At Island Dermatology, we’re always on the lookout for dermatology news of interest to our Mercer Island dermatology clients. Something that caught our eye was a profile in West Side Today written by Adrienne Papp and featuring Zein Obagi, M.D., a well-known dermatologist with over 30 years’ experience. Obagi is the author of “Obagi’s Skin Health, Restoration, Treatment and Rejuvenation.”
Obagi’s early research led him to the conclusion that skin begins to weaken and change as early as age 10, as environmental factors, diet, sun, hormonal fluctuations and stress all take their toll. Obagi made the determination that, while dermatology textbooks at the time addressed a host of diseases, there was really no standard definition of what constituted healthy skin. He set out to do just that.
Through his research, Obagi developed a comprehensive standard for skin health. That standard consists of six key elements: skin that is free from disease, smooth, even in color tone, strong, hydrated, tight and firm.
A crucial part of Obagi’s definition of healthy skin involves skin that is free of excessive oil. “The oil in skin is an irritant, something left over from the days when we had fur,” he said. “And when we regulate and normalize oil secretion, the skin becomes healthy again much faster, and can prevent acne at its early stage.”
Keeping abreast of dermatology news is one way we keep members of the Seattle dermatology community informed of developments of interest to them.
