Tretinoin
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Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

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Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.

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June 16, 2008

Pros:

It dries out the pimples so they seem to go away faster

Cons:

It does in deed make the acne worse. I've been using this for 2 months now, this is the 3rd month, and I have yet to see improvement.

Although it makes the acne worse, I think what its doing is peeling away the skin so that the hidden acne underneath will be treated. I'm sticking to this product basically because I know someone who has used it for a few years and she has gone from having acne to having beautiful, perfect and clear skin. It does cost quite a lot of money and it does make your skin peel and become dry. Although, I think the peeling and dryness can be dealt with with a decent oil free moisturiser and cleanser for oily skin like those made by Cetaphil.
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June 12, 2008

Pros:

Ughhh none so far.

Cons:

Really really REALLY bad breakouts. BAD. Worse than I have ever had in my LIFE. Not predictable, looks awful with makeup, dry dry dry, red, flaming.

I've been using it for 2 months. I've read that the 2 month part is the worst. Mannnn I really hope you guys are right with the fact that it'll get worse before it gets better because this is just nast. Both sides of my cheeks have visible dark spots that I'm praying won't scar. My forehead was really clear for the first month and this past week it is god-awful. I went on this because my acne was getting a bit bad...not THIS bad. I'm also on Duac gel in the morning for the red bumbs and for the first two months I was on an antibiotic. I go see my Dr. in about 6 days and jeez I hope some good comes from this because I feel like CRAP.
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June 12, 2008

Pros:

Worked great

Cons:

Made my face red until I got use to it.

Worked good. My Tri-Care insurance payed for it all.
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June 9, 2008

Pros:

Works quickly on individual spots, if left over-night. Smoother skin.

Cons:

Highly erratic. Severe 'initial' breakout' which leaves you with scars and red marks. Makes skin red, raw and sensitive, so even if it does eventually clear your acne - you are left with a nasty complexion.

I've been on Retin-A for 3 months now, and It has been a painful and depressing journey. I can honestly say, it is one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made. Seeing success stories has motivated me to continue putting this stuff on my face, but it has destroyed my once mildly clear skin and given me cystic acne, when I have never had it before. The "it gets worse before it gets better" was rubbish in my case, as the Retin-A caused so much acne to surface.. there was no way Retin-A would be able to clear up both the spots IT CAUSED and my original acne. Some people are willing to go through 6 months of the destruction Retin-A causes, but in this modern society it is primitive to think that a drug can make your condition worse for 6 months before it starts to heal it, IF it heals it at all. It may have just been my skin not reacting well to Retin-A, but I would never use this stuff again!
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June 4, 2008

Pros:

Clears up acne

Cons:

None

I was prescribed Tretinoin to use in conjunction with a benzoyl peroxide wash and minocycline (antibiotic). This combination has proven to be very effective for me. I cannot attribute the improvement in my skin solely to the tretinoin, but it has definitely improved. I saw improvement within a month of using this regime. A lot of other patients complained about dryness and peeling with tretinoin, I did not have these side effects (except for some slight peeling on the tip of my nose, but a little moisturizer fixed that). My skin is a lot smoother now and the only pimples I get are not noticeable by the eye, I can feel them, but they go away after a day or two. I get fewer pimples and not as often.
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June 2, 2008

Pros:

Retin-A has cleared up most of my acne. I had a lot of whiteheads on my forehead and other spots on my cheeks and scars. It's been 3 months since I started using it, and my acne got worse for the first 2 months. But this past month has been wonderful

Cons:

Initial breakout was BAD

You need to be patient with this medication. Most people don't see AMAZING improvement till the 6th month. You will see some good improvement starting 2 months. But your skin gets better and better with time. Take good care of ur skin while on Retin-A. Don't scrub too harshly. I used Cetaphil cleanser and sun screen lotion. Make-up is pretty much useless while on Retin-A, because the peeling skin makes it look nasty. But get through the first breakout phase, and u won't even need makeup after that. Now, I go out without makeup with confidence.
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May 30, 2008

Pros:

nothing.

Cons:

breakout and BREAKOUT ALL THE TIME.
you get so dry and so embarassed

i had awful acne all over my face and that daem cream made my face 150%worse in 3 days!!!! i am in such a bad condition that i m afraid to go to school.i hope jojoba oil and zinc supplements will work as my new cure. don't buy tretinoin really.don't waste your valuable time by waiting that hell to work
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May 30, 2008

Pros:

helps blackheads and whiteheads, seems to help pimples dry up faster, supposedly great to use long-term, my derm loves it for non-inflamed acne

Cons:

won't work on its own if you have acne that is inflamed; usually causes an initial breakout; takes at least 12 weeks to see results

The first time I used Retin-A was a disaster. I used it for 9 weeks and in that time my skin went from bad to worse. I had huge red spots all over my face that looked like welts or hives. In a panic I saw a derm (my GP had given me Retin-A), and she said Retin-A alone only made inflamed acne worse, and is made for non-inflamed acne. For the inflamation she prescribed azelaic acid to be used twice daily, and had me stop Retin-A for 6 weeks. Now I use azelaic acid morning and night and Retin-A at night, waiting at least an hour before applying Retin-A. The inflamation has really improved, but I've been using Retin-A again for 4 weeks now and have experienced a bit of an initial breakout again. Mostly I wanted to post on here to warn users not to use this alone for inflamed acne. My derm says she loves it and it will be great in the long run, but that I need something for inflamation too. Also, I used way too much at first-- a tiny pea size really is enough! Any more will irritate skin!
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May 28, 2008

Pros:

clears up acne very well except for a few spots. keeps acne under control for the most part.

Cons:

break out at first and make sure you don't pick them because they leave scars. dry skin and i am outside a lot so being sensitive to the sun was bad.

this is a very good medication. if you're patient and keep with it, it most likely will clear up the acne. you definitely need moisturizer and face cleaner. use a real natural face cleaner that won't dry it out because your face will be dry enough already. i highly recommend this.
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May 27, 2008

Pros:

Smooth skin, evens out skin tone, pimples last only 3-4 days

Cons:

Leaves scars, flaky skin, LOTS of redness, gets worse before it gets better, seems to increase oil production

I used 0.025% cream for about a month, then switched to 0.05%, and then 0.1% for the last month. Before I used this product, I had mild acne, but wanted to get rid of it, so I was prescribed this. After taking it for a few weeks, I started getting all these whiteheads on my cheeks and forehead--basically everywhere. Now I have moderate acne, and am left with scars from previous breakouts. There were some days I'd see improvements, and other where my skin looked terrible. The positive things though are that it has made my skin smoother (aside from the bumpiness I feel from all the whiteheads) and has evened out my skin tone. With this product, though, the negatives outwiegh the positives. I now have acne where I've never had it before. When using this, my cheeks and forehead were always brihgt red--especially when I was embarassed, which just made it worse. When I stopped using it for a few days, the redness subsided. I am now switching to Accutane.
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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