Pardon me while I download my frustration for just a minute. I may even embarrass myself. I’m pretty good with computers and iPhones, but Microsoft Office is about as far as I go. Technology bores–or maybe “overwhelms” is a better word–me. So when I tried to buy some thumb drives on-line, which are pretty much no-brainers, I thought–I was totally bufuddled by the technical gobblety-gook on a dot-com (I have absolutely no idea what is meant by a “jump pen memory stick enhanced for Windows ready boost). Huh? What’s that?? So instead of making a purchase, I just closed the window.
Whoever is coming up with these things doesn’t understand that even though women use technology, we generally don’t understand it–nor do we want to. Speaking for myself (and trying to avoid gender profiling here!) I have zero inclination to try to figure it out.
So what does this have to do with skincare? Well, what the computer industry calls “tech-speak” evolves to what the skincare industry calls “beauty-speak”–a bunch of pseudo-scientific and pedantic language that is instead thoroughly confusing! Some of it is pure double-speak.
Let’s face it, the anti-aging skincare industry overcomplicates things. There are way too many options, and way too many ingredients. Even well-informed consumers have a hard time figuring it out. Part of it, I’m sure, is the companies keep adding marketing bells-and-whistles, to differentiate their products and try to impress consumers.
Dr. Zein Obagi isn’t like that. He doesn’t understand marketing and is the first to admit it. He thinks like a dermatologist, and wants to use that which works. So that’s why ZO Skin Health is focused on the tried-and-true–like retinol. With Dr. Obagi, there is much more “steak” than “sizzle”. In case you haven’t already guessed, he is a very direct, straightforward, results-oriented guy. With Dr. Obagi, there is no hidden agenda.
So why do skincare lines have so many options? Some of the old-guard companies–that developed their lines 15 or 20 years ago–are challenged to keep their products new and relevant. Retailers demand “newness”. So the companies keep developing more stuff–even though “new” is not necessarily better. And after a few years, they have product lines with 50 or 75 different products–and who can figure them all out?
Skincare is Dr. Obagi’s priority, but it’s probably not yours. I hope that the marketing materials that ZO has developed, and the products that Dr. Obagi has formulated, are simple to understand, select, and use. Because I wouldn’t blame you if you hit the “escape” button, or “Command W” if we’re boring you with technical gobblety gook. Let’s talk to each other in plain English. Everything works better that way.
1) I bought the Growth Factor Serum and in the middle of using it, I thought something was wrong with the container/pump because the product was not coming out. I opened the jar to see if I could fix it. I later read that some of the products react (for lack of a better term) to sunlight and become useless. Is my GFS now “spoiled” and/or inactive? Should I stop using it?
2) I had the pleasure of having a consultation with Dr. Obagi at a recent Nordstrom event and he told me I have eczema on my hands. I have been using the overnight hand renewal daily but should I stay away from certain ingredients in other products (particularly in hand soap and shampoo)?
Thanks.
Hi, Cheri:
1) No, your Growth Factor Serum is not ruined with one encounter or opening. You would have to leave the cap off on a daily basis to inactivate the retinol and peptides. Even if you have to quickly open daily to obtain product for application, you are going to be fine.
2) Hand Eczema is another term for contact dermatitis – it is basically extreme sensitivity to certain fragrances, emollients, harsh chemicals, etc., as a result of having “true sensitivity” vs. “acquired” from overuse of moisturizers. Obviously, you cannot avoid washing your hands – so do so without perfumed soap or one that is too harsh. Use fingertips to wash your hair, not your entire hands. Always rinse off any product or exposure to products. If you do wash your body, hair, etc., thoroughly rinse and dry hands and apply a fragrance free lotion such as Curel.
Just don’t let your hands get too dry. Remember, the Oraser Hand Cream is just used in the evening. With eczema, you don’t want to overly apply it, because with too-frequent use, the retinol in it will cause your hands to become too dry.
I like Dove Body Wash for “Sensitive Skin.” It is liquid and very soft in comparison to other cleansers. Washing your hands and body with this should keep contact dermatitis under control.
Hi, Dr Obagi,
First i want to say thank you for your amazing skin care products. Since i started using them i get alot of complements on my skin. I’m turning 27 years old this year and i don’t have wrinkles or lines, thanks to your products.Two years ago i went very desperate to a dermatologist office to get a filler for a huge bag a had under my right eye. The dermatologist told me she wanted me to try your Elasticderm eye gel first. After trying the Elasticderm eye gel i din’t go back to get a filler, i was amazed by the results. My left eye looks perfect, no bag or wrinkles, just my right eye that some days i will wake up with a huge bag and it feels likes i’m retaining liquid. I been thinking about getting a filler but i’m not sure if what i experience some days is a different problem, because my eye will feel very tired and sleepy. I wanted to get your opinion before trying for a filler. I don’t understand why my left eye feels full of life and i never get a bag and why my right eye feels tired and i tend to get a huge bag? I sleep facing up, i never sleep on my stomach. I don’t want to turn to fillers yet but my right eye been making look old and tired. If you have any suggestions i will love to hear them.
Thanks for your hard work and dedication to beautiful skin!
Sandy
Dear Sandra,
Thank you for submitting your mousecall questionnaire. I am responding on behalf of Dr. Obagi, who dictated this response:
Fillers are not usually recommended for under eye bags. Fillers are indicated to fill volume loss or to correct fine lines and wrinkles (thus the name fillers). There are certain things you can do to reduce the water retention that can accumulate underneath eyes, including minimizing your intake of salt in your diet, drinking plenty of water, and sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your stomach or side can cause fluid to accumulate and cause dark circles or eye-bags. Hopefully, you are using the Elastiderm on both eyes, and not just the one you felt required correction. I prefer the ElastiDerm eye cream (not gel form) as it is less irritating, hydrating, and more compatible with the Obagi Nu-Derm system or ZO Skin Health product line. Try sleeping on your back, slightly elevated with pillows, reduce your intake of sodium, drink more water (less alcohol) and apply the eye cream on BOTH eyes and wait about 2-3 weeks to notice a transformation. At this point, based on your age and issues described, I don’t think you’re a candidate for fillers yet.
If you are still having a problem, then you may want to consider seeking advice from a Plastic Surgeon. Without knowing the true extent of your condition, or seeing you in person, it is difficult to provide you with a proper diagnosis. The recommendations above will make a significant improvement. I appreciate all of your compliments and feedback.
Best,
Sandra Obagi, MBA
For Dr. Obagi
Dear Sandra,
Hi! It has been awhile since I’ve written to you and amazingly enough, I am still learning things that I did not know when I first started using NuDerm back in Oct/2009! That’s good though, keeps cell renewal up!!!
Question:
What do you use first? In my case, Hydrating Cleanser or the exfoliating Polish?
Hope all is well with you! I love the Growth Factor Serum on top of my Tretinoin/Blender recommendation and now I am comtemplating incorporating the RNR-Plus in my NuDerm Maintenance Regimen as well. It will be one year in June I kicked it up to 0.1% Tretinoin! As always, thank you for the exceptional advise.
Sincerely,
Anne
Hello Anne,
Thank you so much for emailing and providing the update. I am so glad the tips we discussed are going so well.
In my opinion, you want to utilize the Exfoliating Polish first, prior to the Hydrating Cleanser. Two of the ingredients in the Hydrating Cleanser, panthenol and allantoin are designed to seal in moisture and keep skin hydrated all day. I think the polish is strong enough to completely negate its benefits. Second, as you probably noticed it is a little difficult to completely rinse off the magnesium crystals in the polish.. Having one more chance at completely rinsing them off with the additional cleansing step completely removes them from skin. Finally, when you removed dead skin cells (exfoliate) what goes on after works so much better. Cleansing is enhanced if used after polish. That is the way I have all my patients use those 2 steps. Have a great weekend!
Best,
Sandra Obagi
Dear Sandra,
Thank you for your reply and you are absolutely correct about the pesky residual magnesium crystals. You have to be totally sure that you have thoroughly rinsed your face, in particular your eye/eyelash erea of any exfoliating polish before you proceed. That happened to me ONCE and you know it right away though…
Thank you for clarifying the order for me, since I can not use the exfoliating cleanser and yet in the literature it’s written use the cleanser first, then the exfoliating polish. If you use the exfoliating cleanser, following with the exfoliating polish would be the logical next step.
Last year when you “opened my eyes” to learn that some of the NuDerm products, including 0.1% Tretinoin could be used in the eye area,what a revelation!!! I use Elastiderm creme and had been incorporating the ZO Skin Health Olluminate eye creme (NOT when I was using Clear or Tre/Blender, then I lighly applied some Elastiderm)until I ran out of the Olluminate which I did not replenish. It is not because i did not but just decided to stick with one at that time.
I too, as one of your other clients have undereye bags which have been there for decades, okay I am 58… That is the FIRST thing I see when I look in the mirror and I loathe them. Plastic surgery is not an option so I was wondering, is there anything else in addition to what you have already recommended minimize their appearance?
I am open to suggestions and I will follow directions! Always great chatting with you!
Truly,
Anne