retinol and prescription retinoids.

Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:08 pm

I am now in my fifth week and WOW! What a difference in my skin! I cannot believe how stunning my skin is already looking. It is worth all the pain and discomfort hands down. I am so thrilled. I stopped reacting around the end of the third week and then started reacting again at the end of the 4th week, so I am starting to peel like crazy again and the corners of my mouth are irritated again, but nothing like the first two weeks.

I can tell my skin is starting to get used to the products and I am seeing some new improvement every two or three days. I am due for my botox next week so I am excited to see how the botox and obagi work together. My PS routinely prescribes both regimens as they are a powerful combination for fighting aging and keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful. I am very pleased with the botox on its own and so far the obagi on its own, so looking forward to combining the results of both. Smile

LOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE OBAGI!!!!

Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:13 pm

Bellastella.. I am 37 and I have been doing botox for the past two years as a preventative measure. My face is virtually flawless now. It is so much better to start these kinds of programs now before you HAVE to use them. I am new to Obagi but man, what a difference already. I had a lot of uneven tone and sun spots (i live in florida) and now in my 5th week my skin looks like when I was 25.. no lie. I absolutely LOVE LOVE the results. I am reupping my botox next week so I get to see what doing both look like. But so far, obagi with the retin A is amazing!!

Sat Feb 23, 2013 5:57 am

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I'm now on day 5 of Obagi...I am peeling, red and sore. I started it to improve my acne prone skin (worse since having an IUD fitted a year ago) and I have just realised that I've been using the blender and the tret twice a day Shock

no wonder my face is sore!

So my question is, should I just leave it off tonight and ?moisurise? or what should I use. My routine should be
1. Clenziderm
2. Exfoderm
3. Blender + Tret
This morning the exfoderm felt like I was pouring lemon juice onto an open wound...how do you think I should tailor my regime for the next couple of days please

TThanks all

Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:57 am

Quick Update.. I had my botox injections yesterday and they were way more painful than any I have had in the past (have had a few years worth.) Also, I had swelling in the injection site, also a first. Normally there is absolutely no reaction. By the end of last night my eye area was a little swollen (I get 20 cc's injected under eyes and in between frown area on forehead- this is a very small amount in total.) I also started my Latisse regimen last night too, but I had to wait awhile after my PM routine to apply it because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to open my eyes today from the swelling! Well, this morning, most of the swelling is down, with just a little around my left eye and in one injection site around my frown area. But, for the most part, seems back to normal. I am feeling SOOO dry and pulled so tight from the Obagi (I am nearly at the 6 week mark), and I have to say at first I was loving the results, but now I am not so sure about it. I am sure that it's just the "uglies" phase, but it is a bit much.. I don't really look like myself at the moment. This could be from the bit of swelling from the botox, but I think I felt this way prior to my injections. My face just looks... hmm

.. really pale and sort of ashy. And I am italian with naturally olive skin! So, it seems a bit strange to me. I miss my tanned face. It feels a bit too light to me, but maybe it's my imagination?

My quest for perfection is never seeming to end these days. I am looking forward to the Latisse results, which if you're interested, I will post some pics of my progress once I am deeper into the protocol. Overall, still relatively happy with Obagi, but I can really do without the new acne all over my face, the redness around my mouth, the constant flaking, the pulled skin and looking 10 years older every day. Smile

Oh well.. 12 more weeks to go!!

Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:59 am

Hi all,

I am hoping you can help me with my Obagi Nu Derm question. I have just had an Obagi Blue Radiance Peel today (the pain!!) and my doc also switched me from Obagi ProC range to Nu Derm. My skin is generally pretty good. I have stubborn blackheads on my nose and chin and there is the constant fight against wrinkles (I am 36). I have some freckles but they don't bother me. I am very pale (redhead).

I have been using 1g of Retin A (0.1%) for over a year and my skin tolerates it well. She has given me the following regime:

AM
Foaming Face Wash
Toner
Exfoderm (start 4 days after peel)
Hydrate

I use Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup which has the required SPF

PM
Foaming Face Wash
Toner
Retin A (start 4 days after peel)

My question is whether or not these products will make me peel like some on the full program have? I am off for a girl's weekend in 2.5 weeks and I don't want peeling skin! Is it possible to skip some products to avoid the peeling and redness?

Many thanks!

free skin care · Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:48 pm

Welcome to this forum Treacle Smile

I feel your pain as I had this Blue peel myself through a doctor's office... It took approx. 10days-2 weeks to get rid of the peeling. The 2 products-- Obagi Exfoderm and Retin-A will make you peel... In approx 2 weeks, you will have new skin, and your skin will still be "red", so I strongly suggest you use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or more. The rest of the regime, I will wait AFTER the girl's weekend.... Let your skin recover first from this strong peel before you use the prescribed regimen..... Good luck! Smile

Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:15 pm

Thank you Jade. I will hold off until after the trip and then deal with the peelies Sad

The tinted moisturiser I use is SPF15 and the mineral powder is SPF20 and I have had good coverage with both (and I live in Bermuda, so no escaping the sun!). They are also great for covering redness which will come in handy by the sounds of it.

I am used to the Retin A and never peeled too badly with that, but the Nu Derm is a whole new ball game for me.

Thanks again for your help - I love this site!

free skin care · Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:24 pm

Treacle, you will need a stronger sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or more. Lower than that is a big no-no....

Treacle wrote:

The tinted moisturiser I use is SPF15 and the mineral powder is SPF20 and I have had good coverage with both (and I live in Bermuda, so no escaping the sun!).

Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:52 am

I have the Obagi SPF30 if I am actually going to be out in the sun (pool/beach/park) but for daily use I use the 15 and 20. According to my doc this is fine, she says the difference between 15 and 30 is negligible.

free skin care · Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:40 am

I agree with Jade- use the highest SPF sunscreen you can find and will wear. I use a high level zinc sunscreen, and even reapplying every few hours and wearing a hat, I still felt I was getting too much sun.
I use the Pratima sunscreen for the body. It's very soothing to my face, more like a moisturizer than feeling "heavy".
I am headed out of town for sunnier climates so will be off the RA and HQ for a few days.
Hang in there fellow Peel Princesses! Let me know what is going on with everyone's skin so I can be encouraged. Cool

Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:25 am

Okay, okay Smile

, I will upgrade my SPF when I start with the Obagi!

Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:16 am

I use the New Nu Derm 50SPF which is AMAZING.. it gives you a really nice irridescence and it hydrates your skin well enough to tolerate the dryness. I wouldn't step foot outside without 50 SPF on now that they have discovered a way to make it look clear and not white! Cover that skin ladies! Otherwise what's the point of doing this regimen?? (PS, I am now in my 7th week, and my skin is FABBBBBBULOUS!!! The peeling has all but stopped and my skin is just gloriously soft, clear and glowing!)

Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:31 pm

I am on my third day of using Obagi Nu Derm system and I see redness and some peeling. I don't understand how people get Obagi and then complain about the redness and peeling. Before you buy something, you should know what to expect. I did my research for long hours and I know for sure that my skin will be peeling like a snake. I know that my face will be red. I know of all the side effects but what I am looking forward to is the new beautiful clear skin afterwards so I am willing to handle all the side effects.
One thing you should know is that the skin cycle is 6 weeks. So after 6 weeks of using Obagi, you should be seeing new skin. If you continue to use obagi, this new skin will start peeling and 6 weeks later (week 12), you'll get new skin again. Then if you continue using Obagi, 6 weeks after (at 18 weeks), you would have finished the third skin cycle and got new skin again.
If you decide to stop using Obagi, you should either stop at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or 18 weeks. Don't stop in between because you would be left with some new skin and old skin where the old skin is peeling.
You may also do 6 weeks. Let your skin take a break for a week, then start the second cycle of 6 weeks and so on. It's up to you.
I hope that helps

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