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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February 16, 2012

Pros:

It works
easy to apply

Cons:

Expensive

It works,ive been using this for about two months. I didnt get any dryness or peeling but my skin did burn when I washed it. My acne has cleared up I would say about 70 percent, my skin has become alot more smooth.will continue to use this product
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February 6, 2012

Pros:

Clears skin!
Helps control breakouts!

Cons:

Can be a bit drying
May make skin a bit red for a few minutes
Expensive without insurance

I've been using this product for a few years now, and I have to say that it's made a HUGE difference! Because it is a little drying, I'd recommend using a moisturizer in combustion with it. I used to have very severe acne, but now Its very light. I'll get a few pimples here and there, but it's nothing compared to what I used to have. I'd definitely recommend trying it. It may not work for everyone, but I know those with acne are willing to try most things at least once.
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February 3, 2012

Pros:

Works fast
If you have combination skin it doesn't dry your skin out too much.

Cons:

Price
Application time

This product has to be used at night. If used during the day it will worsen your acne. Sunlight, sweating etc. is a really horrible combination with this product. Believe that this product is going to work for you and it will. Don't stress. Acne is hormonal and cause due to overly active oil production in the skin. Stress causes and increase in the production of androgens. Androgens cause the oil glands in your skin to raise the amount of sebum/natural oil in your skin causing your acne to get worse. It's a good product, try it. Depending on your country it can be very pricey. I paid a god awful lot for mine.
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January 30, 2012

Pros:

-Gets rid of under the skin tiny little pimples (closed comedones?)
-Stops the nasty pus/red pimples from forming!

Cons:

-Could possibly cause massive breakout, scarring...
-Drying on sensitive skin

I have a strange combo oil/dry skin. Differin HELPED so much with the tiny little pimples on my forehead (I had about 20-30 tiny little ones -__- so annoying!) My forehead broke out when I first started using it (i got 4-5 cysts..I've never had painful cysts before in my life). I'm now almost at 2 months & my forehead is SOO smooth and clear! Except for a lot of PI marks.. but they are easily covered with makeup and are fading!!! *BIGGEST MISTAKE: I really do not recommend this if you have dry skin. My forehead is extremely oily, so putting differin on it got rid of the oil, cleared my skin up, and prevented new pimples. BUT I made a HUGE mistake that I have regretted very much. One day I noticed about 5-7 tiny little pimples (barely noticeable) on my cheek. I never get pimples on my cheek, so this really freaked me out. I put differin on that area and it dried that area up SOOO BAD. That area on my cheek broke out LIKE CRAZY! Now I'm left with 4-5 huge scars...just because I wanted to get rid of tiny little bumps that would probably have gone away by themselves. My right cheek will REALLY never be the same. Now it's constantly breaking out... ....but Acne.org regimen is working :D
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January 3, 2012

Pros:

Takes at least 3 months to work

Cons:

Initial Breakout and sun sensitivity

I hav been using differin for about 3 months. when I started using it it did cause an inital breakout, but not as severe of a breakout when I first tried Retin-A. I first started with the lotion (sample), being that its the most sensitive. My insurance reimburses me so I have to make the initial purchase up front. Which is super hard! Being that the most cost effective way was Walmart which is still 142 dollars. I am 25 and never I mean had a single pimple or breakout on my face, I took plan B once and Bam I broke out with little tiny Closed Comedones all over my forehead. Horrible! I tried a lot of otc products, proactiv, dermalogica, etc. The constant changing of products caused acne I mean the big white kind all over my cheeks. This was horrible going from having healthy glowing skin to this was a life changer, suddenly I didnt want to go out was gaining weight my marriage was going down hill. I seeked out a Dermatologist which took 2 months to get in, but it was the best thing I ever did. I started on differin (2nd medication after a royal fail from retin-a) and Beyaz BC. I just recently started to use the dermalogica daily exfoliant every other day. which is super sensitive to get rid of the all the dry flakes and bare minerals for makeup which I only use every Friday saturday only when we have dinner or go out. I now use differin at night on chin cheeks and forehead and on my forehead during day. It has actually helped. The only down point is the scar and hypigmentation I have from the IB, Dont pick people its so Hard I know get your self some good make up and let it ride out. usually the differin will take care of it with in about 2 days. I hope I help someone like me because I searched this site everyday and nothing really helps. Good luck do not quit!
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December 26, 2011

Pros:

Made my skin approx 70% clearer

Cons:

Worry about any side effects

I am really happy with Differin. In am 42 and have had acne since I was 13. Every pore was a pimple you could squeeze, and on top of that I was getting cystic huge throbbing mountains here & there, esp around cheeks and chin. Yes, the pill helped, but I now have high blood pressure from being a bit overweight and the pill is not advised. Then I went on oral antibiotics for 3 years without a break, and that helped too. But as I got older, this started to make me more prone to thrush. My Dr was reluctant to refer me to a skin specialist every time I asked, for years. So I went to a different Dr and demanded a referral. The specialist pushed hard for me to take Roaccutane but I completely refused as I'm grumpy enough being a single Mum with two children! She agreed that this happened to most people! And I would have to have a liver test before & after! - Alarm bells! So she prescribed (1% Adapalene) Differin SPARINGLY & only on affected areas + external antibiotics enderneath at night + in the morning under makeup) I refuse to listen to people who say makeup causes pimples coz I dont use makeup on my back chest & neck where I also get them!) Dr said to use Differin only on my face and "Phisohex" wash for my body where they aren't quite as noticable. Within a week the face pimples started clearing and the texture of my skin improved. I've been waiting for the flaking, soreness etc - NOTHING! I have one night break per week where I use and over the counter gentle pimple exfoliant,and smother on non-cosmodermic (?? non clogging) moisturiser, and I always wear sunblock if outside. I have been using it for 6 weeks now and love it. I intend to cut down to every second day in another month or so. Good luck - NOTHING to loose!
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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 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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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