Reviews for Dr. Zein Obagi ZO® Express Facial Treatments + Services in Newport Beach, CA

I have been coming to ZO Skin Center for well over 10+ years and they have literally changed my life, my confidence, and my skin.Ninka has been my esthetician and I will NOT allow anyone else touch my face/skin. I drive about 5 hours round trip every couple months just to come in and see her for a treatment. She has done facial and back facials for me. I was having some issues with some irritated skin on my back and saw a local dermatologist who put me on prescription washes and creams and it never got better. Saw Ninka once with a back facial and it cleared up immediately. Was 90% better before I even got home. Her facials are one of the most relaxing experiences I have ever had. I walk out of there feeling refreshed, skin clean, and glowing. I see and feel results immediately and they last for weeks. The Obagi Serums are able to work that much better with more results after Ninka’s facials.I get compliments about my skin often, even from other doctors. I do not get anything done, such as botox either and I am 42yrs old. I have tried other estheticians more local to me and other skin lines and will NEVER again use anything else on my skin. She is 100000% worth the time, the drive, and energy fighting traffic. She is very thorough, takes her time,  listens to you and your needs. She takes the time to look over your skin and suggest the best treatments. I cannot rave enough about her and if you do not see her, you’re doing a disservice to yourself coupled with the Obagi products. You for sure will be pleased with the results.Also, Dr. Mowlds is wonderful. He is not aggressive with pushing procedures and takes the time to make sure your individual skin needs are met. The ladies in the front are very kind and sweet as well, especially Holly who always takes care of orders, appointments, responds to messages immediately, and is very knowledgeable with the products. Again, I drive very far, but will NOT allow anyone else to touch y face/skin. Thank you to Ninka, Dr. Mowlds, Holly and the rest of the staff for always making my experience a pleasant one and making me feel more confident in my skin! 10 stars if that was an option! =) More

I had a wonderful experience with Obagi today! As soon as I walked in, the atmosphere was very peaceful and zen. Abby gave me an express facial and it was just what I needed! Her calming energy helped me relax and she really made my skin glow. Thank you Obagi and Abby for making me feel beautiful! More

I gotta say, I was a little worried to come in after seeing a handful of negative reviews. But now, it's safe to say that unfavorable feedbacks should in no way stop anyone from visiting this clinic, because these guys know how to brings results.They've come up with a standard, yet very elaborate approach on how to treat problematic skin/adult acne. And it works! It not only fixes the main condition, but improves the quality of skin as well. Unlike many respected derm docs that give out prescriptions that target the acne problem solely, at Obagi there is an entire program designed to fix all possible skin complications. I can't stress enough how important this is, especially if you have sensitive skin that reacts to every slight impact on it. Also unlike many beauty spots, they didn't pretend facials would make a noticeable change and insisted on me taking more significant steps to handle the matter.Yes, the prices are high and maybe someone in the past had possible unpleasant interactions with the staff. But I honestly can say that when you've been struggling with adult acne for a long time, the results overweight everything else.  I wanna recommend this clinic to everyone with skin concerns. I've gone through my treatment without taking any medications internally and it was the most, I wanna repeat, the most effective one I've tried ... I hope they'll think about expanding to other countries, because their products are as efficient  as one can hope for. This is my first and probably last review on yelp. I just felt like someone has to do justice to this place and explain why the readers should try to oversee the negative reviews in favor of permanent results. More

My mom found Dr. Obagi in a magazine 20+ years ago and not only has he helped her immensely, he has helped me as well! I started going to Obagi for my acne when I was a young teenager after Kaiser dermatologists were no help. I got on his regimen and it helped me, but as I continued going through puberty and my acne was getting worse, I needed something more as nothing else was working. He recommended accutane for me (twice! the first time I didn't listen!) and I'm so glad he did. It was the only thing that worked and now 2 years after he prescribed it/insisted I get on it and even suggesting I go through Kaiser as it'd be cheaper there and about 6 months after finishing my course on accutane, I am acne free. He knows what he's doing and his products work. If you listen to him and do what he suggests, you'll be happy with your skin. I've also gone there for facials with Liz and she is the best! Suzy is also always friendly and welcoming. More

I finally got a chance to check out the newest medspa at Fashion Island. As a newlywed, I've been finally coming down off of the stress of wedding planning and thought I'd treat myself. So I finally had some free time to call for an appointment.  They were able to fit me in the same day with Carlyn.  I have used Obagi products for a while now. But I guess they've got a new line out that they're pushing at this medspa. And to have an entire facial with them felt great. Carlyn was very sweet and very gentle with her facial. She did a microdermabrasian and oxygen on my skin in addition to the typical mask, cleanser and extraction.  Honestly, it might've been the most unique facial I've ever had. And it was great.  It's definitely pricy at about $200 plus tip.  However, I feel like it was well worth it. I'm absolutely glowing right now! I did purchase some of the new Obagi products to see if there's much of a difference between those and the old Obagi line.  They did come with a free gift, which is surprise, more products. All in all, a great experience. I'll put it on my rotation for pampering. More

I have been suffering from acne since high school. Before visiting the Obagi Skin Health Institute, I have tried a lot of the over-the-counter treatments, like the Proactive, Clinique, Neutrogena, etc. All of these had worked for a while, and then stopped working. And none of them can actually reduce/control my breakouts and my acne scars that left behind.I finally decided to visit the dermatologist last year after being depressed with the OTC treatments. And I am so happy that I made the decision. To be honestly, I didn't do a lot of research on which dermatologist that I'm gonna visit. I just googled it, and Obagi popped up! I called for an appointment and the miracle has begun!My first consultation was with the well-famed Dr. Obagi. As all the negative reviews said, it was right that he didn't spend a lot of time with me, totally about 20 minutes. By then I was using all OTC products. But I convinced myself to switch to the all Obagi products after seeing how great skin Dr. Obagi himself has. I'm not gonna lie that everything was sooooooooo expensive. But the result makes me believe that you get what you pay for.Before I made my decision on whether I'm gonna start the program, Dr. Obagi warned me about the possible side effects in the first month, including severe peeling and redness. I was scared. But my skin was pretty bad at that time. So I thought I had nothing more to lose. I started the Obagi program in Feb. last year, and went out of it in Sept. I think.It was a very harsh program. My skin was peeking and extremely red with pain in the first month. Nothing actually helped with the side effects. I was a little bit afraid. But all the reviews online were saying that these were normal. And I remembered that Dr. Obagi also warned me about these. So I insisted in the program. In the meantime, my acne was already under control. I got very few breakouts. And none of them were as big as they were before. I was in the program for about 6-7 months. I walked out with natural glowing skin. Most of my acne scars were cleared out. And my breakouts were under control. During the program, I forced myself to stick with the products that Dr. Obagi prescribed except for some extremely gentle hydrating products. I also got regular facial to get off the dead skin. I was also put into the accutane program for 5 months. My insurance didn't cover it. So it was expensive. But I was very lucky that I didn't have any side effects. I don't know how well accutane worked because I was using the Obagi products in conjunction with it. But the whole program cleared me out.Starting from this year, I thought I would try out some other medical brands and stopped using all Obagi products for couple of months. And this is true. My acne went worse. It was not as bad as it was before the treatment. But it definitely went worse comparing last year. So I went back to use the complex A cream, the blender cream and the Te-pads in conjunction with other non-Obagi products. After a month of doing so, my skin was back to normal again. Even during my cycle period, I didn't get a single big breakout.Obagi program is definitely nose-bleeding expensive. And it is also a very harsh program. I don't think everybody can tolerate it. So do the research before going there. If you can't get over with the peeling and redness, then it probably is not for you. Since I started the program, I am getting so many compliments on my skin. And I even referred a friend there. And she was also getting very satisfactory results. All I want to say is that if you decide to go there, then just fully trust the doctors there; follow strictly with the program; be patient and be consistent. You will see results. And you will get what you pay for. More

this is by far the best skin treatment clinic & doctor.  Although I spend about $2000/year for products and treatments, I think this is by far much less expensive than some of the "spa facials" and expensive cosmetics you buy from dept stores.  I've been a patient of Dr Obagi for over 10 years and have referred everyone I know who is interested in skin care (some of my friends have had serious problems with pigmentation spots from sun exposure).  My skin is i the best conditio since my 30's (and I'm almost 60).  Most people think I'm in my 40's.  I cannot more highly recommend a skin treatment.  Although you may have to wait to see Dr Obagi, it is worth the wait.  He is very no nonsense and direct in his diagnosis.  His daughter, Sandra, manages the San Gabriel clinic and does the facials (therapeutic, not be confused with spa facials).  She is really good and takes time to answer questions and make recommendations). More