Adapalene (Non-prescription)
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Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Non-prescription adapalene is available only in 0.1% strength.

Adapalene is topically applied usually once a day before going to bed to all acne-affected areas of the skin, and not just on individual pimples themselves.

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5
17.9%
4
31.4%
3
23%
2
16.4%
1
11.3%

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October 28, 2007

Pros:

oh, just stupid magic trick at the beginning

Cons:

using differin was like suicide : INITIAL BREAKOUT

my friend intro it to me. so i tried it. and it worked! pimple gone in 3 days. [but i soon figured it out that it was one of the stupidest thing i've ever done to my LIFE.] ok, lemme tell my horror movie frm the start. i ran out of the gel. so i decided to get another one. there, the pharmacist intro me to skinoren. so i thought of giving it a try. it worked my PIH off. miracle. i finished the cream. decided to get another. and somehow i wanted to try differin again. so i stupidly bought one. i used it with confidence of course since it proved well at first. ALL OF A SUDDEN, i get a PUSS-full face. WHOLE face was yellowish whity bumpy idiotic pimples.almost killed me. i could cry!! i re-read all the reviews again, they said i may get the initial breakout at first and it will soon be perfect. i trusted those words. BUT suddenly my life was so awful with people everywhere looking at me and commenting about my face. TERRIBLE!!! use it if u dare.
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October 26, 2007

Pros:

Does not itch or burn, works well when you use it long enough, cost- rebate covered my $30 copay

Cons:

Takes almost a month to really work

I tried everything (including Differin once before) and NOTHING worked. Then my doctor convinced me to try differin again and it is the best! I did not use it long enough before. The first time I stopped after 2 weeks because I felt like it was worse. This time my derm said to give it a month and my skin has never been better. Keep with it- it actually works
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October 24, 2007

Pros:

Able to gently treat spots; Odourless

Cons:

Takes awhile to see results and loses it's 'magic' after awhile. Can make you face quite sticky hours after application. The first time I applied it, my face started peeling which took about couple weeks til it healed, but the spots were still there.

Have been using it for a bit as a replacement for BP cream (it's difficult to find it here). And so far, my face still has spots here and there - not entirely cleared. There have been times where it seems to show improvements, but new spots emerge days after. If I had BP at hand, I wouldn't think about using this.
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October 24, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

it was like a horror movie

This product LITERALLY burned my skin off. The skin under my lips, around my chin, around my nostrils and nose, and forehead were patches of red, raw skin, similar to a second degree burn. I was told that it would take up to 6 MONTHS to work and was prepared but it made my acne worse and after 4 weeks I was so depressed (the burns never healed during the entire 4 weeks) that I stopped using it. I have talked to several other users who had similar experiences. I have oily but dry skin with cystic acne and this product destroyed it. I use Skin Medica products and Clindamycin now and haven't had a cyst in months.
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

It didn't dry my skin

Cons:

It didn't work at all and it was a waist of time and money

I was prescribed differin by my doctor and i must say it didn't work for me at all...i was very dissapointed so now i am off of it.
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October 20, 2007

Pros:

Well I got clear while using Differin in conjunction to other products, so it must be doing something right!

Cons:

Your face will get red at first while starting out, but it will go away after about 2-3 months. If not, switch to the cream.

Differin really helped get me clear. It doesn't do much for blackheads, but it keeps other acne at bay by getting old skin off quickly. I found that after a night with Differin on, a rub with my fingers to my face rolled off lots of skin in the shower. I added a facial scrub in the mornings and now I have no problems with that anymore. Now that I'm clear I got the OK from my derm. to ease off of it after a year. Definitely recommend it!
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October 19, 2007

Pros:

Works nearly immediately on whiteheads (if you don't try to 'pop' them before they are ready)
Feels great on skin!
Makeup can be applied over this product fairly easily.

Cons:

None so far! No redness, and a only a VERY small amount of peeling. I use Neutrogena Sensitive Skin lotion, which works wonders (as per the derm.)

I've used Differin as a teenager and an adult. As a teen, I loved it, it kept my face clear in conjunction w/ Duac Topical Gel, and I never had problems at all. After having my first child (I'm now 26), I had what the doctor called "hormonally induced acne". It has lasted the entire time I breastfed my baby, and I recently had to stop so we could try to treat the acne aggressively. (NOTHING was working.) I have been on Differin and Doxycycline for 1 week, and I am already seeing an improvement in the smoothness of my skin! I had 3 whiteheads yesterday, and they are already almost totally unnoticeable today. However, I do my best to leave the lesions alone until they are "ready" to get rid of, and at that point I use a steralized needle to prick them, and then I lightly squeeze the stuff out of them w/ a tissue on my fingernails. Be careful, or you'll end up with scaring. I am happy with the improvement I am seeing, and I am excited to see what else can happen with this product!
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

Works amazing. The one and only thing that worked for me. Clear face, skin feels nice!!

Cons:

Takes 2 months to start working
Gets a little worse before it gets better

If you stick to it, religiously, it will work for sure!! Try once a day (at night) for 1st month, then twice a day for second month, then back to once a day when your face is cleared up. I use it along with Spectro Gel and haven't had one single pimple in a year!!!
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

It works. Real results within 4 weeks.

Cons:

Sligh initial breakout in the first two weeks.

I've used Differin for 6 months. From many new papules new each day to nearly none and very visibly clearer skin.
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October 14, 2007

Pros:

clears up every trace of acne.

Cons:

takes a little while for it to start working.

BEST PRODUCT...it cleared up all my acne without the redness and peeling. this is sooo much better than proctiv!! just give it some time because it WILL work!
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website