Why am I not peeling 3 days after an Obagi Blue Peel? (photo)

  It is hard to say for sure.   But most of my patients begin peeling 3-5 days after the Obagi Blue Peel.  I think that you will still peel.  But if you do not get the results you are seeking, and given the amount of photoaging visible on the photo, perhaps you might consider a deeper resurfacing procedure next time. 

There are many variations of a Blue Peel. Our office specializes in Blue Peels in Los Angeles and most peels will result in skin peeling several days after treatment. We employ Melarase creams after the peels to enhance the effect.Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

From the picture you have provided, it looks like you are ready to peel very soon. Resist the temptation to actively peel the dried skin. Moisturize your skin and be patient. You will like the outcome in a week or two. 

Dr. Obagi formulated the Blue Peel over 2 decades ago. It is tried and true but works best in those patients well prepared prior to the chemical peel. Preparation of your skin induces the cells to "anti-age", ie reverse the process of aging by improving cell function and cell development. It will look better, function better, become less sensitive and heal faster. Preparation of the face includes: cleansing the face of make-up, oil and other surface debrisscrubbing the outer epidermis to remove the toughest outer layer allowing more even penetration of the medications.balancer / toner to even out the pH or acidity of the skin or remove oils which affect penetration and efficacy of the medications.At this point, the much older generation of NuDerm has been superceded by ZO Skin Health. It is plant based and provides further, anti-oxidation, cell membrane and DNA repair, and multiple levels of defense. For those who respond poorly or in a contradictory manner to tretinoin and hydroquinone, retinol and non-hydroquinone pigmentation controls are now available. The active component, TCA, trichloracetic acid has the ability to penetrate the skin progressively. The skill involved by the peel expert is to determine when to stop the penetration process. The "Blue" is a coloring agent and slowing medium to assist the "peeler" in providing proper and even penetration of the Controlled Depth Peel.Poor preparation will create uneven surfaces of penetration, poor hydration of the skin, poor peeling and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Inadequate penetration of the "peel" yields uneven peeling results, more inflammation with itching and redness and therefore slower healing and peeling.You can see that the science is in the use of the medications and techniques, the art is in the physician selection and management of the "anti-aging" process. It does take time, but it is faster than the 60 years it took to get to this point. There are some options to hasten the healing process. Each "peeler" is different. It is best to return to your physician for proper monitoring. I wish you the very best!

Everything that you described sounds very normal.  Most patients begin the peeling process within 3 to 5 days, depending on the skin type.  We recommend pretreating the skin for 4 to 6 weeks prior to the Blue Peel to receive the best possible results.