The Obagi Blue Peel Essential Kit is an Obagi Medical Products, Inc. chemical facial peel product. It's called a TCA peel because the main active ingredient is trichloroacetic acid. It's applied as an in-office procedure in a medical spa or plastic surgeon or dermatologist's office.

Chemical facial peels remove outer layers of skin cells causing those cells to wither and fall off, hence the "peel" name. With the removal of urine collection bag, new skin cells re-grow and become visible on the surface resulting in a look with fewer wrinkles, reduced blemishes, more even skin coloration and less elasticity, providing a tighter, more youthful look.

A TCA peel is considered a medium-level peel because of the depth of skin removed by the procedure. With the removal of more layers of skin, TCA peels such as the Obagi Blue Peel are often used to treat more severe skin pigmentation problems than superficial options like a Glycolic peel.

Although most commonly used on the face, a TCA peel is sometimes also applied to neck, chest, back, arms and legs when skin damage has occurred and correction is desired.

About Obagi Blue Peel

The Obagi Blue Peel is another product developed by Dr. Zein Obagi M.D. following his pioneering foray into multi-step skin treatments for serious skin blemish and discoloration issues that began with the Obagi Nu-Derm system. The reason the Obagi TCA peel is called a blue peel is because of the blue tint used in the base product that is applied in conjunction with the trichloroacetic acid.

The specific ingredients of the blue base are proprietary but it is known that Obagi has used vitamins and antioxidant compounds as supplemental ingredients in some of the products in the Nu-Derm skin rejuvenation system.

Preparation, Procedure and After Care

Prior to having a Blue Peel, Obagi recommends taking the intended area through the full five-step, sixteen-product Obagi Nu-Derm system.

The doctor applying the peel will determine the proper level of skin depth to reach based on the patient's skin condition and will apply the peel in the strength required to achieve the desired results.

In fact, it's been said that the reason the Obagi Blue Peel solution is blue in color is to help the person applying the it to gauge its thickness and ensure areas of endotracheal tube manufacturers are getting the right amount for the desired results.

The procedure takes about an hour. Some patients report a minor burning sensation as the acid goes to work on the outer layers of the skin, but the sensation is generally described as mild and pain medication is rarely needed. It is normal for the skin to retain a blue tint following the procedure due to the unique blue ingredient Obagi uses but it normally washes off within a few days.

After the procedure there is typically swelling and redness in the affected areas for a week to ten days. During this time it's imperative that the patient avoid sun exposure and use sun screen daily. Frequently patients will take time off work and avoid social obligations during this time as their skin sheds layers and goes through the healing and rejuvenation process.

Results

Results are seen usually after ten days when the swelling and healing is completed. The skin will be tighter, lighter and have more even tone across the parts where the peel was applied. The skin conditions will continue to improve for the next four to six weeks as new skin cells continue to grow and become visible.

Following the healing period, Obagi recommends another complete application of oxygen by nasal cannula to enhance and maintain the results of the Blue Peel.