Did you buy your obagi online or are you in a program designed by a doctor?

Hmm... probably depends on what obagi products you are using. When I used the Obagi Nu Derm and Obagi Tretinoin, it took a good couple weeks for the redness to fade. Who prescribed this program for you? A dermatology office? Typically, once you start Obagi the physician office is available for questions and can help you alter the frequency of the creams. For example, sometime if someone is really red and peely, the doctor can have you apply the creams every other day rather than every day for awhile. Having said that, if it were me and I had an important function in 4 weeks, I might just wait until after the function to start the system as there is no harm in waiting. Obagi really does work unlike many department store creams, the trade off is you might peel and become red for awhile. I would check with the doctor's office that sold you the product.