Question about Obagi Nu Derm numbers on the bottles

My staff recently sent a question to me.  His question was:

Why do some of products related to the Obagi Nuderm Skin Care system not have numbers?


My answer to the Obagi Nu-derm numbering question:

Another EXCELLENT question!!

Here are my possible answers:

Obagi Medical doesn’t know how to count. But a better reason would be, that as time went on, new products got invented and thus they didn’t want to change the numbering system – but that doesn’t explain why the Tretinoin itself doesn’t have a number – maybe they didn’t own a company at the time that made tretinoin. How’s that for an answer?

Or

Obagi is selling that “set” as a “STARTER set with numbers” – it is enough to get started and then they should add the Elastiderm, Vitamin C Serum, Vitamin C peptide, and very importantly the Tretinoin. So these are things that need to be customized for the patients preferences and budget.

So the unnumbered products which are eventually needed:

  1. Elastiderm
  2. Vitamin C serum
  3. Vitmain C-Peptide
  4. Tretinoin 0.05% or Tretinoin 0.1% (sometimes Retin-A)

My summary of the order of how to use Obagi Nu-Derm System – the Surgical Artistry Modesto Way:

AM

  1. Cleanser
  2. Toner
  3. Elastiderm Eye cream
  4. Vit C
  5. Vit C peptide
  6. Clear #3
  7. Exfoderm / Forte
  8. Sunfader
  9. HYDRATE
  10. Sunscreen (SS50)
  11. Make up

PM

  1. Cleanser
  2. Toner
  3. Elastiderm Eye cream
  4. Vit C Peptide
  5. Clear
  6. Blender/Tretinoin Mixture
  7. HYDRATE / or Hydrate Luxe

 


Dr. Tammy Wu added a few more thoughts to this Obagi question:

You don’t know this because you weren’t here when Obagi Starter Set didn’t have Hydrate as one of its products; in its place was Sunfader. That’s why Sunfader was numbered #6, as it was #6 in the original Obagi Starter Set.

Sunfader is an excellent product to add for those patients who have hyperpigmentation or freckles due to sun damage or melasma due to pregnancy.

Hydrate is a very recent addition to the Kit and replacement for Sunfader. Sunfader used to be in its place in the kit. Hydrate came about because of people’s complaint of peeling and dry skin after product application. Hydrate does ease the temporary peeling and dry skin feeling for people just starting the products. But it is also an excellent moisturizing retainer – it holds water in the skin for up to 8 hours, just like Hydrate Luxe does.

Therefore, for those with dark spots on their face, I will add the SUnfader to their regimen ALWAYS, because Sunfader is a prescription product with Hydroquinone and chemical sunscreen which will help lighten the dark spots.