Understanding Obagi Blue Peel Types

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance

Obagi Blue Peel versus Obagi Blue Peel Radiance

Obagi peels are high-quality medical grade. With such a range to choose from, our patients often wonder which are really right for them and how to request them. Let’s review the various options.

What is a Peel?

Chemical peels are popular cosmetic treatments used as exfoliants.  A peel is a controlled way of removing old, dead skin cells to reveal healthier skin below. Peels are safe to use, and they are effective for revealing healthier, younger-looking, and brighter skin. They can also achieve more even skin tones, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce the appearance of skin blemishes such as acne scars and sunspots. Peels come in different strengths for different levels of treatment.

Superficial level peels are the gentlest form, focusing on the uppermost layer of skin and are ideal for improving surface-level issues. Medium level peels go a little deeper, into the top of the dermis. They help with removing blemishes, lessening pigmentation issues, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Deep chemical peels go into lower layers of the dermis for issues that require more intensive treatment, such as severe sun damage or deep wrinkles. These deep peels can be done with anesthesia for comfort.

The Obagi Blue peels and the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance® can be used to improve complexion and reveal skin that looks younger, firmer, and brighter. Obagi Blue Peel Radiance® is used by professionals. Patients should consult with a doctor before undertaking either of these treatments, but to get a better idea of what they involve, we’ll explain a little more about each.

Obagi Blue Peel

This is a deep peel performed by Dr. Monaco that uses TCA 30%, which is diluted to various concentrations for an individual patient’s skin needs.  This peel is meant for patients with sun damage, melasma, acne scars, and wrinkles that need to be addressed.  The depth of the peel can be adjusted.  This peel is often done with anesthesia, in the operating room, either in combination with a surgical procedure such as a blepharoplasty or facelift or it can be done as an office procedure.  There is a blue base that allows Dr Monaco to ensure even application so there is a slight blue tint to the skin for a couple of days after the peel as the skin turns over.  There is downtime with this peel as the skin will peel and need to heal.

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance®

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance® is one of the gentler, superficial level peels. This mild peel uses a  20% salicylic acid base and is effective for treating minor skin imperfections in various areas of the face and body, such as minor sun damage, acne scarring, melasma, or fine lines and wrinkles. It is safe for all types of skin.

Most people begin to see improvement after a single use, but this treatment often produces the best results after a series of 4 to 6 treatments. After a series of peels, spaced about a month apart, patients will schedule follow-up peels as needed, when skin starts to look dull. There is minimal downtime afterward. Patients may observe skin redness and minor peeling after treatment, but it will heal and improve in 7 to 10 days. Some patients do not experience any peeling but notice a tightening of pores and a new, even appearance of skin discolorations.

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance® is administered by Dr. Monaco and typically takes a 30 minute office appointment. A typical treatment begins with a thorough cleanse of the skin followed by an application of the Obagi Radiance Peel Prep Solution. When the prep solution is dry, Dr. Monaco applies the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance® solution. There may be multiple applications, depending on the conditions of the skin. Obagi Blue Peel Radiance® may stay on the skin up to 12 minutes before removal with a gentle cleanser and water rinse. At the end of the treatment, the patient will receive a non-chemical sunscreen for skin protection.