What's that new skin your in?

I've been a little unhappy with my skin for quite some time now. I don't like how it looks, the texture of it and the discoloring of certain areas around my chin and cheeks. The sight of the large pores has really got me down as of late. I have also been noticing some increased *coughwrinklescough* under and above my eyes and on my forehead. *sigh, sucks getting old.
I started using bare essentials makeup and never could get it right. I think it was because I didn't have the right colors. Anyways, I love the makeup and will still use it now that I got the right stuff. But it doesn't solve my skin problem. I have never been very vain or high maintenance, or at least I don't think so. I have been known to go to wal-mart without make up on numerous occasions. I don't wear makup on my night shifts. I just deal with the breakouts and sun damaged blotches and go on. But since I am closer to 40 than I want to be and hearing that 40 is the new 30, I want to look more like 30 again. I want tighter healthier skin so.......I have made a decision! I am going to try the Obagi skin care system. I am hoping that I get some good results from it. I have done quite a bit of research on it and seen before and after pictures and they seem quite impressive. My bro did a chemical peel last month and the Obagi system is kinda like that except way milder for a way longer period of time (18 week system vs. a 1 day treatment/1 week heal time). It also offers a blue peel after 6 weeks if you want but I dont know if I will do that, I hear it's a very uncomfortable burn. Anyways, I started it October 3rd and decided that I will be posting it on myblog so that I can keep my results in once place. The pictures that I will be posting on here are very embarassing to me so please do not laugh. I know I shouldn't be embarassed by them (after all, I walk around everyday in public with this face) but to point it out on my blog and show you seems kinda.........weird. Anyways, I took Day 1 pics and day 6 pics so far. I will post pics as I take them. With this system, I should experience dry skin and flaking/peeling, a little swelling and redness for the first 6-8 weeks then it starts subsiding as the new skin cells start making their way to the surface. I'm not looking forward to the peeling part but hopefully the end results will be worth it.

Here is day 1:


Today is day 6 and after 6 days, I figured I would be peeling or something but I haven't noted any yet. What I have noticied is that my skin tone is starting to even out some. I have also had noticable redness and a slight swelling for the first time today. They say it takes a couple 3 days for your skin to start reacting to it so maybe mine took a little longer. I am not experiencing any dryness yet either.


I wish I would have taken the day 1 picture in natural light like I did on day 6, but oh well. I will from now on. Anyways, that is the first through day 6 of the transformation I am attempting. Stay tuned....the pictures will only get worse before they get better.