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zephyrs
New Member
 
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 5
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Mon May 26, 2014 1:49 am  |
Hi,
I'm new to the forum, after much lurking I decided to join!
I've just completed my first week using ZO skin health and medical products. I'm hoping that it will remove the melasma I have on either side of my face around my eye area.
The products I'm using are:
Offects Exfoliating polish (love this)
Ossential Daily Power Defense
Oilacleanse cleanser
Cebatrol oil control pads
Brightenex
Restoracalm
Image Prevention+ SPF 32
Before I started I read online that the Brightenex makes skin look sunburned, causes redness, stinging, tightness and peeling. This was also confirmed by the nurse at my Dermatologists. On day 3 I noticed a little pinkness on my cheeks but nothing major and some flakiness started around that time too.
Now almost a week later I still haven't experienced redness and the flakiness is totally manageable, not bad at all. My main problem is the dryness. My skin feels tight and looks crepey with dry patches and I think a moisturiser would really help this but I've been told not to use anything else other than what was prescribed to me.
I'm just wondering has anyone else experienced this? How long did it take for the dryness to subside? I'm about a week in and have been using the brightenex every night so maybe I should take a break but then again perhaps I'm over the worst of it now?
Any comments are appreciated and sorry this is so long!  |
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havana8
Moderator
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Posts: 3451
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zephyrs
New Member
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 5
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Thu May 29, 2014 2:36 pm |
Thanks Havana8 for sharing those links. The information on them was pretty interesting.
I'm still getting used to the retinol in the products so hopefully the lizard like skin and redness will ease up soon enough. ALthough from what I've found online it seems it can go on for weeks! |
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Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:46 am |
Hi! I also started with ZO Skin Health & Medical. I haven't purchased as much as you did, because I was advised to start slow.
My only medical product is Brightenex and I experience the same as you have. I was told you use it once a week, at night only. How often do you apply it on?
BTW, I am strictly using ZO products. |
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Sun Jun 15, 2014 1:46 pm |
I took a brief moment to look at the other attachments and there is so much to read. I will be needing some time to do this.
I decided to start ZO because it was time to get into a good routine. I had to get off the Pill and that made my skin go weird. When I was on it I realized I didn't need so much skin care products.
I explored differant brands and I didn't feel satisfied and I was getting more and more unhappy with not finding a replacement of Sofina sun protection (Thank You to my EDS friend for suggesting Sofina a few years back) and skin discolorization. I also have thyroid issue that make you prone to severe dry skin and my weight has been going up and down so much.
It was luck to get a suggestion to try ZO from someone who has been using it for five years. She swears by it so much!
I made an appointment and finally had a review of my skin. A plan was put in place and it will be gradual introduction for my skin.
I have the following:
Normal to dry: Offects Hydrating cleanser
Offects Exfoliating Polish
Ommerse Renewal Creme
Brightenex Skin Brightener & Correcting Creme (Medical)
Oclipse-C Broad-Spectrum sunscreen SPF50 (cheaper than Obagi SPF 50)
I've only used Brightenex once and I did get red and start peeling. I don't know if I should buy another product to help calm the redness. Very potent product.
The exfoliating polish is jammed pack crystals that is very gritty and I think this jar could last up to one year for me.
The cleanser is like a dream and different from Cellcosmet cream cleanser. Both feel very luxurious.
Ommerse Renewal cream is more of an AHA cream/gel, I think.
All of these products are quiet potent and you don't need a lot to apply on.
I love Dr. Z. Obagi theory and how women overuse moisturizers to give us more comfort feeling. There is no doubt I feel some dryness now from peeling, but I can see that my skin need to peel to help with my breakouts.
Due to other medical problems, I have to drink a lot of water and that is very hard to do. Now, I really need to make sure that I do because to hydrate the skin, it comes from the inside to out. Eating more fish help also.
zephyrs, I hope you would want to share your journey with me 
I just started last Wednesday and I have normal to dry skin. What is your skin type? |
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zephyrs
New Member
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 5
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Mon Jun 16, 2014 12:42 pm |
Hi Skincare,
Good to see someone else who is starting their ZO journey as well. I've been using the products for 4 weeks now, about to start week 5 tomorrow.
The redness that I was experiencing from day 3 onwards calmed down a lot and was almost gone by day 10. In the days between I had a lot of flakiness, some scaly patches and redness but I kept using the Brightenex. I didn't take a break at all because I've heard that stopping can stop the process of your skin getting used to Retinol and I didn't want that to happen.
After 2 weeks I visited my dermatologist again and because my skin was tolerating the retinol in the Brightenex I was also told to use Retamax. Since then I've been using the Retamax at night, and Brightenex in the morning. I was worried about using it during the day because it makes your skin more sensitive but I was told it's ok as long as I continue using my SPF.
So 4 weeks on my skin looks great, more even and the flakiness, redness and dryness have all gone. My skin feels and looks very smooth. The only thing that's bothering me just a little is my melanoma doesn't look like it's fading that much. I thought that it would look better by now but have heard that it takes some people a bit longer to see any noticeable difference. I'll keep on using it and hope that I see more of a change soon.
Have you noticed any difference in your skin so far. Hope that the side effects aren't too bothersome for you |
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Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:40 pm |
| Hi! I'm super tired so I'll type up details later. Are you applying Brightenex daily? I'm peeling crazy and I've only used it once (a week from Wednesday) |
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zephyrs
New Member
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 5
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Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:21 am |
| Yeah, I'm using it daily. I never took a break from using it. I read online that stopping can stop the process of your skin getting used to retinol so when you start using it again after a break it's like the process is starting from the beginning again. I didn't want that so just kept using it. I'm now using brightened in the mornings and retamax at night and seem to be doing fine. Just wish the melasma would start fading. I am getting near the end of the 6 week repair phase and can see no noticeable difference. |
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Wed Jun 18, 2014 4:19 pm |
Hi again!
I have normal to dry skin with some oily spots. Tonight, I am supposed to put on Brightenex, but instead, I did it yesterday, my second application.
For one whole week, I've been peeling a lot and the scrub helped and same with Daily Renewal. Later, I found out that daily renewal help keep your skin calm and I can say it did work
I am so impressed today. After my second application, no redness, not much peeling. I am very impressed!
Maybe I'll apply it again this weekend and maintain it, to apply it three times a week for two weeks and kick it up afterwards.
The other thread is very interesting and I'm not finished reading it. I am so glad I could buy this in Canada and disappointed that EDS Spa is not selling ZO.
I plan to buy more products to add to my routine this July.
As for getting rid of my discolorization, I'm not sure when to expect some changes. |
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Thu Jun 19, 2014 4:30 am |
I decided to increase the usage of Brightenex and wear it during the day. It's humid now and I began to sweat, which is typical when there is retinol.
I am wondering if you use 1 oz product once a day, how long would it last? |
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Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:06 pm |
So, I decided to buy the Growth Factor Serum when I went to pick up another tube of SPF 50.
SA said that it is okay to use other brands with ZO, but I understood that it isn't advisable to mix because Dr. Obagi has his products formulated so that they would all work well together.
I'm confused why on EDS other users would mix brands on medical quality? |
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zephyrs
New Member
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 5
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Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:37 am |
Hey,
I've been using the Brightenex daily for nearly 6 weeks now, and I'm still on my first tube. I'm not sure how much is left in it because I can't see but I'm hoping enough for another few weeks anyway.
The only other product I'm using besides the ZO products I listed above is Image SPF32. My dermatologist recommended this and said it wouldn't interfere.
My only annoyance is the lack of resutls almost 6 weeks on, and the fact that I can't wear any makeup as such. I find that my skin looks very dry and patchy with eve the most moisturising foundation on. I thought at this stage my skin would have adjusted to it.
Hope you're skin isn't reacting too badly to the increased use of Brightenex! |
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Tue Jun 24, 2014 4:45 am |
Do you apply only one pump? It's strange that I'm told not to apply it daily and I really want to. I'm not really peeling anymore.
I did mention that I'm out in the sun daily and I don't hide from the sun.....maybe this is the reason she wanted to go slow with me, but I feel ready to do more.
It's too early to see the results, but overall, I am very happy to go with ZO.
The SPF 50 is sort of thick cream, so I got in the habit of applying less. |
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