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Obagi Nu-Derm
Skin Basics
Damaged Skin
Over time, normal aging and damage from the environment (sun, stress and pollution) cause skin to lose its ability to 'renew' itself properly. Cell turnover slows, causing the dead skin layer at the stratum corneum or surface to be thicker and slowing the flow of moisture from within, resulting in dry unevenskin texture. Skin cells are disorganized and misshapen. Daily exposure to sunlight causes the amount of pigment in each cell to increase, producing freckles or age spots and uneven skin tone. Collagen and elastin begin tobreak down, causing the skin to lose its resilience, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.
Healthy Skin
The skin's cellular functions are accelerated allowing continual renewal as dead skin cells are replaced by fresh cells pushed to the skin's surface, making the surface (stratum corneum) smoother and naturally hydrated. Freckles and age spots seem to disappear. Pigment cells (melanin) are more evenly distributed, helping prevent the appearance of new freckles and age spots. The skin is rich in collagen and elastin that promote resilience and firmness. All these functions work together to keep skin looking and acting younger and healthier.
Obagi Nu-Derm System®
The Obagi Nu-Derm System is a prescription only skin care system, which accelerates skin cell turnover. The system penetrates deep to improve damage in all layers of the skin. It optimises functions of the skin at the cellular level to help it look and act younger and healthier. The active ingredients trigger a therapeutic cascade of actions that:
- Drives new skin cells to the surface, resulting in smoother skin, reduced lines and wrinkles and improved tolerance
- Reduces uneven pigmentation found in freckles and age spots and prevents the formation of new pigmentation
- Promotes uniform cells at the deep layers for improved skin structure and better balanced skin tone
- Boosts collagen and elastin production for firmer and resilient skin with fewer lines and wrinkles
- Improves circulation and nutrient supply for natural hydration and healthy glowing skin

What to expect
'Out with the old' (first 6 weeks)
In this initial phase, the damaged top layer of skin is replaced by a new layer of fresh, healthy skin cells. This process takes approximately 6 weeks. During this phase, you can expect to experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Freckles, age spots and dark patches begin to fade>
- Exfoliation and flaking
- Redness and dryness
- Wrinkles and acne may worsen temporarily
These reactions are indications that the treatment is working. It is absolutely necessary to stay with the program to see these results.
'In with the new' (6-12 weeks)
Ongoing significant improvements in your skin as stimulation continues. New skin cells continue arriving at the surface and collagen and elastin production increases. You will notice:
- Wrinkles begin to reduce
- Tightening of pores
- Improved lightening of freckles, age spots and pigmentation
- Subsiding redness and flaking
'Healthy glow' (12-18 weeks)
During this phase, people will start to notice and comment that your skin looks younger and healthier. Your skin is behaving in a more organized way:
- Firmer and more resilient
- Even tone and pigmentation
- Smooth, hydrated and glowing
'The New You' (18 weeks onwards)
You have transformed your skin, which looks and functions healthier and younger. It is important to continue with a maintenance protocol to:
- Maintain healthy young looking skin
- Prevent future damage
- Optimise anti-ageing effects
Obagi® Prices
| Treatment package | Price |
|---|---|
| Nu-Derm System | £350 |
| C-Rx System | £330 |
| Blue Peel (including Nu-Derm) | £850 |
| Tretinoin 0.05% cream | £48 |
| Elastiderm cream / gel | £50 |
| Professional Vit C Serum 10% | £45 |
Obagi Nu-Derm FAQs

Why should I use all the products in the System?
The products in each Obagi System are specifically designed to work together. When used as a system, the formulas combine to effectively balance the pH level and penetrate ingredients to the layers of the skin revealing superior results.
Why are the Obagi System products sold exclusively from physicians?
Can the products be purchased on the internet?
Obagi System skin care products are prescription strength formulations regulated by the FDA + MHRA and can only be sold with a prescription through a physician, such as a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon. Obagi System does not endorse purchasing prescription products from the internet without a written prescription.
What is the difference between the Obagi System products and the products purchased from department stores and beauty counters?
Obagi System skin care products are prescription strength, or pharmaceutical quality products that work at the cellular level to improve the skin cell function. Products purchased from a retail store are Cosmeceutical products. When applied, they do not correct skin cells, instead they “mask” the damaged skin only on the surface of the skin for a temporary period.
Can the products be applied around the eyes, neck and chest?
With the exception of the Obagi Nu-Derm System Eye Cream and Professional-C 5%, you should avoid using products around the eye area, as that skin area is thin and delicate. The products can be used on the neck and chest, although this area can be more sensitive than the face.
Can the products be used during pregnancy?
The non-prescription products are safe to use during pregnancy and breast feeding. The prescription products which contain Hydroquinone and Tretinoin are contraindicated for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and should be avoided.
Can the products be used if in the sun (i.e. at sporting events or at the beach)?
Keeping in mind that extended sun exposure damages the skin, it is suggested to avoid prolonged sun exposure without protection. Always wear a sunscreen like the Obagi Nu-Derm Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35, Obagi-C Rx SunGuard SPF 30, or Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Block SPF 32. While on the system, you can participate in normal outdoor activity, however, your skin may be sensitive to the sun and heat. It is very important to apply sun protection every few hours while exposed to the sun.
What happens if I stop using the products?
The skin is your largest living organ and is constantly in the process of renewal. Skin cells mature and migrate to the surface approximately every 28 to 40 days. The dead cells remain on the surface for another 12 days before sloughing off. When you stop using the products, you have interrupted the healthy cell renewel process. Eventually, the improved healthy cells will revert to where you started with abnormal skin cell function. You will begin to see diminishing results within weeks..
What does the Obagi Nu-Derm System do for aging skin?
As skin ages, just like the body, it loses the ability to properly renew itself. The Obagi Nu-Derm System is a prescription strength skin care system that is physician monitored to accelerate skin cell turnover so that it looks and acts younger and healthier.
How quickly will I see results when using the Obagi Nu-Derm System?
The prescribed protocol and frequency is determined by your individual skin condition. By carefully following your customized protocol, you can expect visible improvements in 4-6 weeks.
What can I expect while using the Obagi Nu-Derm System??
You may experience several phases of Transformation. In the first phase, “Out With The Old”, the System accelerates dead cell exfoliation, so expect flaking and peeling, revealing fresher, smoother skin. In the second phase, “In With The New”, your skin will begin to build tolerance to peeling and flaking. During that time the System is working at the cellular level to continually transform skin cells. In the third phase, “Healthy Glow”, histologically, collagen and elastin are increasing production and skin will feel supple and resilient. Uneven color and pigmentation begin to even out. In the fourth phase, “The New You”, you keep your skin looking and acting younger and healthier.
Why is Vitamin C important?
Vitamin C belongs to an important group of antioxidants which fight the free radicals that age the skin. Studies have shown topical Vitamin C, in the most effective form (L-ascorbic acid), can help improve sun protection, repair sun damaged skin, reduce fine lines, stimulate collagen building and potentially reduce discoloration of the skin.
How is the Obagi-C Rx System different from other Vitamin C products?
The Obagi-C Rx System is the first and only prescription-strength Vitamin C System of products in the UK. Its patented formulation, using proven ingredients, provides a simple to use system for brighter, more radiant skin. While many Vitamin C products simply moisturize the skin's surface, the Obagi-C Rx System penetrates to all layers of the skin, effectively delivering more Vitamin C than other brands.
Why are there two C-Exfoliating Day Lotions?
There are two C-Exfoliating Day Lotion options. One has a sunscreen with SPF 12 and the other does not have a sunscreen. Some patients already use sunscreen, dislike the sunscreen smell or are prone to irritation or breakouts caused by sunscreens. Other patients need the extra sunscreen or want the added convenience of a sunscreen built into their lotion.
Why is the Obagi Nu-Derm System used in conjunction with the Obagi Blue Peel?
Those seeking skin resurfacing procedures (Blue Peel) usually have unhealthy skin. By improving important skin cell functions with the Obagi Nu- Derm System prior to the procedure, post-procedure care is enhanced and down time is reduced. Further, the post-procedure variables such as sensitivity, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, erythema and scarring are reduced. Early recovery of normal skin structure and function will ultimately boost satisfaction with the procedure.
How long should the Obagi Nu-Derm System be used before getting a Blue Peel?
It varies based on the skin type, skin condition and depth of the Blue Peel. Usually, a minimum pre-conditioning program lasts 6 weeks. Skin with more pigment or hyperpigmentation requires 12-18 weeks.
Why is the Blue Peel different than a TCA peel?
Because TCA is a clear aqueous solution, over painting and uneven penetration can easily occur leading to unsatisfactory results. The Blue Peel is a unique procedure enhacing control of the depth of TCA. The blue mixing base helps to ensure consistent results .
What should be expected during recovery?
Depending on the depth level of the Blue Peel, healing time is between 3 and 10 days. After the procedure, you will experience light swelling and your skin will begin to peel within 2 to 3 days.

