Acne Blues: Esthetician vs. Dermatologist

So you've come to a crossroad where you made the decision to seek out a professional.  You can no longer stare at your acne ridden face. Having pimples really blows and no matter how much make-up you put on, you still feel self-conscious. Whoever told me that acne would end after puberty was blowing smoke up my skirt! Acne is a menacing problem and everyone seems to have a solution and a product to fix it. The problem is there’s a plethora of professionals out there, so who do you turn to for advice? Do you seek out the help of an esthetician or get professional advice from a dermatologist?

Estheticians should be considered as a first line of defense. They are very knowledgeable about skin products and can help you establish a good skincare regimen. Estheticians can also perform deep cleansing facials, pore extractions, exfoliation treatments, and waxing.  Visiting your esthetician every 4-6 weeks may be what your skin needs to rid yourself from occasional breakouts.

If you find yourself defeated and over-the-counter medications aren’t working, you should see a dermatologist. The issues you are having with your skin could be hormonal or you may have a skin condition that requires prescription medication. While dermatologists can be both helpful and informative, the visits can be expensive and if you’re lucky, your insurance may pay for it. If this is an option for you, invest in your skin and find the root of the problem.  The pay-off may be well worth it, and your visit to the dermatologist can save you from purchasing useless products.

There’s no right or wrong way to tackle acne and the decision is yours to make. You should choose an approach that is comfortable to you. We’re our own self critics, so do what you need to do to free yourself from the acne blues.

Obagi Nu-Derm system

The goal of the Obagi Nu-Derm system is to lighten blemishes, correct surface discoloration, and create softer more radiant looking skin. It also promotes skin cell renewal, improves circulation and helps rebuild the collagen in your face.

I started using the Obagi Nu-Derm system a few months ago from the recommendation of my dermatologist, and it has created impressive results.  The system has two separate routines, a morning routine and an evening routine. The steps are numbered 1-6, so it's quite easy to follow.  Both routines begin with the same three steps, Foam N Gel (1), Toner (2), and Clear (3). In the morning, after you use Clear (3), you apply the Exforderm Forte (4) and the Healthy Skin Protection SPF35 (6). In the evening, you follow the Clear (3) with a mixture of Retin A (prescription only) and the Blender (5). I know it sounds like a lot of steps, but once you get the hang of it the process is pretty simple. Keep in mind, that while using this product you should avoid the sun at all costs. Sun exposure can cause darker pigmentation on your skin and reverse the effects of this product.

While the Obagi Nu-Derm system is great for the skin, it may not be so great on your pocket book.  The Obagi Nu-Derm system starter kit can cost you a little over $300.  I would recommend that you seek the advice of a dermatologist before using this product because of the Retin A.  The Retin A really is the magic behind the Obagi Nu-Derm System. If you haven't used Retin A before, you're in for a rude awakening because your skin will peel like crazy using this product. The peeling part of it is not pretty, so I would recommend using plenty of moisturizer. However, patience is key to using this product, and the results are well worth it if you can fork out $300 every 3 months.

If you don't have blemishes or sun damaged skin, I don't recommend purchasing this product because there are other products out there (I will recommend in my upcoming blogs) that are affordable and really great for your skin. My dermatologist recommended this product to me because as a teenager I had acne prone skin, so I had a lot blemishes I wanted to get rid of that other products just could not do for me.

Here are some site's where you can purchase Obagi products online.  Keep in mind that Retin A is prescription only, so you will need to see a dermatologist to purchase this magic in a bottle...or should I say tube ;)

www.lovelyskin.com
www.dermstore.com
www.amazon.com
www.skincare-md.com