New in My Practice: Cosmeceuticals

In each edition, Modern Aesthetics^® asks top aesthetic physicians about the newest cosmeceuticals in their practices. This month, JOEL SCHLESSINGER, MD, FAAD talks about the GENTLE REJUVENATION SYSTEM FROM OBAGI MEDICAL PRODUCTS. Dr. Schlessinger practices in Nebraska and operates Skin Specialists, P.C, Advanced Skin Research Center, LovelySkin Spa, LovelySkin, LovelySkin Spa Express and LovelySkin.com. He is also Chief Cosmetic Surgery Editor of Practical Dermatology^®.

GENTLE REJUVENATION SYSTEM

WHAT IT THE GENTLE REJUVENATION LINE?

The Gentle Rejuvenation System (Obagi Medical) is a professional skin care line formulated specifically for people with sensitive skin to address signs of premature aging. The system offers ingredients that are designed to address the signs of mild aging in patients with sensitive skin such as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture, sun damaged skin, dull skin, dehydrated skin, and blotchiness.

“The Gentle Rejuvenation line is the perfect Obagi line for younger individuals who have early signs of aging, but who haven't seen significant changes yet. It is also excellent for those with sensitive or allergy prone skin,” according to Dr. Schlessinger.

The key ingredients, according to Obagi, are Zeatin, which has been shown to improve skin's roughness, and Kinetin, which has been shown to increase skin's ability to retain moisture. Dr. Schlessinger explains that the system works by using ingredients, such as SNAP-8 and Apple Stem Cell Extract, along with other unique ingredients, to stimulate the skin for maximal effect.

The system contains four products to cleanse, calm, correct, and protect sensitive skin:

• Soothing Cleanser gently removes makeup and cleanse while soothing skin

• Skin Calming Cream uses plant-derived growth factors Kinetin and Zeatin to improve texture, tone, and blotchiness in sensitive skin affected by the sun

• Advanced Night Repair with peptides improves the appearance of fine lines, deep wrinkles, rough texture, tone, resiliency, dehydration, and brightness

• Fortified Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 with Vitamin C protects the skin against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays

WHICH PATIENTS IS THIS SYSTEM BEST FOR? WHAT KIND OF RESULTS DO PATIENTS SEE?

Dr. Schlessinger says it is best for women (or men) in their 20s and 30s, or for any individual with sensitive skin.

“The results are much more impressive than the usual products and have been evaluated in clinical trials to make sure it is well tolerated,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “Many of our regular Obagi patients use it as a ‘step down' regimen once they have seen significant improvement on Obagi, yet need to continue on a regimen.”

Dr. Schlessinger adds that he also recommends this system to younger patients who are seeing early signs of aging.

“It is great for that woman in her 20s who is starting to see subtle signs of aging and wants to become more serious about her skin care or someone who is very sensitive, but still has aging concerns,” Dr. Schlessinger explains.

WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU SEE FOR YOUR PRACTICE FROM RECOMMENDING THIS SYSTEM?

“I like the idea of taking a vacation from the harsher regimens from time to time,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “This system allows that!”