Prescription skin care systems are approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which means that studies had to be performed proving a benefit to patients and that claims made by the company have been reviewed and approved by the FDA. In addition, all prescription products are monitored during manufacture to assure potency and purity.

The Obagi company offers a skin care system called Obagi Nu Derm, which is more potent than most others, which is why they require a prescription. Most skin care lines are considered cosmeceuticals. This means they are available without a prescription and their benefits are assumed, but not proven. Please keep this in mind when choosing a system. I chose to carry Obagi because the company has done scientific studies to back up its claims. Very few other companies have done that.

Both skin care systems are designed to improve the look and texture of skin, but they do act differently.

Nu-Derm is Obagi’s original and most effective system. The most significant ingredients are tretinoin and hydroquinone. This system will increase keratinocyte cell turnover, causing there to be less dead cells and more fresh healthy ones. It will even out the skin tone and color, giving a more even distribution of the color producing melanocytes. Fibroblasts are stimulated, increasing collagen and elastin, which makes the skin stronger and more resilient. Natural hydration is increased through increasing GAG synthesis. Therefore, additional moisturizers are not needed, even in the dry winter months. Healthy uniform cells are formed by repair of intracellular transcription. Blood flow is improved due to growth of capillaries.

What does this do for you? This system will make your skin smoother, improve fine wrinkles, improve age spots, and improve skin texture. The skin is less dry, more elastic and firm. With continued use it can prevent future sun damage. In short, it can turn back time, reversing some of the effects of aging, and it can slow down aging in the future.

The Obagi line Nu-Derm is a system, and (with a few exceptions) no additional skin care products are required. The different aspects of the system have been carefully chosen to work together in the most effective manner. People with issues such as rosacea or severe acne may require additional medication to treat those conditions. We do, however, often add topical Vitamin C to the Nu-Derm system to decrease inflammation and augment the anti-aging effects.  By the way, Obagi is also compatible with water or mineral based make-up.

What should I expect? Nu-Derm does take some getting used to. Initially there will be redness, dryness and peeling. How much and how long depends on how aggressive the therapy is, and how sensitive your skin in. A very aggressive approach will cause more redness and peeling initially, but will be done more quickly. This initial stage lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. Over the following 6-12 weeks the skin improves, with less wrinkles, smaller pores, and improvement of uneven coloration (and of course, there is less redness and flakiness). Finally the maintenance phase is entered. This is what you have been waiting for! At this time the maintenance protocol should be followed to keep what has been gained.

Of course, results will vary, but almost everyone should expect some improvement with this system. I believe this is the most effective and most proven system on the market today. There are many skin cream lines, with many claims made. I only feel comfortable recommending those that have the best chance of helping my patients, and I believe this is one of the best.

Having said that, there are still other options, especially for people who are afraid or not willing to deal with the initial breaking in period of the Obagi Nu-Derm, or for younger women who don’t need as much improvement.

These products are prescription, and should be dispensed and monitored by a physician!  For more information, consult the Obagi website at http://www.obagi.com/. Please call for a skin consultation and we can help you decide which system would be best for you.

copyright 2007, Jasmine Moghissi, MD