Michelez

Obagi Nu Derm and Vi Peel - Seattle, WA

Ioana and Essieb - I finally am well enough to respond - health problems have kept me off this site for quite some time. Here's my update on Obagi, and all other "things" that I use to keep my face looking as good as possible at age 55 1/2 (yep, I'm now a year and a 1/2 older since my first post - c'est la vie). Here's is what I've done to keep myself looking younger since I first entered the world of "cosmetic" dermatology/plastic surgery. I've never had any type of surgery done on my face (just an FYI - I'm in practice with a plastic/reconstructive surgeon who is excellent, and I could have any surgery I want for free - that said, I've chosen to maintain my "natural" face, and opted out of something like a face, or eye lift). That said, I do believe in using products that will help me maintain a youthful look. The best product - and I still stand by this endorsement a year later - is the Obagi system. I will admit that the Retin A is hard to take on my sensitive skin (even a year later), but when used regularly my skin is beautiful - flawless, reduction in wrinkles, and all my "brown" spots are completely gone from sun damage. I continue to use the full line of Obagi to this day. I use clear every day (so that the brown spots don't return, and my skin tone remains even). I also use the Tretinoin every day, but use the Retin A product, with blender, about 3 times a week as every day is just too much for my skin. Additionally, I've used injectables such as Restalyn, Juvederm, etc., on my "laugh" lines and in my lips (minimal amounts applied and only once a year). Due to some of the injectables that I've used for many years (conservatively - notice I don't have a "trout" pout) my skin's ability to reproduce lost collagen has been restored and my wrinkles such as marionette lines (naso-labial folds are far less deep than they were when I was in my 40's). Some of the injectables last up to a year, and help your body over time reproduce the collagen that you lost (please research to find the products that do this as I can't remember which one's that were used). I had fine lines above my lips which have also disappeared, and improved over time with the use of injectables. Lastly, I have had injectable solutions applies around my eyes for crows feet, and the dark areas under the eye - I've had great results. Lastly, I use botox (btw - which doesn't last that long, and must be re-applied quite frequently - every 3-4 months) for small wrinkles in my forehead, and for a slight eye "lift" at the outer corners of my eyes. When administered correctly Botox does a great job a lifting the eyes, and getting rid of forehead wrinkles. I've got a great doctor that is very conservative, and that I've trusted for many years - her name is listed above. My face looks younger every year - and I recently saw a friend I haven't seen in 15 years, and she was amazed that I "looked the same" as I did 15 years ago. So there you have it - Obagi, and conservative injectables. I will not do any form of chemical peel (although I did do one regular Vi Peel, and really didn't have any long term improvement). I will not use lasers as I've seen a lot of bad outcomes especially from Fraxel lasers. I do use lasers for permanent hair removal (works great), and I've had one type of very mild laser to address some small broken capillaries on my face. Other than that no lasers, and no chemical peels as I've just seen too many bad outcomes. So, ladies of the "site" here is, yet again, my honest opinion after working many years in the medical industry, married to a doctor, and seeing every available "product, surgery or procedure" available. My outcome is based on my personal experiences. The best advice I have to give is to never, ever go to some "spa" for any of these procedures as these are strong products that can have adverse effects. I highly recommend only going to board certified physicians in either dermatology, or plastic/reconstructive surgery. My doctor is a plastic/reconstructive surgeon (honestly, I'd never probably go to just a dermatologist although some are quite good with injectables, and laser treatments). The second best advice I can offer is to make sure that your doctor has good reviews - do lots of research, and never go to a clinic that is offering "specials" as I find this to be a questionable practice to just get patients in a to a clinic that needs business. Remember you get what you pay for in this life - cheaper is not always better. This is your face, and any of these products, if used incorrectly, can have lasting adverse effects. Use common sense, don't overdo, and listen to the advice of a good physician. I hope my posting will help those of you that are still wondering what will work best for you. A shout out to Rhea who has some had some tough experiences that she can share - she is a wealth of information, and a beautiful soul. Best of luck to you all... Michele

Megan,

Please read my final Obagi review I think you might be surprised ;-)
Michele

BTW Ladies - Sorry for all the grammar errors I was beyond tired when I wrote last nights post, but I felt bad for being so tardy in my response to everyone. So...forgive me...

Michele

I'm sorry I've taken so long to respond to Syl, Worried and now Velvetee. I will answer the questions in order. Syl, if you look back at my posts I wasn't sure that I was very impressed with the Obagi system, but shortly after making that posts things really changed. It took about 3 months (one cycle of Obagi), and all of a sudden my skin's clarity improved, wrinkles appeared smaller, skin was smooth and soft (not like this since I was 20), and all my brown spots from sun damage were completely gone. In researching Obagi doctor's found that the "system" worked better as it had all the creams that are necessary to improving aging skin and its associated problems. Additionally, it "worked better" because it had all the necessary medications in one system: therefore female patients were more compliant in their usage as they didn't have to figure out how to make all these creams work, and what order in which to apply them. In summation, I think you should spend the money for the Obagi, forget about getting independent prescriptions, and see what you think. I bought my second round of Obagi on Tuesday (btw I use Tretinoin .05%), and the full package costs around $460.00 in Seattle. Honestly my skin looks better than it has in years. Warning, when you first start this program the Tretinoin and the Exfoderm Forte ( 6% glycolic acid and 4% lactic acid) along with the Tretinoin can cause sores, peelings, and general "ugliness." Please, please use common sense and if you're skin is having a hard time with the creams stop the Tretinoin and Exfoderm Forte for a few days to allow your sking to heal, and then resume. I had to do this quite a few times until my skin became acclimated to the product. I'm very happy with the results and my skin looks better than it has in years. My plastic/reconstructive doc told me to do a second 3 month round and then on the Obagi maintenance program - so that's what I'm doing - good luck

Worried - I've been working with plastic/reconstructive surgeons for over 25 years and I've never heard about the Melanage Peel. Here's what I know about peels unless you are very, very fair skinned you can have permanent discoloring from chemical peels, burns, scarring, and on and on. The only peel that I would put on my face is the Vi Peel (the now have a strong Vi Peel and I'm even reluctant to use that). Vi Peel is the only peel that can be used on women with all skin colors. I did a Vi Peel (one), and my skin looked good, but it wasn't a miracle. It did not get rid of my sun damaged brown spots, wrinkles, large pores, etc. - it did make my skin smoother, softer and clearer - not as rough. Vi Peel recommends using their peel every 3 months for a year. It's so easy you can actually do this at home following the directions carefully. You will look like hell for about 7-10 days with sheets of skin peeling off your face. I liked the Vi Peel, but I've had way better results with Obagi. Additionally, the down time of one week was really annoying - you look really bad after this peel. Try Obagi, first, then if your're still not satisfied tried a Vi Peel. Given I've never heard of the Melanage peel I can't offer an opinion, but do know that the majority of peels can have severe complications in the wrong hands. A chemical peel should NEVER be administered by anyone other than a physician - not an esthetician!!!!!!! I wish you look - if you must do a peel start with the Vi Peels.

Lastly Velvetee, as stated above I'm going on my second round of Obagi - which will be a total of 6 months then their maintenance regime. I've used fillers - none permanent (like lip augmentations, etc.). I love Radiesse as it lasts a really long time - you must make sure the right filler is used in the right area of the body. For example one filler that is great for creating volume in your cheek area causes lumps in your lips if used there. Do your due diligence, and read about all the fillers on the market. I don't love Botox as it doesn't last long, and the results are never exact. That said I get Botow about twice a years. Radiesse has been the filler that I'm happiest with as it actually rebuilds your own collagen and you need to use less filler over time. I now only go once a year for filler's, and make sure I go to a Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive surgeon. Additionally, my doctor is very conservative as I want a very natural look - I want to look good, but don't want trout pout, triangle face (Madonna), or a myriad of other problems. The two things I'm very afraid of due to their complication rates are lasers and chemical peels. I've seen some horrible permanent scarring from both these procedures, and as you read above I've only had ONE VI PEEL, and I wasn't that impressed. For another perspective on complications from laser peels read Rhea's post. Just remember plastic surgery, peels and laser treatments are serious procedures that in some case can disfigure you for life, and in the case of surgery cost you your life.

Obviously I'm not opposed to using a little help, but I really know the doctor's doing the work on me, I never go to medi "spas," I research extensively the procedure I'm going to have done, and I ask my doctor a million questions. Remember this is your face once the damage is done you can never go back. So...go slow, do your research, and go to the best doctor possible. Last, but far from least, if the price is so low it seems good to be true than it probably is - don't fall for specials, coupons - nothing. A doctor that does these things is not the doctor you want to see.

I hope I've answered all your questions, and have helped to educate you in this area.

Best Wishes Ladies...
Michele

Obagi Update:

Well, I've almost used all the Obagi products - a 3 month course - and I'm not so sure that I'm that impressed. Here's what happened - when I first started using it I found it to be extremely irritating to my skin, and turned my face in certain areas really red with a lot of peeling. I read many posts on this site in regard to Obagi and noticed that a lot of women complained of getting sores, cracks in their skin, etc. So... common sense told me to be careful, and to back off on the more irritating products (especially the Tretinoin) if my skin was getting too irritated. Over time, much time, my skin became more and more acclimated to the products, and eventually I was using them daily. That said, I also read that when you stopped using the "system" your skin would go back to it's dull, lifeless look (part of the aging process) and I wanted to see if that would happen to me.

Long story short, I went to Hawaii and while I was there I continued the hydroquinone, but stopped the Retin A and Tretinoin as they are contraindicated if there is sun. I used Obagi's sun screen and kept my face out of the sun. When I returned home I started using the full regime, again. Despite the fact I was only in Hawaii for 2 weeks it was like starting the regime all over again - sores on my face, extreme dryness, peeling, etc. I wasn't too happy with this whole mess yet again. I also noticed that in the 2 week time period my skin was rapidly going back to its previous "look."

Despite the above I figured after all the money I spent on this product I would finish out the course. My summation is this - Obagi did get rid of most of my dark brown spots, but I only had 3 small ones - so would it work for severe sun damage I'm not sure. I currently have 1 large "sore," and a couple smaller ones due to the irritation of the products. I also have had breakouts from using Obagi, and I've never had acne in my life. Does this product work - I'm really not sure, and for the price I think that you could just get prescription strength Retin A, hydroquinone and Tretonion (brand name possibly Renova - requires a prescription), and accomplish the same thing as the much more expensive Obagi system provides. Has my skin changed radically - the answer is no. I considered buying one more set, and doing another 3 month round to see it the improvement would continue, but after reading many, many articles it appears that once you stop using the product your skin ultimately goes back to the way it was before. So...I think that Obagi does work for some brown spots, does improve skin texture somewhat, but is not the "miracle" cure that the company claims it to be. This of course is just my personal opinion and everyone's experience is different. Also, it did absolutely nothing for any of my fine wrinkles. I think that the Vi Peel was more effective, but really does require more than one peel - probably the recommended 3-4 a year. Also, I believe that using the aforementioned products which you could get through a derm, or plastic surgeon, would accomplish the same thing as Obagi for a lot less money. In other words, Obagi is not a miracle cure for aging skin. The truth be told reasonable, and infrequent injections of fillers given in moderation, and general good skin care have given me better results than Obagi. I hope that this information has been helpful. Best of luck to all...