from the Winter 2000 issue
Obagi. You've probably heard the name before and probably wondered what it is. Pronounced O-BAH-GEE, it is a revolutionary system for restoring and maintaining healthy skin. It was developed by Dr. Zein E. Obagi, a Beverly Hills dermatologist who is one of the leading authorities in rejuvenation of aging skin. A multi-faceted system, it includes the Nu-DermTM line of skin-care products and the Obagi Blue Peel, a safe, effective chemical peel.
The Obagi approach is successful because it is built on the premise that beautiful skin starts with healthy skin. The Obagi system helps skin reclaim its health, taking advantage of the skin's amazing ability to renew itself. Every six weeks, skin can regenerate itself from the inside out. Healthy skin knows how to replace damaged cells and stimulate the growth of new, vibrant skin. All your skin needs is the right kind of treatment to help it remember how. The only way to truly rejuvenate your skin is to reach below the surface and work at the cellular level. That's where the vitamin A products come in. Tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative, works via retinoid receptors in skin cells to stimulate cell renewal and new collagen production.
The Obagi Nu-Derm system uses medically prescribed products in conjunction with tretinoin to restore the natural glow and elasticity of healthy skin. It repairs skin damage, improves lines and wrinkles, and creates a lovely, even skin tone. Most importantly, it stimulates skin at the cellular level to increase collagen and elastin and to renew the flow of natural moisture to the surface. It may even slow the aging process in the years to come.
Most of these benefits are due to the action of vitamin A (in the form of tretinoin or Retin-A) on the skin. The Obagi Nu-Derm products are a unique line of cleansers, toners, and creams designed to complement and enhance the benefits of tretinoin therapy. They combine exfoliating acids, skin bleaching agents, and an exclusive ingredient, Complex 272® (Saponins), which enhances the performance of the active ingredients.
In addition to the Obagi Nu-Derm line of products for home use, the Obagi Blue Peel performed in the office is a way to speed up the skin rejuvenation process. The Obagi Blue Peel is a light chemical peel that can help correct fine wrinkles, acne scarring, sun damage, pigmentation problems, and large pores. The 30-minute treatment can be performed in our office without anesthesia and is followed by mild swelling and peeling for 7 to 10 days. It uses trichloracetic acid (TCA) in a slow-acting blue base that serves as a visual guide, allowing one to clearly see the penetration of the peel as it is applied, until exactly the right depth is reached. Most of the blue color washes off immediately after treatment, and the remainder is gone within 24 hours.
Prior to treatment with the Blue Peel, the patient must prepare his or her skin for about six to eight weeks with Obagi Nu-Derm skin-care products. This preparation improves the results of the peel and also helps to prevent possible side effects such as hypo- or hyper-pigmentation. Because the Blue Peel is controllable in terms of how deeply it penetrates the skin, it can be used on darker complexions such as Asian, Hispanic, and African-American. It can also be used on parts of the body other than the face, such as neck, chest, hands, back, arms, and legs.
To better understand the Obagi Nu-Derm system, refer to this list of restorative features.
To see if the Obagi Nu-DermTM program or the Blue Peel is right for you, call 713.850.0240 to make an appointment.
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