Wedding Blog

Progress on the Obagi Nu-Derm system has had its ups and downs, but overall I am really excited to be on it, and am so glad I decided to take the plunge! While there hasn’t been DRASTIC improvement yet (a full cycle of the program takes 18 weeks), I’m actually noticing an improvement in my skin, even in the short time I’ve been on it.

The most drastic improvement has been a definite evening-out of my skin tone, and my skin is visibly smoother and tighter. I went into the program unhappy with how my skin was noticeably darker in some spots, and with how my cheeks were bleached and pink looking. I can definitely tell that my skin is starting to even out. You know how right after you moisturize, your skin feels “plump”? Mine is starting to feel like that for longer periods of time. I’ve also noticed that my acne scarring is becoming more faint. I wouldn’t consider it a huge “problem”, but there is no doubt that it’s fading, which is pretty exciting!

It’s pretty obvious that my freckles are starting to fade. The darkest freckles are still obviously present, but they’re less prominent, and it appears that a lot of the smallest freckles are on their way to disappearing.

I really didn’t expect results in 14 days, so I’m pretty happy that I’m able to notice a small visible improvement this early in the game.

It hasn’t been all rainbows and sunshine; my skin is constantly peeling, and my neck is actually “burnt” pretty badly from the Tretinoin. I talked to my esthetician, and she recommended being really careful not to get any on my neck, so I’ve started to swipe my neck with toner after I’m finished with the routine every morning and night, just to wash any that’s gotten on my neck off. I look like I’ve been hanged!

I would have to say that if you have a job where you have to look nice, that this would be really hard to do. My skin flakes and peels constantly. It’s not pretty. I can’t imagine being in an office environment and having to deal with it. I think micro dermabrasion would be a better choice for people that can’t deal with 3 straight weeks of flaking and peeling, constantly. Because I work at home, and don’t have to wear makeup, it doesn’t really affect my life. When I do go out, I don’t wear foundation, because I end up having to wipe off my skin flakes every so often (gross) and apply aloe.

One random positive side effect that I’ve experienced (and I’m not sure if it’s due to the Nu-Derm system, or due to the new Obagi eye cream I’ve been using [or perhaps a combination of both?]), is that my funky eyelid has corrected itself! I mention this to practically everyone I know, but one of my eyelids had begun to “droop” a little over a year ago, and I was REALLY self conscious about it, because my face was grossly unsymmetrical (and I’m kind of obsessed with facial symmetry. Weird random fact.). I don’t use the system on my eyes, but I think some gets on my eyelids occasionally, and in combination with the great new eye cream I’ve been using, I think my eyelid corrected itself! See for yourself:

Here I am, below, on my wedding day, last June. Notice how the eye closest to the camera has no eyelid, while the other one does. This always bothered the crap out of me, and while it’s a small thing, I was really self conscious about it. It was really hard to apply eyeshadow, as my eyes were so different, that it never looked right.

Here’s me this weekend, below. My eyelid is back! My skin is a lot more taut, and I think that the extra, droopy skin has now lifted back up.  I wanted to show my whole face as well, as I’m already wearing less makeup (mostly because my skin starts flaking pretty badly, especially around my mouth, and because I rub aloe on it every hour or so, I can’t really wear makeup). I have full eye makeup applied here, but I only have my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil on my skin (not the actual foundation powder, just the sheer “finishing” powder, which has no color and minimizes shine). I think I can get away with less makeup already, which is a plus. But MAN, I’m SOOOO glad I have my eyelid back! People get surgery for that kind of stuff!

I have to say, I LOOOOOOVE the Obagi Elastiderm Night Eye Cream. My spa was running a special where I got a tub of eye cream for free, so I really lucked out! They never give you enough in the little sample tubes to sway you one way or another. It was cool to get a full size tub for free, and now they’ve gained a customer for life. Fancy that. Eye cream people should give out bigger samples than the tiny little tubes they typically give. my eyelids definitely feel taught, like I got a mini-eye lift.

I’ll update again in a few weeks, but as for now, I’m thrilled that I took the Obagi plunge! I wish I had done this before our wedding!