Obagi Blue Peel

What is the Obagi Blue Peel?

We’ve all heard about chemical peels – procedures in which chemical agents are applied to wrinkled, scarred or otherwise damaged skin. After years of developing and testing by Dr. Zein Obagi, the Obagi Blue Peel® is a chemical peel unequaled in the field of aesthetics. It is a time proven method of skin rejuvenation superior to any other medical procedure that provides safety with excellent clinical results.

The Obagi Blue Peel® is a very effective procedure to maintain lifelong healthy skin renewal. It is considered a medium depth peel and can be designed to penetrate to the Immediate Reticular Dermis (IRD). Penetration to the IRD dramatically reduces wrinkles and causes skin tightening. It is comparable to having a face-lift without the surgery. The Obagi Blue Peel® removes layers of aged and damaged skin, and promotes the creation of healthy skin. The process smooth’s the surface of your skin, improves skin tone and color, diminish wrinkles, and shrinks pore size.

Basic Requirements

After you have reached the corrected phase in your Obagi Nu-derm™ Skin Health Restoration program, you can maintain your healthy skin for a lifetime. You and Dr. Williams will develop a regular maintenance regimen designed individually for your skin’s needs. By maintaining this skin health lifestyle, you will promote daily skin renewal , minimize damage, and retain your natural moisture. By maintaining a lifestyle of skin health, you will look younger and more beautiful, and your skin will tolerate cosmetic procedures better and heal faster following them.

In order to have the best results, we require all our patients to be on the Obagi Nu-Derm® system. Any patients with a history of herpes infection are required to take anti-viral medication beginning one (1) day prior to the procedure continuing up to seven (7) days after new skin is observed. Patients need also to be in generally good health without any serious medical disorders.

Ideal Candidate for Obagi Blue Peel

The ideal candidate is in good physical condition and has realistic expectations of what can be achieved with Obagi Blue Peel treatments. Those patientswith skin damage due to wrinkling, creases, blemishes, brown spots, acne scars or sun damage are good candidates. Obagi Blue Peel® treatments are effective in treating men and women of all ages, skin types and color.

Before	After

Other Considerations for Obagi Blue Peel

During your consultation, Dr. Williams will review your medical history and examine your skin type and pigmentation. Be sure to discuss your expected results and any history of viral infections, sensitivity to the sun or prior skin treatments. For optimal results, the practitioner will usually recommend that the entire Obagi Blue Peel system be implemented.

Before	After

What to expect

The Obagi Blue Peel® procedure is an outpatient procedure and it is done in our office. The majority of patients request anesthesia because it is a medium depth peel. Also, oral sedation and pain medications can be given. No general anesthesia is needed. If oral sedation is used patients will require another person to drive home after the procedure.

Dr. Williams prepares a mixture of Obagi Blue Peel® and TCA immediately prior to its application to the skin. Depending upon the depth of penetration, one to four layers may be applied. The patient may experience a warm, stinging sensation around the treatment area for two to three minutes. Our office utilizes a cooling device to assist in making the procedure tolerable.

After the treatment, the patient may experience mild discomfort and slight swelling for up to seven (7) days. Over the counter pain medication or stronger oral narcotics can be used if necessary. Peeling takes place within three (3) days and typically healing is complete within ten (10) days. The blue tinge will clear after one to two days. New skin will be slightly pink and will gradually fade over several weeks. Cosmetics may be applied after healing is complete. Sunscreen prior to sun exposure is a must.

Difference between Blue Peel and CO2 Laser

There are differences in newer ablative laser technology like the CO2 laser and the Blue Peel. While the clinical benefits are similar for the two procedures, the primary differences are the risk of hyperpigmentation and the fact that the Obagi Blue Peel® is good for all skin types. Also, the fee for the procedure is less because there is no expensive laser required that adds to the cost of the procedure.

	Blue Peel	CO2 Laser
DOWN TIME	7-10 DAYS	10 -14 DAYS
TOPICAL PAIN RELIEVER & SEDATION	REQUIRED	REQUIRED
RISK OF HYPERPIGMENTATION	EXTREMELY LOW	EXTREMELY LOW
WRINKLE REDUCTION	GOOD	GOOD
WHICH SKIN TYPE BENEFITS	ALL SKIN TYPES BENEFIT	PRIMARY CAUCASIAN (Great propensity for hyperpigmentation in ethnic skin)
RESULTS WILL LAST	3-4 YEARS	3-4 YEARS
FEE	$1000	$2000-$5000

Nu-Derm Transforms the Cellular Function of the Skin

Increases cellular turnover rate

Continually pushes fresh cells to the surface more quickly
Results: Even skin tone

Repairs intracellular transcription of keratinocytes

Causes basal layer of skin to produce cells that are more uniform
Results: Better skin structure

Reduces overactive melanocyte production

Pigmented skin cells begin to become regulated - creating a more even toned appearance
Results: Reduced hyperpigmentation

Stimulates fibroblasts

Increases collagen formation
Results: Stronger, more resilient skin with fewer lines and wrinkles

Home kits that sound similar to the Obagi Blue Peel®?

With the recent increase in popularity of skin peels, many over the counter products have become available to consumers. Although these home kits may be less expensive, it is important consumers know that many of the ingredients in these products are not effective in penetrating beyond the surface layer, therefore, they can not restore skin health. The Obagi Blue Peel® renews not only the outer skin surface, but the deeper skin layers as well. Only trust your skin to physicians who are familiar with stronger skin peels. A skilled practitioner of the Obagi Blue Peel® procedure will help you to achieve greater skin care results.

The Dr. Obagi philosophy provides a total approach to treating and reversing skin conditions, from the
most common to the most challenging, by repairing and restoring healthy skin function. Obagi treatment programs are widely praised all over the world for their effectiveness, and can be used on all skin types, regardless of age, condition, or skin color.