I have been using tretinoin cream for a few weeks and need to ask some questions.

My skin is usually sensitive but surprisingly not irritated by the cream. My skin is flaking just a little but it isn't too crazy. Do you need to flake alot for the cream to be working? I haven't had an initial breakout I keep hearing about yet and I'm wondering when it will happen. I am planning to use this cream long term (up to a year) and I am afraid to break out alot. My skin is relatively clear. My left cheek is freaking out (was freaking out before the use of tretinoin) and my forehead seems to be covered in small red pimples. But I have alot of blackheads, hyperpigmentation and scarring.

Anyways when should I expect to break out alot and does everyone have an initial breakout? if I dont have an initial breakout does that mean it isn't working? Also I am using the 0.025%. Should i increase the strength to 0.05% once I have finished the 0.025% tube? My skin is a little less oily since I started and I have heard this controls the oil. When will the oil be less?

Thank you.

 

The cream is more gentle on the skin then the gel so that is why you may not be experiencing any flaking. I use the cream as well because the gel was too much for my sensitive skin. Typically you should see full results of the tretinoin after 3 months and if you are not satisfied with the results then you can up to .05 or try switching to the gel. A lot of people say the gel is better suited for acne prone skin then the cream.