How does OBAGI work? Hydroquinone mechanisms of action and info about tretinoin.

In this post, I'm just going to address the hydroquinone mechanisms of action:

Topical application of hydroquinone produces a reversible
depigmentation of the skin by inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation
of tyrosine to 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) and suppression
of other melanocyte metabolic processes.

There's also Tretinoin in the complete OBAGI system.

Below is copied from a response Dr. Wu had written in a question posed on RealSelf.com

Just a little more about Retin-A:
Retin-A / Tretinoin provides a light form of chemical peel that exfoliates the skin, enhances collage production (minimizes wrinkles), and evens skin tone (a treatment for hyperpigmentation).

Retin-A is the brand name for Tretinoin and is a topical prescription medication. Retin A can make your skin more sensitive to the sun; thus sunscreen/sunblocks are highly recommended adjuncts. Avoide sunlamps and tanning beds. We recommend avoiding areas of wounds, eczema, and muscosal areas such as the eyes, mouth, and nose. We also have our patients use tretinoin at night instead of in the morning because of the increased sun sensitivity during the day. When we start a patient on tretinoin, we usually have them start every other night for the first 2 weeks then increase to every night. We would like to personally monitor a patient's progress with this medication. We carry a skincare line in our office - Obagi - which utilizes tretinoin.

Our most common dosages of tretinoin that we prescribe in our Modesto, California office is 0.1% or 0.05%. Tretinoin is also available as a 0.025% strength.

Retin-A/Tretinoin works by thinning the outermost layer of the skin - the stratum corneum, while cells in the epidermis are stimulated to produce a thicker epidermis layer. Collagen production and cellular growth in the dermis layer also increases. These changes are fully appreciated after about 2 months of continued use. At that time one would see improvement with acne, hyperpigmentation, pore size, and texture. Continued daily use is recommended to keep these improvements, and some skin care specialists recommend a modified maintenance route with Retin-A/Tretinoin.

Retin-A has been used to treat acne and for skin rejuvenation purposes. It is not known whether Retin-A is harmful to an unborn baby or nursing baby. Talk to your doctor in person about using Retin-A, especially if you are pregnant or just delivered your baby.



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