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Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:18 am  |
I keep putting it off. I dont fear the uglies of starting the line but fear the idea of using a HQ product for the rest of my 40+ years.
I use a retin-a, a vit.c serum from css and a physical sunblock and I just dont see the difference in my skin I was hoping for. I have been on this regimine for over 8 months now.
Is it possible that there may be something that will produce the same results as obagi nu-derm without th HQ??? |
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Fri Jun 10, 2011 6:47 pm |
| It depends on what you hope to achieve and what your issues are. For me it was the HQ4% that really made a difference in helping to fade pigmentation issues and to even out my skin tone. I was already using retin A prior to Obagi Nuderm, it helped to improve the clarity and texture but it was the combination and the regime of the Obagi products that really helped to take my skin to the next and better level. |
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Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:39 pm |
| Well my issues with my skin are trying to even out my skin tone. I am 34 and yet my skin has so much pigmentation due to the fact that I am super photosensitive and I had done peels without protecting my skin so it is about 3-4 shades darker than the rest of my pale skin with darker blotchy spots but I dont have melasma. |
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Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:15 pm |
| HQ4% is used to treat pigmentation issues ranging from melasma, sun damage to PIH. 4%HQ is a medical strength grade which is why it is so effective. It has been, despite so much controversy to it's long term usage to be the Gold standard by dermatologist to treat pigmentation concerns. The combined use of HQ4% along with retin A is the most effective product. It took me a long time to realise this and when I started using Obagi which uses this protocol I finally started to get real results. There are other alternatives available but I've yet to read of how really effective they are. I know it can be a bit scary about the long term use of HQ. In the end, it has to become a personal decision on it's safety. |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:09 am |
| luvskincare wrote: |
I keep putting it off. I dont fear the uglies of starting the line but fear the idea of using a HQ product for the rest of my 40+ years.
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Some people don't have to continue with maintenance. We are rare, but there are those of us who can use Nu Derm, and then maintain our results with quality products (meaning Retin A and sunscreen as the most important). I cannot stay on HQ as it elevates my liver enzymes. I did 3 cycles of Nu Derm (18 weeks once a year for 3 years) and I have no more pigmentation. I haven't used Nu Derm for at least 1 year. Just to give you something to think about. 
That said, I have researched HQ and do not believe it is as dangerous as some make it out to be. The studies that were done used extremely high percent of HQ and if I am not mistaken there was also a study where they ingested the HQ. These are totally different than the 4% HQ that Nu Derm uses. In the end, like fongflyer said, you have to make your own decision on the safety factor.
(Just an FYI, as it is never talked about, but HQ is also a great ingredient for anti-aging. I will see if I can find the study on that and post it.) |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:10 am |
| I love that!!! If I could eventually stop using HQ at some point that would make it worth it to me. I will never stop with retin-a but I dont think I want to use HQ forever. |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:28 pm |
| How about the Obagi FX bleaching cream which contains arbutin instead of HQ. |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:17 pm |
Dee28, arbutin is a very safe natural product that inhibits the formation of melanin, the causes of pigmentation issues. I think Obagi containing arbutin in some of there products instead of HQ is to give people a alternative choice especially if HQ is a health concern. Also in certain countries like Australia, parts of Asia and Europe products over 2%HQ are prohibited. Products containing 4%HQ are not available in these countries, therefore unless there was a alternative, Obagi couldn't be marketed or available at all.
The interesting thing is, I have yet to find a post on EDS on Obagi FX cream and it's effectiveness in comparison to the HQ cream. It therefore makes me wonder how effective it is? I assume it does work because research has shown it does, but results may take longer to achieve than with HQ.
luvskincare, I agree with rileygirl, retin A and sunblock is best way to inhibit pigmentation issues in the long term. I only wish that I had been more attentive to using sunblock in my early years. |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:51 pm |
| I used the FX blender and clear. in fact it doesn't work as fast as HQ But does work |
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Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:43 pm |
| has, thanks for the feedback..now I know. I didn't think it would work as fast as HQ, especially at 4% |
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Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:21 am |
| fongflyer5 wrote: |
The interesting thing is, I have yet to find a post on EDS on Obagi FX cream and it's effectiveness in comparison to the HQ cream. It therefore makes me wonder how effective it is? I assume it does work because research has shown it does, but results may take longer to achieve than with HQ.
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I've used both Obagi Blender HQ and Obagi Blend FX and felt they worked equally well. That said my melasma is a mild case, so not sure how effective it would be for moderate to severe cases. |
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Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:40 am |
| Dee28, I appreciate your feedback on Obagi Blend FX. I'm sure it will help other who prefer not to use HQ to help with pigmentation concerns. It's good to know that it worked in your situation. |
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Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:59 am |
has & Dee28: Thank you for your feedback.
I have concerns about using the HQ long term and will need to repurchase more clear and blender before my 18-24 wks are up, I was wanting to move over to the FX, but now I'm thinking that it may slow down my progress? Do you think that I should continue with the RX until maintenance and then making the switch? |
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Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:25 pm |
| angelofthenorth wrote: |
has & Dee28: Thank you for your feedback.
Do you think that I should continue with the RX until maintenance and then making the switch? |
That seems like a good idea to me. Then the combination of the FX Blender/Clear and good sunscreen should be enough to prevent the re-occurence of your melasma. |
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Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:35 pm |
| rileygirl wrote: |
| luvskincare wrote: |
I keep putting it off. I dont fear the uglies of starting the line but fear the idea of using a HQ product for the rest of my 40+ years.
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Some people don't have to continue with maintenance. We are rare, but there are those of us who can use Nu Derm, and then maintain our results with quality products (meaning Retin A and sunscreen as the most important). I cannot stay on HQ as it elevates my liver enzymes. I did 3 cycles of Nu Derm (18 weeks once a year for 3 years) and I have no more pigmentation. I haven't used Nu Derm for at least 1 year. Just to give you something to think about.
That said, I have researched HQ and do not believe it is as dangerous as some make it out to be. The studies that were done used extremely high percent of HQ and if I am not mistaken there was also a study where they ingested the HQ. These are totally different than the 4% HQ that Nu Derm uses. In the end, like fongflyer said, you have to make your own decision on the safety factor.
(Just an FYI, as it is never talked about, but HQ is also a great ingredient for anti-aging. I will see if I can find the study on that and post it.) |
Rileygirl, I would be interested in seeing that study. Thanks!
*Luvskincare: I really agree with what the other posters are saying about HQ. Nuderm is the best program to use in regards to pigmentation issues. When you are on maintenance, you could also look into a product with 2% HQ, which is sold over the counter. Let us know what you decide! |
_________________
50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:32 am |
I just finished 20 weeks with NuDerm minus the HQ. I have seen results but have decided that need the HQ to bump it up a notch. What about using HQ in the summer? I live in a beach community in the southeast. I have small children who like to play sports including surfing or boating. I wear a great sunscreen and always a hat.
Even if I wait until after summer for the HQ, should I continue with the retin a? I certainly don't want to cause more damage. |
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Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:38 pm |
| InSweetTime wrote: |
I just finished 20 weeks with NuDerm minus the HQ. I have seen results but have decided that need the HQ to bump it up a notch. What about using HQ in the summer? I live in a beach community in the southeast. I have small children who like to play sports including surfing or boating. I wear a great sunscreen and always a hat.
Even if I wait until after summer for the HQ, should I continue with the retin a? I certainly don't want to cause more damage. |
InSweetTime,
Defintely continue with the retin a! Sounds like you have a fun summer! |
_________________
50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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