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.



Note: This posting and website is not intended to create a physician patient relationship. Please see your physician in person. This disclaimer applies to our other websites as well – feel free to visit: Plastic Surgery Modesto, Modesto Plastic Surgery, Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Surgical Artistry Modesto Vein Center, Acupuncture in Modesto, Plastic Surgery Stockton, Calvin Lee, Cosmetic Surgery Modesto.

I'm still using OBAGI... no peeling or major redness for me

I guess it is now safe to say that I didn't get much peeling or noticeable redness. This is unlike some of the others I've seen who have started OBAGI. So, not everyone gets peeling or redness. Obagi has become a routine and I look forward to using it. Yes... sunblock is very important.


Note: This posting and website is not intended to create a physician patient relationship. Please see your physician face to face. This disclaimer applies to our other web pages as well – visit at your leisure: Plastic Surgery Modesto, Modesto Plastic Surgery, Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Surgical Artistry Modesto Vein Center, Acupuncture in Modesto, Plastic Surgery Stockton, Calvin Lee, Cosmetic Surgery Modesto

OBAGI Open house event!

We are planning on discounts, prizes, food, and time to socialize! Come to our open house!

Surgical Artistry, Inc is going to have an open house event mostly centered around OBAGI medical skin care products and skin care topics on Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 (first Thursday of November) from about 9am till 4pm. We will have raffles/prizes/food and BIG discounts on OBAGI skin care products. Dr. Wu, Dr. Lee, and Surgical Artistry staff, and OBAGI staff will be present and available to answer questions at this event. For a list of other products that we carry (list isn’t complete) visit: Retail Products at Surgical Artistry and call (209) 551-1888 for any questions. Surgical Artistry staff and doctors will be available to talk in general about their entire range of services and products. This event is free and open to the public.

Date: November 5, 2009 (Thursday) 9am-4pm
Place: Surgical Artistry / Tammy Wu, MD Plastic Surgery office - 2336 Sylvan Ave. Suite C, Modesto, CA 95355, Next to post office on Sylvan.

More details: Obagi Open House


Note: This posting and website is not intended to create a physician patient relationship. Please see your physician in person. This disclaimer applies to our other websites as well – feel free to visit: Plastic Surgery Modesto, Modesto Plastic Surgery, Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Surgical Artistry Modesto Vein Center, Acupuncture in Modesto, Plastic Surgery Stockton, Calvin Lee, Cosmetic Surgery Modesto

OBAGI - I guess I didn't peel or turn too red.

I guess it is true. Not everyone who uses Obagi will get noticeable (negative) reactions in the beginning of the "out with the old" segment. Some people get some redness and some peeling. I on the other had haven't gotten much of any reaction to the product at all. This was also true for my mother who had started on OBAGI several years ago. I'm glad it was relatively painless (visually and physically) for me to start on OBAGI - I'm very happy with the product so far and have been seeing visible results!


Note: This posting and website is not intended to create a physician patient relationship. Please see your physician in person. This disclaimer applies to our other websites as well – feel free to visit: Plastic Surgery Modesto, Modesto Plastic Surgery, Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Surgical Artistry Modesto Vein Center, Acupuncture in Modesto, Plastic Surgery Stockton, Calvin Lee, Cosmetic Surgery Modesto

OBAGI - VISIA Improvements at 3 weeks

I've been on the Obagi Nu-derm system (their top of the line skin care product line) for about 3 weeks. Mostly improvements noted on the VISIA machine (skin care anlysis by computer) and some worsening of other parameters.

I decided to do a 3 week follow up VISIA skin analysis on the left side of my face. The comparison is from 9/18/09 to 10/10/09

VISIA IMPROVEMENTS:
I had improvements already in: Spots, Wrinkles, Texture, and Pores.

Spots went from 29% to 33% (improvement!)
Wrinkles went from 11% to 40% (big improvement!)
Texture went from 5% to 9% (improvement!)
Pores went from 2% to 3% (slight improvement)


VISIA "Step back" (worsening results):
Red areas and Brown Spots got worse! But keep in mind this is only 3 weeks of using the product and we are in the first stages of getting used to the product.

Red areas: went from 48 to 74 for a feature count
Brown spots went from 160 to 183 for a feature count

Taking a step back on these items in order to take steps forward. This is common as I've heard from our aestheticians that there are increases in Red areas - as there is some inflammation in this phase of "Out with the Old." I'm not sure why I have a worsening of Brown spots, but we shall see what the trend shows.


Note: This posting and website is not intended to create a physician patient relationship. Please see your physician in person. This disclaimer applies to our other websites as well – feel free to visit: Plastic Surgery Modesto, Modesto Plastic Surgery, Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Surgical Artistry Modesto Vein Center, Acupuncture in Modesto, Plastic Surgery Stockton, Calvin Lee, Cosmetic Surgery Modesto,

OBAGI open house at Surgivcal Artistry (our office)

We have decided on a date for our open house!

It will be on November 5, 2009 (Thursday) from 9am to 4pm. We'll have it all day during the day so that we get too crowded all at the same time.

More info about OBAGI open house.

4 phases of Obagi Transformation: Phase 1 "out with the old"

From the Obagi website:

The Four Phases of Transformation

Phase 1

OUT WITH THE OLD (Weeks 1-6)

Nu-Derm System penetrates to the deepest layer of your skin to correct signs of premature aging and acne flares

Old, dead skin cells are pushed to the surface and replaced with fresh cells

Itching, dryness and redness are possible side effects as your skin adapts to the system

Expect: Pigmented skin cells to become regulated, creating a more even toned appearance

My notes at week #2 (Today would be Day #14 for me).

I am almost in the middle of Phase 1. I have minor itchiness and minor redness. I have noticed that I do have more acne breakouts. This, as I've been told by many OBAGI Nu-derm users, is completely expected. I have heard this phase as "purging" of the old facial skin.




Note: This posting and website is not intended to create a physician patient relationship. Please see your physician in person. This disclaimer applies to our other websites as well – feel free to visit: Plastic Surgery Modesto, Modesto Plastic Surgery, Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Surgical Artistry Modesto Vein Center, Acupuncture in Modesto, Plastic Surgery Stockton, Calvin Lee, Cosmetic Surgery Modesto