| Author |
Message |
|
|
|
Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:40 pm  |
| Why do I hear from various posts that it is not a good idea to stay on the program for to long. Does that not defeat the purpose of the program. Iam finishing up th 18 weeks and plan to go on maintenance. I love my new skin and don't want to go back to the way it was |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:04 pm |
| I have been using Obagi for 3 years. I am on maintenance now and don't think I would ever stop completely. I would be afraid my skin would go back to the way it was. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:51 pm |
Hi redhead,
I think the concerns about using Obagi long-term center around the hydroquinone products. There are questions about some of the possible effects of using hydroquinone for an extended period of time. I know there has been some discussion about it here on the board so if you search "hydroquinone" you'll probably come up with more info. HTH! |
_________________
32 years old, combination skin, working on lots of age-related changes (fine lines, dull skin, hyperpigmentation) since I hit the big 3-0. Loving the 302 line. |
|
aseanpal
New Member
 
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 3
|
|
|
Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:45 pm |
hi,
i will be starting with obagi nuderm skin line system by tomorrow. many of the reviews i read are all about the wonderful transformations of your skin with obagi.
retinoid compounds (vitamin a derivatives, e.g. retin a) are mixed with obagi blender to give yo the peeling effect which in turn "fine-tunes" your skin to exfoliate at a much faster rate. many of us are expecting a miracle "overnight" skin which unfortunately is impossible at the start of a skin care treatment. you will only begin to recognize the effect after 6 weeks which is the normal time your skin completes 1 "skin cycle". so if you are starting with obagi, or any products, you will ultimately judge the performance of whether or not, your skin regimen is good or rather effective.
Vitamin A derivatives have long been studied since Retin-A came into existence in the early 80's. It was used to treat acne on a premise that an abnormal skin cycle (e.g. delay in your skin's ability to shed off, excessive oil gland secretion and etc.) will lead to acne breakout. Come to think like this, your skin does not shed (microscopically) in a normal way leading to blockade of your pores plus, excessive oil production (genetics, hormonal imbalances, etc) adding up a bacterial infection on the pore site = acne. No wonder pro-active is saleable because of its benzoic compound that kills bacteria. (another way of treating pimples)
This is the reason behind why we have break-outs in an inflammatory or non-inflammatory way. Inflammatory effects are seen as "acnes" and the non-inflammatory types include your whiteheads and blackheads.
Now, if you start using retinoids to treat you acne, a typical abnormal skin cycle will be regulate by this compound which is actually increases your skin's exfoliation process = peeling in macrosizes (micro, for the normal skin shedding which is typically not recognizable by your naked eye).
Whiteheads on the other hand, are a possibility for acne formation. Once there is an abnormal skin cycle with a more than the usual oil production, whiteheads set in. Add it up with bacteria leads to acne.
So, we head up to the basic norm of using retin-A or tretinion preparations to help prevent your acne/whitehead/blackhead break-outs by increasing your skin cellular turn-over faster which is effective for individuals with skin problems due to an abnormal skin renewal skin cycle.
in my way of understanding, obagi is one the possible intervention to treat our skin conditions.
However, one thing is clear. After your acne is gone, you will be left with mark due to hyperpigmentation/darkness of the scar. Hydroquinone comes in. It is the only FDA approved product for skin lightening but with doctor's prescription, and same as true with retin-A. If you do not know how to use these products, it is best to consult your dermatologist or certified aesthician before using formulas with these contents.
I hope this helps us in little way i can..  |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:24 am |
| red head wrote: |
| Why do I hear from various posts that it is not a good idea to stay on the program for to long. Does that not defeat the purpose of the program. Iam finishing up th 18 weeks and plan to go on maintenance. I love my new skin and don't want to go back to the way it was |
red head
I was not the brightest light on the tree and decided to forgo the maintenance aspect of Nu-Derm, basically using all products everyday for 3 yrs. My new aesthetician just about fell out of her chair when I told her. Apparently, using hydroquinone for extended periods is not good as it thins your skin.  I do believe that maintenance 2x's a week will keep the results that you have obtained. I am looking into 2 new Obagi products #3&5 that have Arbutin not hydroquinone. I am hoping I will be able to use those daily. |
_________________
mid 40's, blonde, blue eyes, normal skin, DIY skin regime, AALS - biggest problem undereye - getting much better with AALS & DIY serums. |
|
babiixolinny
New Member
Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 1
|
|
|
Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:50 pm |
| when using the obagi line there are skin lightners in it .. so I was wondering if anyone ever tried using a sunless tanner? because i wasn't sure if it would bleach out part of your face that the sunless tanner would be used in? |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:29 pm |
| I didn't know hydroquinone thinned your skin. how does it thin the skin? |
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:44 am |
| I don't know but I was surprised when she told me that because I know the retin-a thins the top layer of your skin while building the below layers. I assumed that the hydroquinone simply bleached the skin. I need to do some research and I will let you know what I find. |
_________________
mid 40's, blonde, blue eyes, normal skin, DIY skin regime, AALS - biggest problem undereye - getting much better with AALS & DIY serums. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:56 am |
| thanks for the links alley. i read through that second link. scary. it certainly makes me want to take it easy. it said it can cause aging and break down collagen and the skin to lose ability to repair itself, i guess that would thin the skin? that soot colored skin disorder doesn't sound too pleasant.though that sounds extremely rare. |
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:24 am |
| I know, I was a little unnerved by the whole thing. I am lucky and really don't have unmanageable hyper pigmentation issues so maybe 1 - 2 a week will be enough for me. I am certainly not going to use it any more than that. |
_________________
mid 40's, blonde, blue eyes, normal skin, DIY skin regime, AALS - biggest problem undereye - getting much better with AALS & DIY serums. |
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:10 pm |
Good to hear you had such great results!
But do keep on the maintenance program if you want to keep those results because as soon as you stop your skin will revert back to where it was before.
However, like another poster mentioned, maybe you can look into hydroquinone derivatives instead of using HQ itself because the long term side effects of such a chemical is unknown. If you search here, these was a debate about the toxicity of HQ and stories that long term exposure at a high % caused severe skin problems. I don't remember what the thread was called. |
_________________
Whatever you do, do it with passion and conviction...even if it means spending a couple hundred on something you want but don't need! |
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:27 pm |
| i understand why people need to stay on maintenance for retin A. To keep cell turnover increased. but why do we need to stay on obagi/hydroquinone. when the spots are gone, aren't they gone. will they return? or does a good sunscreen and the retin A alone keep your skin nice after the origional program? I guess i have always been confused as to why continue the hydroquinone |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:51 am |
Petu here is what the scientists say
Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light will cause repigmentation of bleached areas which may be prevented by the use of various broad spectrum sunscreen agents.
When the affected area has faded to the desired degree, hydroquinone should be applied only as often as needed to maintain that desired effect. The effect usually lasts for 2-6 months after stopping use of the hydroquinone. |
_________________
mid 40's, blonde, blue eyes, normal skin, DIY skin regime, AALS - biggest problem undereye - getting much better with AALS & DIY serums. |
|
|
|
|
Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:02 am |
thanks for the info Alley,
I guess i wasn't very informed. I thought that the bleaching of hyperpigmentation was permanent. and that maintenance was to keep new ones from forming. That is upsetting that it just comes right back |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:55 am |
No problem. I love these forums, it is a great place to share info.
I think the biggest thing is sunscreen and hopefully once a week for the hydroquinone will be adequate for maintenance. |
_________________
mid 40's, blonde, blue eyes, normal skin, DIY skin regime, AALS - biggest problem undereye - getting much better with AALS & DIY serums. |
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:18 am |
| I'm new to this forum. However, I've used Obagi for 2 months and then stopped because I was frightened by the hydroquinone factor. But it seems like from this forum, it is alright to use for the 18 wks and then maintenance. I have a question to all Obagi users, has anyone tried the Nuderm products that don't have the Hydroquinone, I know that EDS sells the I believe it's the Clear and Blender w/o it now? And if so, have you noticed any difference compared to the original formulation? Thanks for your help! |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:12 am |
If you stick with Obagi and do your regimen, you will have fantastic results by the time yiou reach week 12!  |
|
|
|
|
| Thu Aug 07, 2025 6:18 pm |
If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.
Click Here to join our community.
If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site. |
|
 |
|
