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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November 22, 2011

Pros:

I feel like my face is revealing new fresh skin

Cons:

adjustment period and it is expensive

I've been using differin for the last 2 weeks. the first week i used it 2-3 times a week, then I felt like my face adjusted so i started using it every night after i wash with cetaphil sensative skin cleanser. so far so good. i'm looking forward to weeks to come. ill keep you all posted soon.
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November 19, 2011

Pros:

haven't been using it for a long time, but has cleared up cystic acne, and has reduced redness due to acne.

Cons:

the second week was HORRIBLE! my face had became painfully dry around my chin, cheeks, and upperlip. i would use dermatologist recommended moustrizers and they would burn and sting HORRIBLY for the rest of the day! but the dryness was so uncomfortable i had to apply moustrizers! it also caused a little irritation and itchy bumps on my face. you also can't use face makeup for a while because it drys out face even more.

i haven't been using the product for very long, but so far i'm happy with the results minus the sideeffects. from what i've read you must consistently use the product to get the desired effects.
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November 16, 2011

Pros:

Relieved my acne within months. My skin is acne free for the first time in my life

Cons:

Dries out your skin drastically. Make sure to ditch your existing cleansers and scrubs with added medications (ex. salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) and switch to a mild foaming cleanser. Mine has added feverfew to calm the skin. Get ready for the dryness (even my eyelids started to peel) and make sure you apply as needed regularly.

Like many here, I have tried a ridiculous amount of acne creams, cleansers, lotions etc. Differin has, hands down, been the most effective medication in relieving my acne. Now I'm just left with some post-acne scarring. I love this product and would urge anyone to give it a try.
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November 12, 2011

Pros:

Clears skins
only one or two small pimples surface at a time which goes after 2 days or so

Cons:

horrible initial breakout
drying
hyper pigmentation seems to be taking a while to disappear

OK here goes!!!!!!!....I've had acne for as long as i knew myself...growing up i was always self conscious about my face and not wanting people to watch me. it seemed at the time that i was the only one i had seen in my area with such skin conditions especially among my friends. this was quite embarrasing because i would be approached everyday by people wanting to recommend out of the world things to me. I could see the pain their eyes when they look at me and my heart would just sink...even on the days when i thought it wasnt that bad and i had a little bit of confidence...someone would comment on how bad my skin is( sometimes not in a subtle way) and my whole day would be ruined...buttt enough of my sob story sigh.. As i got older i began using proactiv..it worked off and on and eventually i had to upgrade to the extra strenght verson which was very drying but it worked..in may I went home to the caribbean on vacation (WORST SUMMER OR MY LIFE) before i left the states from university i had already began to have a severe breakout out of no where!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was mortified...a week after i got home it got 100 times worse!!!...i literally stayed home every single day for 3 months that i went home because i did not want anyone to see me like this...i literally only left to go see my doctor and the dermatologists and to the pharmacy... the few times that i went out my skin indeed was the subject sigh...my GP recommended that i use diferin...at first i was skeptical because i already gave up....after the condition began to get worse i was worried and went to a dermatoligist to told me that i should continue using the product as well as clindoxyl and doxycycline.... 3 months later and the results were amazing...seeing my face now and how it was in the summer i cant even imagine how i could have gotten to this point when i dont cry when i look in the mPLEASE GIVE IT TIME PEOPLE...HOPEFULLY IT WILL WORK...USE A CLEANSER LIKE CETAPHIL! AND WEAR SUNSCREEN! G
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November 3, 2011

Pros:

Clears Skin
Causes Confidence - lol - seriously

Cons:

Takes a while to Start Seeing Results
Acne Gets really bad before it gets better.

I have always had Acne but it was always moderate, however earlier this year I began breaking out with cystic acne. (It was terrible) I Stopped going out and tried everything I could to get clear. I started using this and got the scare of my life. I didn't think my acne could get worst but two days after starting this it did. I was told that It would get worst before it gets better so I continued. Today is a little over two months and for the first time I can actually touch or scratch my face, lol sounds weird but if you have acne all your life scratching your face is a strategic mission. I will continue using it because I'm not COMPLETELY clear but I hope that I will be soon. TIME, please give this time, it really makes you break out the first two months I'd say. After that things get better. I'm giving this a rating of 4 because I'm not finished with the treatment so i don't know if it will work completely. So far it has given me back my confidence. Make sure you Apply Every Single Night! Don't use Soap. Find one good wash and ONLY use that with the treatment.
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October 31, 2011

Pros:

- Really does clear up skin
- Smooth Skin

Cons:

- Breakouts at beginning
- Can leave scars
- Very drying at first
- Can sting at first

I started Differin about a year ago, and it's definitely been a wild ride! The first few weeks are no fun. Your skin gets bad before it gets better. When I read all these reviews written by people who gave up after a month I just want to scream! You have to COMMIT to medications, even acne meds! My recommendation is to go out and buy a VERY high quality moisturizer before you start differin, and religiously apply it for a week before you start using differin, and continue using it. Your skin will be dry, Your skin will break out, Your skin will be sensitive. But if you're not willing to put up with it in the hopes of getting real results- then you're not really committed to getting clear skin, you're looking for the easy way out! Nothing works miracles, but differin has had amazing results for me! My skin isn't perfect, but it looks so much better. Now i'll have a single pimple, a few days with none, and then another one will pop up- but it's nothing that can't be covered with concealer! Just small red bumps that don't even really need to be hidden. Differin has restored my confidence, and I recommend everyone give it a chance!
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October 31, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up acne

Cons:

Requires a lot of patience
More sensitive to sun
Makes skin peel and dry

I've been using this for well over a year and it works fantastically, however it doesn't work overnight. For results you have to use it consitantly every night (no skipping nights) for months on clean skin (no make-up, soap, lotion, ect.). It took around 4 months for it to clear up all my acne. It made my skin peel off constantly but in order for it to work you have to keep going with it consistantly. Another thing is that once your acne has cleared up you have to keep using it, you can't quit immediately or it will come back. Thanks to this though I'm expected to be able to stop treatment in 3 months and be acne free.
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October 26, 2011

Pros:

Reduced the size of my pores,
Calmed some redness on my cheeks and improved my skin's texture. Also worked well on back acne. At the beginning, I'd say my acne was 'moderately severe,' but now I think it is 'Moderate.'

Cons:

Didn't reduce scarring,
had itchy and dry eyelids.

I used Differin for a little over 3 months. The Initial Breakout Period wasn't too bad, and actually wasn't any worse than before I started taking it. I saw a lot of improvements, especially with my skin's texture. Read the instructions that come from the pharmacy! They say only to use Differin at night (I applied it once in the morning, and my skin instantly went red and inflamed. The redness went away quickly, but it was still unexpected.) Also, do not apply near the eyes. I would apply it to my eyebrow area, and I frequently have dry eyelids. You can't see the dryness, but it kind of hurts to apply eyeshadow and my eyelids are more sensitive to being touched or rubbed. So avoid the eyelids!
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October 18, 2011

Pros:

.makes your skin look red
.could cause initial break outs
.forces you to reduce exposure to sunlight which could be annoying if your forced to ( i usually walk with my hand covering my face and i end up by every one staring at me )

Cons:

.side effects gradually reduce with time
.gel like so its easy to apply
.reduces swelling

ive been using it since 3 weeks until now . parts of my face are cleared up while i broke out in others . but i heard that it needs patience so ill apply it for one more month or so and see the results
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October 15, 2011

Pros:

It wasn't harsh on my skin and it made it very smooth after 2 months.

Cons:

May have made skin smooth but it leaves red marks that don't heal which is absolutely terrible. I am stopping my use of differin it's not worth it for me.

I really thought this would work after reading many positive reviews online and I had my hopes up and now I have been completely let down. My skin is considerably worst than ever and I blew money on seeing doctors and filling the prescription. The bottom line be cautious and it doesn't work for everyone so dont be afraid to stop using it if after 8 to 12 weeks if it's not working. All the best, Matt
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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