Fall Cleanup:
Obagi NuDerm and MD Forte Skin Care Programs
By Peter T. Pacik, MD, FACS

As cooler September days signify the start of autumn in New England, it is a good time to assess some of the sun damage that may have occurred this past summer. After the age of 18, most of us exhibit some sun damage. Some people are more prone to this problem, such as people with fair, freckled skin, people who have a family history of skin cancers, and individuals who have exposed themselves repeatedly to intense sun. People with all skin tones are vulnerable to sun damage. For people with fairer skin, sun damage is generally noted by increasing brown spots, both in number and in size. People with darker skin may notice the onset of blue black areas of discoloration. Damaged skin is made worse by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, smoking, pollution, stress, alcohol consumption, diets, and other environmental toxins. Ultimately, the skin shows areas of early breakdown with scaling patches (actinic keratoses) which can lead to a variety of skin cancers .Established skin care treatment programs have been shown to restore health to damaged skin. These programs depend on a combination of physician strength products that cannot be purchased over the counter or in a spa.

Obagi Nu-Derm Skin Care System
The Obagi Nu-Derm Advanced Skin Care System is the gold standard for the correction of blotchy areas of hyperpigmentation due to aging and hormonal influences, while at the same time smoothing fine wrinkling of the skin. This more aggressive system contains the following vital ingredients:

• Glycolics for the rejuvenation of aging damaged skin by removing the outer layers of skin (exfoliation) and enhancing more rapid cellular turnover (resurfacing);
• Hydroquinones (lightening agents) to give more even coloration to the face by eliminating blotchy areas of hyperpigmentation.
• Tretinoin (Retin-A) to promote peeling (resurfacing) and to thicken the collagen layer by stimulating its blood supply (helps eliminate fine wrinkles).