We have pretty much all heard of the Obagi Blue peel by now.  Obagi blue peels have quickly become one of the most sought after skin care and rejuvenation treatments available today. Generally, they are only offered in doctors offices on an outpatient basis. The Obagi blue peel was invented by Dr. Obagi and has been clinically proven to effectively treat common skin ailments like pigmentation problems, age spots, mild acne and fine lines and wrinkles. The Obagi blue peel does this by chemically burning the outer layers of the skin through a controlled chemical burn and causes them to slough off or peel in a few days revealing younger, rejuvenated skin.

Chemical peels, in general, have been used in skin care and skin treatments for acne and anti aging for the past 20 years by doctors, dermatologists and plastic surgeons  everywhere. These chemical peels range from weaker or superficial acids and treatments like glycolic and salicylic to stronger and more effective skin peels like TCA peels, the Obagi Blue Peel, and Phenol peels. Phenol peels are rarely used anymore as they require anesthesia, are very toxic and can result in permanent skin bleaching and pigmentation problems. Weaker skin peels like glycolic and salicylic are popular for treating pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. They are more superficial and tend to not be very effective on deeper, more underlying skin problems like cystic and nodular acne. This is where peels like the Obagi Blue Peel and TCA peels are much more effective.

Obagi blue peels and TCA peels are usually applied as a cream or paste (TCA peels are also applied in pure liquid form for faster and longer lasting results). The doctor will first mix the Obagi blue peel with the TCA (trichloroacetic acid) into a creamy paste at various strengths depending on desired depth and then apply it to the face (facial skin, just like with microdermabrasion responds best to deeper skin peels like Obagi and the TCA peel). A typical face mask pattern is used so sensitive areas like around the eyes are avoided. The peel is then applied for usually 10 minutes (or less for TCA peels) or more (up to 30 minutes for the Obagi Blue Peel). The Obagi blue peel is weaker than a pure TCA peel and may require multiple applications or layering for the same results. The Obagi blue peel will also stain or dye the face a blue-green color so the doctor knows where it has been applied already. A TCA peel will turn red and whiteout (turn white or frost) on some skins indicating the neutralization point. The doctor will then neutralize the TCA or Obagi blue peel to stop the burning process.

The patient is then sent home and told to apply various creams and antibacterial treatments for the next 3-7 days until it all peels and is fully healed. During this healing and peeling process, the skin will darken and harden and then start to peel away (some people will flake instead of peeling due to drier skin and different skin pH – everyone’s skin is unique). It is usually best to schedule to have this time off as it is best not to go out in public with severe peeling. Makeup cannot and should not be worn as it can cause infection, break outs of acne and block or impede  healing. Many doctors have found over the counter antibiotic ointments like Neosporin and its generic equivalents to work best and make the skin heal faster after an Obagi blue peel or TCA peel or any peel for that matter.

The Obagi blue peel (along with the TCA peel) has been proven effective in clinical trials and approved for use in anti aging and acne skin care treatments.  Article courtesy of Bestskinpeel.com