 Obagi
Advanced Skin Care Program --
Moisturizer Addiction
By Peter
T. Pacik, MD, FACS
One of the first
questions we ask our skin care patients is to describe the skin care
program they currently use. Often, they discuss the various moisturizers.
The moisturizing industry is a large one, with a vast array of moisturizers
to make the skin feel good. People with dry skin suffer the most, and
often use moisturizers frequently during the day.
Moisturizing this
frequently can be self-defeating for a number of reasons:
- Turnover of the
skin cells is slowed, slowing down the normal skin cycle
- Too much moisturizing
does not address the basic problem of skin damage due to ultraviolet
radiation, smoking and aging.
- Moisturizing
slows exfoliation, instead of enhancing exfoliation.
The MD Forte and
Obagi Advanced Skin Care Regimens both address these issues.
MD Forte
The MD Forte program
is effective because the higher levels of glycolic compounds (up to
30%) and the antioxidants Vitamin A, C and E work together to enhance
skin turnover (exfoliation) and restore health to the skin. Most of
our patients are on the MD
Forte Advanced Skin Care Regimen and have been able to achieve
healthier, younger looking skin.
Obagi Nu-Derm
The Obagi Nu-Derm Advanced Skin Care Program of skin conditioning and
health restoration uses exfoliants to shed the surface dead cells,
hydroquinones (bleaching creams) to even out the pigmentation, and
Tretinoin (Retin-A) to restore health and thickness to the deeper
collagen layer. The system actually causes a drying of the skin during
the early weeks of use to encourage more rapid cellular turnover,
as noted clinically by flaking of the skin. As the skin health is
restored, moisturizers are no longer needed because the skin's natural
hydration has been restored.
Some people complain
of "sensitive skin." Sensitive skin is often caused by sun
damage, and can be markedly improved with the Obagi Nu-Derm Advanced
Skin Care Program. For patients with sensitive, sun damaged skin, we
introduce the program slowly to allow the skin time for proper conditioning.
As the program continues, the skin becomes less sensitive and the products
can be used daily.
On a personal note,
my own skin has always been very dry, made worse by the numerous outdoor
activities I enjoy. I used a heavy moisturizing cream for many years
and sometimes had to reinforce with petroleum jelly! My fingers had
problems with cracked skin from the numerous surgical scrubs, handwashing
between patients and winter dryness. For the past 3 years, I used the
MD Forte products, interspersed with LRS, Kinerase and Replenish Hydrating
Cream. With the MD Forte skincare program, I saw a marked improvement
my skin's health. I am now using the Obagi Nu-Derm products and find
no need for moisturizers! My face and hands are soft and cracked skin
is history.
Caution: Any
strong exfoliating system requires the use of sunscreens because of
the increased vulnerability to sunburn. We offer a number of "full-spectrum" sunscreens
for sale through our Web site SkinCare-MD.com.
The Obagi program
is an aggressive program. You can expect a variable amount of skin
irritation during the first 6 weeks, which improves during the second
6 weeks. The last 6 weeks are the easiest, because by now your skin
is well conditioned to the products, and you can see the results of
your efforts. I would advise calling our esthetician, Lisa Roberge,
to get more information before starting, and to help you choose the
correct products. Lisa is available during office hours Monday through
Thursday 9-5, Friday 9-4 EST at 1-877-415-0600 or (603) 669-0290.
Please note that the safety of the Nu-Derm Skin Care System has not
been established for pregnant or nursing mothers; therefore, should
be avoided at these times.
For more detailed
information on the Obagi
Nu-Derm System and on the Obagi
Nu-Derm System Daily Regimen, please visit our skincare Web
site. All of our previous educational e-mails on the Obagi Nu-Derm
Advanced Skin Care Program can be viewed in the Newsletter
section of our Web site. Our plastic surgery Web site www.plasticsurgerypa.com now
contains a Before
and After photo gallery that shows results on patients who
have used the Obagi Nu-Derm System as well as personal testimonials.
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