So you’ve probably heard about the Obagi skin care systems, but is the Obagi experience for you? Deep down inside, only you know your skin best – what you’ve done or haven’t done to it. Had too much fun in the sun, without the protective sun screen? And now you’ve got discoloration (hyperpigmentation), age spots, and/or fine lines and wrinkles? Can the Obagi skin care experience treat your skin damages? What are the Obagi skin care systems? You may find the answers below.
Obagi Skin Care Systems
Lots of questions. Here are your answers.
For starters, the Obagi skin care systems are intensive as they are prescription-strength treatments that can transform your skin at the cellular level, to target problems of hyperpigmentation, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, redness, and rough skin. Because the treatments last about 18-24 weeks, it’s best to just chat with your dermatologist first to see if the Obagi skin care system may fit you. But read on below to get more educated.
There are two systems currently available that target skin rejuvenation and correction, yet they look quite similar. What’s the deal?
Obagi Nu-Derm System
The Obagi Nu-Derm system is the original Obagi skin care system introduced to the market. Its main purpose is to target moderate to severe sun damage. Keep in mind that sun damage is what causes those annoying age spots, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other problems listed above.
Here’s a breakdown of the system –
For the step that has variation, your dermatologist should be the one to tell you which one fits your skin type best. Also, he/she should advise what your morning and night regimen should look like.
Step 1: Foaming Gel or Gentle Cleanser
Both are gel-based, soap-free agent to clean the skin by removing oil, makeup, and any impurities, while leaving the skin soothingly soft.
Step 2: Toner
As with most toners, this one also adjusts the skin’s natural pH so that the skin can absorb as much of the next step treatment as it can. The nice thing about this toner is that it won’t dry out your skin.
Step 3: Clear
This cream actually requires an Rx prescription to order, due to the 4% hydroquinone. The chemical is to remove hyperpigmentation and even the skin tone.
Step 4: Exfoderm or Exfoderm Forte
Either cream’s use is to exfoliate the old skin cell, so that new skin can grow. Exfoderm Forte is for more oily or rougher skins, since it contains alpha hydroxy acid – 6% glycolic acid and 4% lactic acid. Exfoderm just contains 3% milder plant acid called phytic acid.
Step 5: Blender with Tretinoin
The products in this step requires a prescription as well, as they are potent. Tretinoin is a topical acne treatment that would be prescribed by your dermatologist.
This step is to target those discolored areas of your skin.
Step 6: Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35, Physical UV Block SPF 32 or Sunfader SPF 15
All of them are pretty much sunscreens to protect you while you are out under the harmful sun rays, but each has slightly different ingredients. The Sunfader is the only one that requires a prescription, since it has the 4% hydroquinone.
Obagi Condition & Enhance
Technically, the Obagi Condition and Enhance System is designed as a post-treatment care for those who had undergone moderate to severe facial procedure. Meaning, if you’ve gone through a non-surgical procedure such as Botox or fillers , or a surgical procedure such as laser resurfacing or facelift, you would use the Obagi Condition and Enhance System to improve your overall rejuvenation.
Although this system may look very similar to the products stated for the Nu-Derm system, check with your dermatologist to determine which product line best suits your needs, and what your morning VS night treatment should be.
Here’s what this system is all about. So far, the products look suspiciously like the Nu-Derm lineup, except you don’t get to choose for Steps 1 and 4 in the Condition & Enhance line. The cleanser/foaming gel and Exfoderm/Exfoderm Forte are just merely assigned to either the non-surgical or surgical product line.
For post non-surgical procedure -
Step 1: Foaming gel
A soap-free agent that removes oil, makeup, and any impurities, while leaving the skin soothingly soft.
Step 2: Toner
Just as the Nu-Derm line, this toner adjusts the skin’s natural pH so that the skin can maximally absorb the next step treatment.
Step 3: Clear
This one also contains the 4% hydroquinone that requires a prescription. The ingredient is to correct discoloration and improve the skin tone.
Step 4: Exfoderm Forte
Exfoderm Forte is to remove the old oily and rough skin cell, containing alpha hydroxy acid – 6% glycolic acid and 4% lactic acid.
Step 5: Blender with Tretinoin
Same idea as the above for Nu-Derm. This step is to target skin discoloration, using the prescriptive ingredient of hydroquinone.
Step 6: Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35
Probably no different than the above described sunscreen.
For post surgical procedure -
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser
A milder gel-based, soap-free agent that cleans the skin by removing oil, makeup, and any impurities, while the skin soothingly soft.
Step 2: Toner
Same as for the surgical procedure, this toner adjusts the skin’s natural pH so that the skin can maximally absorb the next step treatment.
Step 3: Clear
This one also contains the 4% hydroquinone that requires a prescription. The ingredient is to correct discoloration and improve the skin tone.
Step 4: Exfoderm
This step is to exfoliate the old skin cell, so that new skin can grow, using the plant acid ingredient phytic acid.
Step 5: Blender with Tretinoin
Same idea as the above. This step is to target those discolored areas of your skin, using the prescriptive ingredient of hydroquinone.
Step 6: Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 or Physical UV Block SPF 32
Probably no different than the above described sunscreen.
Reactions to the Obagi Skin Care Experience
Whether you are using the Obagi Nu-Derm System or Condition and Enhance System, keep in mind that each person and his/her skin type is different. So that means you may react differently from another person by using either product line.
Usually when you’re starting out with Obagi for the first few weeks, your skin will peel and become red. Lips, mouth, cheeks, and eye areas may be impacted the most and at the earliest. The reward is, of course, more radiant and newer skin. You may also notice fading of discoloration further weeks down the line. Peeling and redness may or may not subside however.
Remember that the treatment lasts from 18 to 24 weeks. If the peeling and redness get worse, you may need to adjust your application and check with your dermatologist. To help with your treatment, make sure you stay out of the sun, and wear sunscreen and a hat.
Your Skin, Your Decision
So, are you ready for the Obagi skin care experience? Only you and your dermatologist can answer that question honestly. Good luck!
