Hoping to Survive Obagi and Retin-A - Long Beach, CA

I also wanted to add that after I thought applying on the eye area was ok, I was wrong. Although from my reading, there are a few who applied to the eye area to get rid of saggyness. I was redirected however to apply Only as far to the bony structures of the eye. I also read that Retin-A travels towards nearby skin. So applying away from the eyes and away from the corners of mouth and nose.

In my reading, If the Retin-A comes in contact with moisture... Irritation And sores might occur. One thing I don't want to compound in my already irritated dry flared face! So I am proceeding with caution. Scared but still hopeful.

Day 4
Experienced severe dryness all day. Face itched real bad. Applied La Mer moisturizer and experienced a really bad irritation. Tonite I followed the Obagi skin care regime for night time and skipped the Retin-A. I also used an oil free moisturizer I had. I felt a stinging at first but skin felt more accepting to this moisturizer. BTW after washing face and applying the products my faced remained taut and mask like. I was afraid my skin was going to crack open. Couldn't move my face. Also no stinging felt with the clear and blender products.

I found out that the La Mer moisturizer was not oil free!!!! And maybe that's why I was heaving this irritation. I'm thankful I quickly found out about this! I'm thinkIng that if I hadn't La Mer would clogged up my pores and make my face break out!

So thankful and feel a little hopeful that my treatment will work out. I just hope these little bumps aren't pimples forming but irritation from the La Mer.

ObAgi and Retin-a

Day 1
Microdermabrasion in the am

Night 
Started ObAgi system with Retin-a

Day 2

Looked sun-kissed
No pain no itchiness no sting

Applied a little to eye area where entire face was indicated

Chin area is peeling

Day 3

Woke up eye lids swollen
Face looked swollen
Still light pink
Alot of skin peeling t/o face especially chin area

Am morning routine

Washed face with cleanser
Used circular motions to gently rub the face to rid off the dry skin

Skin felt really tight before toning

A liitle better after toning

Applied skin regime and felt burning sensation with clear and exfoderm

I expected this would burn a little since there were so many new skin under all of the dead skin that just came off 

Applied  Aveeno 85 SPF
Still had burning sensation on face

Face has a sunburn look
Not too badly burn but pictures seemed twice worst than how my face really looked

Swell on eye lids are going down

Day 4

Last night washing my face with Obagi cleanser had a stinging painful sensation.  Just before washing my face I was removing dead skin off my face and maybe rubbed my face a little harsh which may have contributed to the stinging when washing.  Obagi cleanser they say is mild and gentle.  

Toning, and applying the rest of the PM Obagi products hurted so much I just wanted to cry.  I skipped 0.1% Retin-a  last night.  I've decided to decrease my use of Retin-a to every 2 days.  Let my face calm down because my face got extremely red while applying the products.

I normally put on moisturizer after Obagi but didn't last night.  My face is so dry but I was afraid maybe my moisturizer would make my face worst.

Burning and pain went away.

Woke up this morning with face really  tight dried and not too red.

I washed my face with the Obagi cleanser and use my fingers in circular motion  making sure I do not apply pressure.  Any dried skin that sloughed off I just washed away but definitely no rubbing no friction on my face.  I didn't feel any pain or burning sensation.

I waited awhile for my face to dry before applying the toner.  

The clear cream and exfoderm stung a bit.  I applied a thin layer all over.  Making sure I applied to areas where I notice weren't red or pink.  

Yesterday I had an even pink to red reaction to my entire face.  However today I notice that some areas had a clearness to the skin and not at all red nor pink.  I am wondering if maybe when I applied the Retin-a the other night that I missed areas on my face.  

I applied the sunscreen provided by Obagi and because my face was extremely dry, it was hard to evenly spread the cream on because the dead patches of dry skin just either grabbed on to the cream and since I didnt want to rubbed my skin I had to use extra amount of sunscreen to apply to the rest of my face.  Taking my son to school I must have look like a ghost or a clown.  Lol ... It must have been not so bad because my son hasn't said a word to me.

Keeping my humor up but I am so scared!  My face looks like I  have big patches of orange leather.  

I am moisturizing heavy.  I hope it isn't contraindicated.  I bought this moisturizer and skin gel from La mer awhile back and stopped using them because they were extremely heavy on my skin.  I started using La mer again hoping to alleviate the redness and dryness from the Obagi Retin-a program.  I'm also using their eye cream since my eyes are inflamed.

I hope I'm doing the right thing.   I'm trying to hold up but feel like this maybe be a mistake for me.  I have read the reviews that these are to be expected however i hope what I have been doing so far is the right thing to do.  If anyone is reading this I would really appreciate any feedback.

I am 42 years old.  Asian.  I started using after my skin care specialist recommended Obagi and Retin-a 0.1% for my mild aging spots, uneven texture and skin color.  Mild acne scars to my temples.  Mild comedonic bumps.  Enlarge pores.  Developing fine lines on forehead and laugh lines.  Mild breakouts  before the time of month.

Wow after mentioning all of that ...I really want to make this work!