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 6, 2009

Pros:

This stuff did well for the couple of whiteheads on my face. It pushed them to the surface so I could pop 'em.

Cons:

It's very expensive, and has yet to make some of the bumps go away.

I have some red spots with a couple of blackheads under both of my eyes. This stuff killed off some of it, and has managed to suffocate the occasional bump on my face. My forehead has it's fair share of red bumps, and Differin has yet to kill them, although I've only been using it for 4 1/2 weeks.
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November 6, 2009

Pros:

Cheap

Cons:

Not useful for big, red, spotty pimples

I usually get HUGE red ones on my T-zone area (3-4 at a time) and it did NOTHING to clear it up. Cheap over the counter Benzyol Peroxide cleared it up better.
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October 30, 2009

Pros:

It works pretty well but doesn't do a full 100% percent job on treating my acne.

Cons:

Makes my face dry and turns white when I start working out and sweating.

Its just a mediocre product, I would recommend giving it a try but don't be surprised if it doesn't work perfectly for you.
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October 27, 2009

Pros:

Haven't noticed any yet

Cons:

Burns slightly and has made my skin worse so far

I'm not completely happy yet as it has made my acne worse so far which is not good. I'm getting more cysts too
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October 25, 2009

Pros:

it made my skin very soft and clear.

Cons:

it made my skin very dry at first and actually burned my face really bad due to puting way to much on. so be light on the amount.

it works! i would love to have more but i cant afford it right now
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October 7, 2009

Pros:

Used consistently, and in moderation, Differin gives you desired results.

Cons:

Sunlight sensitivity, initial increase in breakouts, redness/dryness/peeling

If you choose to use this product, you MUST commit to it. There is no way you will achieve results if you use the product once or twice a week. The product is very effective when used correctly. For myself, I would wash my face in the evening, apply the ointment before bed, then wake up in the morning to wash my face. Initially my skin became more red & irritated, a few more pimples popping up, but within the first 6 weeks it began to settle. There was 1 month's time in which I had a consistently severe series of breakouts all over the front of my chin. Through frustration, I aggressively applied more than suggested, making the appearance of my skin blatantly worse. If and when you do use this product, use it as consistently as possible to reap the ultimate benefits while keeping the "violent" stages to a minimum. When your skin appears worse, DO NOT apply more than only a small portion which provides a thin layer over affected areas. Use oil-free lotion/sunscreen to counter sideffects
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October 3, 2009

Pros:

It did help a little bit for a while. I managed to keep my complexion relatively clear for a few months with it.

Cons:

It took forever to start working, about 3 months to see any improvement. The first month to two months the redness and peeling is awful. Then, after a year it stopped working and my acne is much worse than it has ever been before (I am 23).

While I have not found anything that works better than this yet, I would not necessarily recommend it. Taking 3 months to work is ridiculous, and the amount of improvement I saw with it was minimal. The fact that it took so long to work makes me question if it ever did, or if my acne just responded to my stress level being reduced. Even after 3 months I still had frequent pimples. The peeling will continue for about 4-5 months and can cause your skin to look horrific. After a year, my acne became worse than ever before. So I would not recommend this, it isn't worth the trouble and the wait for minimum improvement.
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September 25, 2009

Pros:

Absolutely no pros

Cons:

Didn't make even the slightest difference on my skin.

I used this product for over 2 months with no avail. I did have painful cystic acne, the worst possible case of acne, and this product did absolutely nothing. If you do have large cystic acne you should seriously go straight to accutane. I used accutane and it's the only that that has worked, and I have tried so many products.
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September 14, 2009

Pros:

Meh, it worked well with medication I guess

Cons:

Didn't completely stop acne
Made me VERY oily
Gave me red marks

Meh it's ok. You'd be better off with BP.
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September 14, 2009

Pros:

It makes skin soft, is minimizing black heads, is starting to clear up pimples, helps heal and minimize scaring, dries out moderately dry skin.

Cons:

It is taking FOR-EV-ER for this stuff to work... But I was told it takes a month to ACTUALLY work. I read on here that a lot of people were told to use it as a spot? I use it all over.. So I don't know is that makes a different.

If you have the patients to wake for the effects, be prepared for a month until you see clear skin... I am still waiting but I can see it already helping in a lot of places.
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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