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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3.5
1649
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April 11, 2008

Pros:

It works well.

Cons:

Dry skin, peeling in areas.

I have been using this for about 5 months, and my face acne is almost gone. I now get one or two pimples every month or so. The bad thing is that my skin has not gotten used to the .04 medication. I do use both .1 and .04 and once in a while I skip a day. I have to use a damp cloth and basically scrub my face to get the peeling skin off, but I will continue to use it.
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April 11, 2008

Pros:

clears skin, it is a wrinkle fighter.

Cons:

Makes you really sensitive to the sun, amazingly sensitive, i always look like i was in the sun too much, and i had discontinued it for a long time ago. because it makes you red and pinky type of skin.

I was in a treatment for about 4 months, then i stop for a week and then started using it again, it did cleared me up, then i took creatine and i was breaking out again, so i continued to use it, but it just make me so sensitive i got tired of it, bottom line, use as little as possible, keep away from this medication, you cant go outside play in the sun for a few hours without sunscreen, you are always going to be red, not worth it.
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April 9, 2008

Pros:

Cleans up skin very well, and after first week or so cleaned up acne real quick

Cons:

It sometimes burns me and over drys skin with very little applied

How can you say this product is worthless wen hundreds of others wrote how great it worked?
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April 7, 2008

Pros:

helps clear my skin and makes my skin feel soft.

Cons:

dry skin.

i would recommend this cream as it does help cure acne.However, patience is key.It's irritating for the first 5 weeks but you get used to it.Don't give up!
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April 6, 2008

Pros:

Clears skin like CRAZY! Makes your skin feels VERY soft and Tightens wrinkled skin and makes your face look absolutely younger! It also help prevent acne as well. If you have something that's going to turn into a pimple, this makes it dissappear.

Cons:

VERY bad initial break out. It turned my skin stoplight red for a week. People laughed and said i didn't know how to treat my face. Peels a lot of skin. Makes your face tense. Costs a lot of money. Makes you vulnerable to usn damage while using

I'm in high school right now so I'm surrouned by people 24/7 with crystal clear skin and no acne. I, on the other hand, had mild acne(in the beginning). My face used to be clear then after a school break, my cheeks were COVERED in blemishes and pimples and what not. I was mortified. No one else looked like me. I visited a dermo and he prescribed me Retin-A micro 0.1%. I already knew of this product since i have been reading reviews on it from this website. I was very scared to start using it. During my first week, my face was HORRIBLE. My face peeled so much even though i constantly mosturized. MY face turned bright red like a stop light and it just kept getting worse. I even started breaking out more the next week. My face grew so tight, i couldn't even open my mouth. HOWEVER. The following week i woke up and all my pimples turned flat. Now on my fourth week I have the skin of a two year old. My blemishes GONE. It also evened out my skin tone. Don't hesitate. Clear Acne for good.
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April 4, 2008

Pros:

IT WORKS! I have awful acne with the black spots and some scaring. I am an Afircan American who has been looking for a product for the longest. Its been 3 weeks and already my skin is soft and the spots are fading. I can look in the mirror.

Cons:

Drying. Thats it and if you have white heads they will began to pop out.

It takes time but don't give up. This stuff does begin to work. I can't wait until its been a year.
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April 4, 2008

Pros:

It will EVENTUALLY work takes btween 1-2 months to notice initial results

Cons:

Worsening of breakout period was pretty hardcore

I'm 22 yrs old and is set to graduate in June. I was fortunate enough to never had skin problems during my teen years, But about 5-6 months ago, I've experienced a never ending whitehead outbreak on my cheek bone areas. I tried diff. washes and OTC and non would work. I went to a derm and he prescribed me retin-a 0.1% at night and benzaclin in morning. The first 2-3 weeks, I didn't notice anything except for peeling, redness, and excessive dryness. Around weeks 4-7, your breakout will inevitably worsen. But towards the end of week 7 and onward, your skin will gradually get better and a difference will be noticed to the touch and sight. So like everyone else saids, justs tick with it. It's taking me almost 2 months to see satisfied results and I only had very mild acne, so the time table is different for everyone, but the process is the same.
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April 3, 2008

Pros:

Clears up skin, leaves skin feeling baby soft, reduces acne scars, discoloration, etc. This product, used at night, along with Benzaclin/Duac (I've used both)in the morning, was my saving grace.

Cons:

It leaves skin sensitive so you need to treat it well. When you first begin using the Retin A, REMEMBER, it will get worse before it gets better. DO NOT give up, it took me a good 4-5 months to see true results. You will peel, itch, etc. apply lotion

Patience is key and don't give up on it. This product has truly been my savior after years of battling acne. My skin is now 97% break out free.
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April 3, 2008

Pros:

Makes my skin feel soft and Smells good!

Cons:

Initial Break-Out is a bummer, but no pain to gain. Been using 0.025% cream on face and 0.01% gel on back for 4 weeks. FYI-using 10% BP Wash for back. No noticeable improvement on face & small red bumps (rash-like) occassionally on back.

I like the way my skin feels when I use this product. It does not over-dry & really feels like it's working deep below the skin to bring back that soft baby skin. I've only been using it for 4 weeks so I don't know the full effects. The rash on my back I also don't know for sure the cause...I may be leaving the BP wash on too long for it's very strong and only supposed to be left on for 30 seconds. I've use Clindamycin, Sodium sulfacetamide & Duac which is a mix of BP & Clindamycin in the past. I hated the Clindamycin for it felt like glue on my skin and I felt like it was making my acne worse. The Sodium sulfacetamide worked well in combination with Minocycline; however, the sulfur smell got to me. Whooo...stinky. Plus, one of my friends was allergic to sulfur. The minocycline I believe gave me stomach problems. The Duac wasn't bad - it was less gluey feeling than plain old clindamycin, but it smelled kinda salty tarty to my sensitive sniffer.
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April 1, 2008

Pros:

Eventually clears skin completely. No blackheads, whiteheads or ugly red spots. Skin looks like a 10 year old girl's! Can even go out without make-up. If a spot begins to surface it is gone by the next morning when the gel is used overnight...

Cons:

AWFUL for the first 9 weeks of using it! Skin got so much worse before it got better... Felt ashamed of my appearance for the first time in my life. Try this out starting at the beginning of the holidays. Use DDF suncream and mineral foundation.

Ok... I have had problem skin since the age of 12 (I am now 21). I have tried antibiotics (topical and oral), millions of creams and even dianette (v strong contraceptive pill supposed to make acne better). Spots have made my life hell - staying at a friend or a boyfriend's house and secretly doing your make-up in the bathroom so they don't see your spots is no fun at all... Retin-A at first made my acne much, MUCH worse. I even cried it was so bad. My skin peeled and my forehead, then chin, then cheeks started coming out in big ugly spots... BUT, after about 6 weeks I started to see an imporvement. After 9 weeks I could look in the mirror and be happy. At 11 weeks there were no spots left and the scars were fading. My skin was smooth for the first time in 9 years. Advice: PLEASE STICK AT THIS. Don't start in the middle of the college term, like I did. Try it during the holidays. By the time you go back you will look beautiful. Use the gel consistently. Once every eve. Good luc
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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