What would be an alternative to Obagi ?

Dear Dr Irwin I amm 44 with fair skin which freckles in the sun, oily t zone and wrinkles around eyes. In august i started to use obagi nu derm with great reluctance because of the hydroquinone. However i thought i would do the 18 wks then stop and go onto something else i am now being told i need to stay on it for life as my skin will return to its previous state and i could suffer hyperpigmentation. pigmentation was not a problem for me anyway i went on nuderm for wrinkling and sundamage and to refine the skin. i enjoy using the tretinoin but have been told it doesnt work if i dont use the blender with it. I just want to follow one of your regimes and have purchased tns already> please help. regards Jo

The ingredients in Obagi are the same ones available both by prescription and over the counter. In the Obagi system, they are just packaged and applied in a certain order which can be very effective. But………there’s certainly no need to stay on it for life. Please be reassured that you can use the tretinoin just fine without the blender. If you tend to get irritated with tretinoin, wash with a gentle cleanser, put your moiturizer on and wait 10 minutes. Then apply a pea sized amount of the tretinoin. Renova is just tretinoin in a more moisturizing base but it often works better for people prone to irritation. Always use tretinoin at night and you MUST sunscreen every morning! Hope this helps.  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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