Day 3 of Tretinoin

Well it's been four days since I started Tretinoin every other night. In these past four days, I've applied it twice. When I skipped a night, I applied a thin layer of Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) all over my face. I don't plan on using it all over my face unless I feel like I need to. Otherwise, I'm just spot treating with the Benzoyl Peroxide. I applied Tretinoin last night all over my face avoiding my mouth completely, along with my nose. I noticed when I put moisturizer on the areas I wasn't applying, my face was less dry. I then waited 30 minutes and applied the Tretinoin Gel on my forehead, chin, cheeks, and on the bridge of my nose. It burned really bad for about 6 seconds, but didn't after that at all. I noticed peeling more than the first night. Like when you get a sunburn and it peels, that's what my face was. Minus the redness. I don't notice any new breakouts, except for two pimples that appeared on my forehead. My face is a little more red than usual. Nothing too bad though. I can't tell if my scars are getting worse or not. My face has 2 pimples on my forehead, none on my right cheek, 2 healing pimples on my left cheek, and one healing pimple on my chin. I don't know what to think of this gel yet, since it's barely been a week. Hopefully I can apply the gel every night by next week.

Almost month 3 of Tretinoin.

Hey all. I haven't posted in a while due to being very busy. I have the time to post now though. I have changed my skincare routine to the following:

Morning:

Neutrogena Oil-Free face wash (orange liquid)

Once or twice a week exfoliate with brown sugar, raw honey, and freshly brewed/cooled down green tea

FirstAid Beauty Repair Cream

Spot treat with 10% B.P.

Occasionally use Queen Helene Mint Julep mask

Honey and cinnamon spot treatment

Night:

Neutrogena Oil-Free face wash (orange liquid)

Wait 30 minutes, then apply my Tretinoin gel (.025%)

Face condition right now:

My face isn't looking good. On Monday, I didn't have any pimples, and now I do. I have a few small red bumps on my forehead, one giant zit under my eye near the crease of my nose, about 4 small whiteheads near my mouth/lip-line, pimple in my eyebrow, small whitehead on left cheek, and healing zits all over my face that are not active/a bunch of red marks from picking.

I don't know what's going on with my face. One day I'll be clear and the next it's horrible. I'm also trying to stop picking at my face, but before I posted this I tried popping that zit near my eye. I shouldn't have. I'm disappointed I did. My skin has been crazy dry, but only at night because you're not supposed to moisturizer with Tretinoin on your face. As long as it's at night, I'm okay with that. I have cut out caffeine and soda out of my diet and have been eating an avocado every day. Along with that, I've been drinking more water and eating healthier. It doesn't seem to work though. I also have been sleeping on a clean towel every night. I don't use dryer sheets on my towels as I know that would irritate my skin. I'm starting to think most of my acne is hormonal, but my doctor doesn't think so as much. I guess I'll keep using it and see how everything goes.

Update on Tretinoin:

I'm thinking about giving up. Nothing good is happening to my face. Just a bunch of dryness and peeling; oh and MORE ZITS. I've tried literally everything in the drugstore/higher end and every topical cream that is prescribed. Nothing is working. I had a chance to go on Accutane back during the summer before 8th grade, but my mom is scared to let me go on it. My skin cleared up before I had the chance to try Accutane. And now we're back to square one. Red zits and scars everywhere. I might ask for an antibiotic to use with my Tretinoin; however I have tried Bactrim, this one blue pill that made me puke every time I took it, and Minocycline. In fact I tried Minocycline 3 different times on different dosages. I don't know WHY my doctor kept putting me on it. The one time I went to the derm they also said to give Minocycline another try. I didn't and my skin cleared up fine. But nope not now. UGH. I'm annoyed at my skin. I just want to be clear and not have to worry about seeing pimples all the time. I'm only 16 and have had acne since I was 10/11 years old. LIKE WHAT. It's already ruined my whole teenage experience. Whatever though. I guess not everyone can be clear.

The doctor probably put you on antibiotics because Accutane wasn't an option for you/your mom was concerned.

Since topicals aren't working, and that your doctor even brought up Accutane in the first place means you have to go on it. Ask for low dosages first.

The doctor probably put you on antibiotics because Accutane wasn't an option for you/your mom was concerned.

Since topicals aren't working, and that your doctor even brought up Accutane in the first place means you have to go on it. Ask for low dosages first.

This was during the summer before 8th grade (I'm in the middle of 10th now) but when we went the doctor said it WAS an option, but I cleared up on my own. My mom was all against it so I'm not going on it anytime soon. I mean, my acne isn't super bad. It's just I get a lot of red pimples and cysts more than usual. Is there a different antibiotic that I could go on? The reason my mom is so scared is because I have had stomach problems (really bad burning) and I have had depression before. She doesn't want me to kill myself.

The doctor probably put you on antibiotics because Accutane wasn't an option for you/your mom was concerned.

Since topicals aren't working, and that your doctor even brought up Accutane in the first place means you have to go on it. Ask for low dosages first.

This was during the summer before 8th grade (I'm in the middle of 10th now) but when we went the doctor said it WAS an option, but I cleared up on my own. My mom was all against it so I'm not going on it anytime soon. I mean, my acne isn't super bad. It's just I get a lot of red pimples and cysts more than usual. Is there a different antibiotic that I could go on? The reason my mom is so scared is because I have had stomach problems (really bad burning) and I have had depression before. She doesn't want me to kill myself.

Huzzah! Quoting works!

Depends where you live and what your insurance covers, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline, and clindamycin. Not sure if you tried those. I'm suspecting you used tetracycline, which tends to have the most side effects.

The doctor probably put you on antibiotics because Accutane wasn't an option for you/your mom was concerned.

Since topicals aren't working, and that your doctor even brought up Accutane in the first place means you have to go on it. Ask for low dosages first.

This was during the summer before 8th grade (I'm in the middle of 10th now) but when we went the doctor said it WAS an option, but I cleared up on my own. My mom was all against it so I'm not going on it anytime soon. I mean, my acne isn't super bad. It's just I get a lot of red pimples and cysts more than usual. Is there a different antibiotic that I could go on? The reason my mom is so scared is because I have had stomach problems (really bad burning) and I have had depression before. She doesn't want me to kill myself.

Huzzah! Quoting works!

Depends where you live and what your insurance covers, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline, and clindamycin. Not sure if you tried those. I'm suspecting you used tetracycline, which tends to have the most side effects.

I've used Doxycycline, Minocycline, and Clindamycin. I don't know if I have tried Erythromycin or Tetracycline. Oh and the part about stomach burning was not due to an antibiotic. We never figured out what it was but it went away for now. *knocks on wood*

Day WHATEVER on Tretinoin. (Almost 15 weeks)

I am so over this Tretinoin crap. I woke up this morning with 5 or 6 new whiteheads on my chin/mouth/jawline area. They aren't small but also aren't huge. They're big enough to make me want to rip my face off though. This morning I washed with a gentler cleanser called Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser. It didn't make my face burn like that Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash did. Then I used an Olay exfoliating wet wipe to get the dead skin off opposed to using a harsh scrub, put BP ALL over my face instead of a spot treatment, waited, then moisturized with my FirstAidBeauty Repair Cream. That zit on my forehead was leaking so I popped it. A bunch of stuff came out and I cleaned it up and put Neosporin on it. I definitely don't feel the pressure I was feeling last night from this zit. It looks smaller and feels smaller too. I'm holding back from popping these whiteheads I woke up with. I hope my doctor doesn't tell me to continue with treatment and doesn't give me something else. I've been on Tretinoin for nearly 15 weeks and people are supposed to have results within 8 weeks.

People keep mentioning Accutane. I have thought about trying it and kind of want to now, but my family has health issues (my dad has super high blood pressure, mom had breast cancer, and so on..) and with the risks of Accutane, my mom doesn't think I should take it. It may be my last option though. I know I don't have SEVERE acne, but I have had it since I was 10/11 years old and it is very persistent. I'd say it's maybe moderate. I have problems with cysts but not every pimple is one. Most of them are pesky red bumps that form into whiteheads within a day. I've also had depression before which isn't good when considering Accutane. I also had problems with my stomach burning that we have never figured out. It doesn't happen anymore but we still never figured out what the cause was. (not due to antibiotics as I haven't taken any in almost 2 years). I guess I need some insight. I need help deciding what to do with my acne. Nothing is working for me and it's pissing me off. My parents don't understand and it bothers me a bunch. About the depression part, it's due to my acne...so maybe it would be best to take Accutane. It's just the side effects scare the hell outta me.

I'm sorry your having such bad luck with the tretinoin gel

I'm just starting Biacna also called Ziana --- its combination of clindamycin antibiotic and tretinoin gel. maybe you need to try an antibiotic on your face as well as the retinol as the retinol will stimulate new skin growth but if your pores have a colony of bacteria in them they will spread and the retinol may not be enough. Maybe rather than giving up the tretinoin gel altogether as you have already been on it for so long, you can try the combination that Ziana offers? and maybe have more success? Also I found that using a Clairsonic helps with the shedding of extra skin.. that in theory, could reclog your pores. gentle clairsonic at night 40 mins before Ziana gel then a light oil-free moisturizer. then in morning --- light cleanse (no clairsonic), soothing claiming toner and 30+SPF ---

good luck

I'm sorry your having such bad luck with the tretinoin gel

I'm just starting Biacna also called Ziana --- its combination of clindamycin antibiotic and tretinoin gel. maybe you need to try an antibiotic on your face as well as the retinol as the retinol will stimulate new skin growth but if your pores have a colony of bacteria in them they will spread and the retinol may not be enough. Maybe rather than giving up the tretinoin gel altogether as you have already been on it for so long, you can try the combination that Ziana offers? and maybe have more success? Also I found that using a Clairsonic helps with the shedding of extra skin.. that in theory, could reclog your pores. gentle clairsonic at night 40 mins before Ziana gel then a light oil-free moisturizer. then in morning --- light cleanse (no clairsonic), soothing claiming toner and 30+SPF ---

good luck

There is no way I can afford a Clarisonic. I don't have the money for anything like that. I did try a generic version of the antibiotic and it made me puke every time I took it. That's why I am strongly considering Accutane. It'll be cheap with our insurance too. I want the Clarisonic but spending that much on something that might aggravate my acne isn't worth it. And I just can't afford it.

Update:

My chin looks crazy as does my forehead. WHY. I also feel a cyst coming on the side of my nose. Lovely. I'm most worried about my chin. Literally like 8 small bumps or more on my chin. I'm gonna call the dermatologist and have them get me in sooner if someone cancels. I'm starting to scar after every zit like I used to which worries me.

I'm sorry your having such bad luck with the tretinoin gel

I'm just starting Biacna also called Ziana --- its combination of clindamycin antibiotic and tretinoin gel. maybe you need to try an antibiotic on your face as well as the retinol as the retinol will stimulate new skin growth but if your pores have a colony of bacteria in them they will spread and the retinol may not be enough. Maybe rather than giving up the tretinoin gel altogether as you have already been on it for so long, you can try the combination that Ziana offers? and maybe have more success? Also I found that using a Clairsonic helps with the shedding of extra skin.. that in theory, could reclog your pores. gentle clairsonic at night 40 mins before Ziana gel then a light oil-free moisturizer. then in morning --- light cleanse (no clairsonic), soothing claiming toner and 30+SPF ---

good luck

There is no way I can afford a Clarisonic. I don't have the money for anything like that. I did try a generic version of the antibiotic and it made me puke every time I took it. That's why I am strongly considering Accutane. It'll be cheap with our insurance too. I want the Clarisonic but spending that much on something that might aggravate my acne isn't worth it. And I just can't afford it.

 

Update:

My chin looks crazy as does my forehead. WHY. I also feel a cyst coming on the side of my nose. Lovely. I'm most worried about my chin. Literally like 8 small bumps or more on my chin. I'm gonna call the dermatologist and have them get me in sooner if someone cancels. I'm starting to scar after every zit like I used to which worries me.

Oh, I hope you get in sooner! I'm really hoping every pimple doesn't literally leave a crater! Red marks are more tolerable and go away eventually.

I'm sorry your having such bad luck with the tretinoin gel

I'm just starting Biacna also called Ziana --- its combination of clindamycin antibiotic and tretinoin gel. maybe you need to try an antibiotic on your face as well as the retinol as the retinol will stimulate new skin growth but if your pores have a colony of bacteria in them they will spread and the retinol may not be enough. Maybe rather than giving up the tretinoin gel altogether as you have already been on it for so long, you can try the combination that Ziana offers? and maybe have more success? Also I found that using a Clairsonic helps with the shedding of extra skin.. that in theory, could reclog your pores. gentle clairsonic at night 40 mins before Ziana gel then a light oil-free moisturizer. then in morning --- light cleanse (no clairsonic), soothing claiming toner and 30+SPF ---

good luck

There is no way I can afford a Clarisonic. I don't have the money for anything like that. I did try a generic version of the antibiotic and it made me puke every time I took it. That's why I am strongly considering Accutane. It'll be cheap with our insurance too. I want the Clarisonic but spending that much on something that might aggravate my acne isn't worth it. And I just can't afford it.

 

Update:

My chin looks crazy as does my forehead. WHY. I also feel a cyst coming on the side of my nose. Lovely. I'm most worried about my chin. Literally like 8 small bumps or more on my chin. I'm gonna call the dermatologist and have them get me in sooner if someone cancels. I'm starting to scar after every zit like I used to which worries me.

Oh, I hope you get in sooner! I'm really hoping every pimple doesn't literally leave a crater! Red marks are more tolerable and go away eventually.

Every single pimple on my cheek does. Which is why I'm happy that at least my cheeks have calmed down. I do scar very easily though. I'm also very pale so it's 100% more noticeable. haha. thanks for the support!

I'm sorry your having such bad luck with the tretinoin gel

I'm just starting Biacna also called Ziana --- its combination of clindamycin antibiotic and tretinoin gel. maybe you need to try an antibiotic on your face as well as the retinol¦ as the retinol will stimulate new skin growth but if your pores have a colony of bacteria in them they will spread and the retinol may not be enough. Maybe rather than giving up the tretinoin gel altogether as you have already been on it for so long, you can try the combination that Ziana offers? and maybe have more success? Also I found that using a Clairsonic helps with the shedding of extra skin.. that in theory, could reclog your pores¦. gentle clairsonic at night 40 mins before Ziana gel¦ then a light oil-free moisturizer¦. then in morning --- light cleanse (no clairsonic), soothing claiming toner and 30+SPF ---

good luck

There is no way I can afford a Clarisonic. I don't have the money for anything like that. I did try a generic version of the antibiotic and it made me puke every time I took it. That's why I am strongly considering Accutane. It'll be cheap with our insurance too. I want the Clarisonic but spending that much on something that might aggravate my acne isn't worth it. And I just can't afford it.

 

Update:

My chin looks crazy as does my forehead. WHY. I also feel a cyst coming on the side of my nose. Lovely. I'm most worried about my chin. Literally like 8 small bumps or more on my chin. I'm gonna call the dermatologist and have them get me in sooner if someone cancels. I'm starting to scar after every zit like I used to which worries me.

Oh, I hope you get in sooner! I'm really hoping every pimple doesn't literally leave a crater! Red marks are more tolerable and go away eventually.

Every single pimple on my cheek does. Which is why I'm happy that at least my cheeks have calmed down. I do scar very easily though. I'm also very pale so it's 100% more noticeable. haha. thanks for the support!

Hey, no problem!

It's like no matter what skin tone you have, there's no way to avoid scars or be less prone to them.

Hi Leoine,

I just read over your posts and I'm sorry to hear you've had a crappy experience with tretinoin. I noticed a couple of things I wanted to share with you in case your dermatologist keeps you on tretinoin.

• The Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne's active ingredient is salicylic acid, which is bad news when combines with tretinoin. Salicylic acid is essentially an exfoliant and one of the effects of tretinoin is to thin out the layers of your skin. If someone exfoliates "thinner" skin the likelihood of serious irritation is huge. So try and steer clear of anything with salicylic acid when on tretinoin.
• Bactrim is not actually an antibiotic. It's a "sulfa-drug," which many people have poor reactions to. So if you were throwing up from it, that makes total sense.
• Minocycline and tretinoin by themselves definitely have their limitations. However when they are combined, their sum is greater than their parts. We see a ton of patients who have tried one or both individually, but when they combine them some magic happens.

Anyways, I know this is unrequested advice, but I felt your struggle and wanted to share. If I could say anything else, I'd add that you're putting so much on your skin! Talk to the dermatologist about all of these treatments and how they react together. Many times putting on a bunch of treatments will make them all worse less effectively. Just something to consider.

I really wish you the best on your path to clear skin. Good luck!

I knew the Salicylic Acid was a bad idea while on Tretinoin. But my doctor told me I HAVE TO use it or it'll get worse. I don't use Benzoyl Peroxide on my face anymore. I just spot treat during the day with Tea Tree Oil. My face wash only has .5% Salicylic Acid. I have to use jojoba oil and my FirstAid Beauty cream during the day because of how dry I am. That's all I put on my face now. I'm very disappointed in my doctor honestly. She kept telling my to use a 2% Salicylic Acid face wash with BP during the day. She suggested the Depo shot KNOWING I have had history to breakouts and she never told me it would cause acne. But when I saw another doctor in the same clinic, she said it does cause acne. that's why I am so glad I am going to a dermatologist. They'll know what to do. I can't handle Minocycline by the way. My doctor put me on it, then my old dermatologist did in a higher dose with some cream, and then my doctor gave me it AGAIN after it didn't work the first two times. UGH. I broke out worse then every while on it and I was on it for almost a year. Thanks for your words of wisdom. I appreciate it all.

"Thinning the skin" is not a bad property. It depends how compact the stratum corneum becomes. IIRC, the thickness of the stratum corneum returns to normal after 6 months of tretinoin use.

Reading the last half of the paragraph gave me a headache. Ping-ponging from one doctor to another, much? Argh. That's why I advocate going straight to a dermatologist and not the GP nonsense.

"Thinning the skin" is not a bad property. It depends how compact the stratum corneum becomes. IIRC, the thickness of the stratum corneum returns to normal after 6 months of tretinoin use.

Reading the last half of the paragraph gave me a headache. Ping-ponging from one doctor to another, much? Argh. That's why I advocate going straight to a dermatologist and not the GP nonsense.

You're telling me. My primary doctor is horrible. Why would she prescribe me Minocycline when I was already on it for a year and nothing happened? AND at a lower dose. lol like what are you doing?!

"Thinning the skin" is not a bad property. It depends how compact the stratum corneum becomes. IIRC, the thickness of the stratum corneum returns to normal after 6 months of tretinoin use.

Reading the last half of the paragraph gave me a headache. Ping-ponging from one doctor to another, much? Argh. That's why I advocate going straight to a dermatologist and not the GP nonsense.

You're telling me. My primary doctor is horrible. Why would she prescribe me Minocycline when I was already on it for a year and nothing happened? AND at a lower dose. lol like what are you doing?!

I dunno, maybe she assumed/thought that your acne subsided a little?

That smiley you posted is how I feel every time I see her. HAH. But whatever. I'll be going to the dermatologist in about a month and a half or so.

It wouldn't let me quote you, sorry.

Quoting is being temperamental again, especially when someone posts an emoticon.

~1.5 months just seems too long. Keeping my fingers crossed for you while knocking on wood!

Quoting is being temperamental again, especially when someone posts an emoticon.

~1.5 months just seems too long. Keeping my fingers crossed for you while knocking on wood!

My dad called and had us set on a waiting list if anyone cancels. I'm praying to God that someone does. Or like 5 people cancel and I can get in by mid March. lol! Thanks so much for being so supportive! It means the world to me, really!

It's what I'm here for!

*melts at your comment*

Week 16 or 16 1/2.

Well I haven't worn makeup for nearly 2 weeks. It feels nice. I still can't go anywhere important without makeup however. As for the breakouts on my chin and forehead, my forehead is looking much better. I think it's because I started doing a honey and cinnamon face mask 2-3 times a week and cut out the artificial mask. I also did my own little study: When I had my breakouts on my forehead and chin I stopped popping the ones on my forehead because they would always get so big and take forever to go away. I continued to pop the ones on my chin. My forehead healed up while my chin hasn't. I do think popping is linked to more breakouts. I haven't pop any pimples on my chin since yesterday morning and I have 2 whiteheads that are just mocking me to be popped. I will strain from it and see if my chin clears up.

My dad keeps calling the dermatologist to see if anyone has cancelled. He won't let me buy anymore stuff for my face either. I mean, he won't let me try anything else until we see a dermatologist. Which is fine because I like what I'm using right now. I have a whole different problem though: birth control. My family had a history of blood clots; mainly on my mom's side. Birth controls can raise that risk and I am terrified. I just thought one person on her side of the family actually had it but quite a few people have. They are related by blood as well so it does in fact run in the family.

I'm also wondering what kind of foundation doesn't break people out. I really want to get the L'oreal True Match liquid foundation because Revlon is WAY too heavy and breaks me out and I think Rimmel does as well. I wish we had Physician's Formula in my local Walgreens. They don't carry ANYTHING. I totally feel like I am rambling but I think my boyfriend is getting tired of me talking about this to him. hah poor him. He doesn't mind really. I could be wearing a few spot treatments on my face during the day and he wouldn't care.

ANYWAY. I guess the condition of my face is decent. I have been noticing that my cheek scars have been healing since I haven't had a breakout there. I feel like a few scars on my right cheek are indented, which sucks because I have no figure out what to do about that.

Week 17.

Things don't look good. I keep breaking out and breaking out. I just woke up with a painful zit on my chin and have no clue why. This Tretinoin SUCKS. I feel so lead on by my doctor. She kept telling me it would clear me for sure and that I wouldn't have to worry anymore. Well, I'm breaking out worse and in places I never have before. My blackheads and turning into painful whiteheads on my forehead. I know if I stop using it until my dermatologist visit things will be worse. This is SO UPSETTING. I never got breakouts on my forehead until I started using this stuff. Yes, my cheeks have cleared up but that's it. My chin/jawline and forehead are horrible. I also just found of blood clots run in my mom's side of the family more than I thought. So now I don't know about birth control. UGH. Someone just give me a new face, I'm sick of mine. It's so embarrassing. I'm glad I'm going to a dermatologist but 30 days is too long. My skin is in need NOW. I already have bad scarring but my doctor just kept telling me it'll go away and blah blah blah! I even asked about how to get rid of them and she said to use a washcloth on my face and gently scrub. PRETTY SURE THAT IRRITATES MY SKIN AND DOES NOT HELP. It's irritating. SUPER IRRITATING. I trusted her with my skin and it's ruined. 4 months is too long for "purging".

Week 18 maybe?

The reason I stopped using Tretinoin was because I broke out SO BAD. I literally have 6 zits just on the side of my chin/next to my mouth on each side of my face, a huge zit on my forehead above my eyebrow, a cyst right under my lip, and a few small pimples scattered on my forehead. Over the course of 3 days my skin went from nearly clear to not even close. I also have been getting zits under my chin (not on my next, more under my chin) along with some painful under the skin zits near the top of my hairline.I also switched up my regime because a Salicylic Acid face wash wasn't working along with the Tretinoin, which gave me all my current pimples.

Morning/night:

Oxy Maximum Action face wash (10% BP)

Oxy Daily Defense pads (2% S.A.)

Clean and Clear Advantage Spot treatment (I use it all over in a thin layer, this is 2% S.A.)

I'm almost positive that after not using Tretinoin my skin is so oily, which is why I am not moisturizing unless I use makeup. For that I use First Aid Beauty Repair Cream and 100% jojoba oil (GNC's Now brand)

I'm hoping for Accutane now. I want to be able to just use a face wash and moisturizer and not have to worry about treatments on my face. I'm sick of feeling my face and finding new zits. I'm sick of my face looking so lumpy. I feel betrayed by my doctor. I wish she would have told me that the Depo-Provera shot causes acne. Instead, I had to hear it from another doctor in the SAME clinic. She also kept telling me Tretinoin was basically the cure. I still had bad breakouts after 4 months and she didn't even want to try anymore, so she sent me to the dermatologist. In 24 days I'll be going. I'm thinking of making a list of everything I tried so that I don't look dumb trying to pronounce everything and so she can actually see what I have tried. She seems promising. The doctor's referred me on Thursday and said the dermatologist would call Friday, but instead she called an hour or a few after the doctor referred me. I feel hopeful. You guys don't probably want to see my ranting anymore but it helps. I'm sure my boyfriend is getting sick of me complaining about my skin even though he's had it super bad (apparently) and he's just so supportive. I told him what Accutane was and that I wanted it, and he's on board. He thinks it'll benefit me.