Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Works about the same as the other two topical retinoids, tazarotene and adapalene, and lands in the middle of those two when it comes to side effects. Should provide partial clearing, but comes with sensitivity when you first start using it. It probably won’t be a total game changer but it should help reduce acne.
Topical Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 12, 2009
Cons:
Made me go from mild acne to severe acne within 2 weeks!!!!! I am terrified of this stuff, it ruined my skin:( I used it for 5 weeks before I couldn't tolerate it anymore.
This stuff is awful!
February 11, 2009
Pros:
Appeared to be a miracle cream the first week
Cons:
And then all the fun started..
Maybe it's just me, but I have never reacted well to a retinol product. I had an awful reaction to Tazorac, and stupidly my derm gave me retin-a. I even asked straight up if the initial big breakout is normal, and she wouldn't give me a straight answer. So I used retin-a cause I figured that derms have to be right....WRONG. I am so embarassingly blistered, red and flaky right now, my skin is a million times worse that it was before. I seriously don't know what to do to get rid of it
February 8, 2009
Pros:
makes skin smoother
Cons:
redder, MORE breakouts everyday, does nothing to help prevent acne
I used stievamycin for a year and a half and my skin was getting a lot better. However, my dermatologist prescribed me a new product - retin a micro, and after using it for 5 weeks, inoticed that my skin has been getting WORSE. Never touching this product again, back to using stievamycin. Bottom line is STICK with your acne product and DO NOT use retin a micro. I learned it the hard way...
February 4, 2009
Pros:
Can't think of any
Cons:
It dried my face out and made my acne worse. I used it for 10 of the 12 weeks and took photos of my face to see the "progress." At the end of 10 weeks my acne had spread from my cheeks down my jaw and to my chin.
When I started using Tretinoin the physicians assistant who prescribed it said my face might get worse before it got better. It got worse and worse. I've since been told that it is a myth that any treatment should make you worse before you get better. That's just a line. At one point my face was so dry and flaky that I had a mask of little dry flakes on my face. I carried lotion with me everywhere. One day in an elevator I noticed a little girl staring at me and wondered why. It turned out that my face was covered in dry flakes (a la Austin Powers Goldmember) and I realized I'd forgotten my lotion. It was so embarrassing. I've been on a combo of doxycycline, sulfectamide face wash and clindamycin lotion for two and a half weeks now and my face seems to calming down nicely. At least it's not dried out or getting worse.
February 3, 2009
Pros:
None.
Cons:
Redness, dryness, irritation.
Retin-A Micro 0.1% completely destroyed my face. I started the treatment with mild acne and 2 1/2 months later I had severe acne. First two weeks were fine, aside from a little redness, irritation and dryness. By the end of week three my face exploded with whiteheads. At first I thought it was normal.. that I was experiencing the dreaded IB. I was determined to suck it up and ride through it. But my face got progressively worse until I finally had to stop, just after the 2 month mark. Right now, its been a little over a month since I stopped using the Retin-a. My face has recovered a little, but it is still much worse than before I used Retin-a.
January 28, 2009
Pros:
Pimples are smaller and heal faster, but breakouts are still prevalent.
Cons:
Horribly drying. Impossible to keep moisture in your face. The flakiness and peeling make wearing make-up near impossible. Many moisturizers and cleansers make my face burn when using with the product.
I've been using it for 3 months now with mixed results. My skin right now is blotchy, flaky, and very irritated, so I may discontinue it soon.
January 27, 2009
Pros:
none
Cons:
more pimple breakouts, redness, dryness
this product is probably one of the worse acne products i have used. I will definitely not recommend it. I used stievaymcin for a year and a half and my face was getting a lot better and much smoother. Then my dermatologist prescrbed me retin a micro - it was a huge mistake using it. After 3 and a half weeks of using it, my face has become much worse. DO not use this product, especially if you are a teen!!!!
January 16, 2009
Pros:
Clears my acne pretty well does amazing job drying up your face.
Cons:
I brooke out in these weird hive things that are totally descutsting. this is an embaressment. i felt like skipping school today but i couldn't. i do not think you should use this medicine it is plane horriable.
yeah your acne goes away but the descusting rashes come out. it is not worth the pain! do NOT use this medicine you pay to get yours face messed up worce then it was before!
January 13, 2009
Pros:
THE PRODUCT WORKS BUT I PERSONALLY HAD TO EXPERIENCE HORRENDOUS BREAKOUTS FOR 0VER 6 MONTHS
Cons:
IRRITATES SKIN, SUN SENSITIVITY, PEELING, VERY SLOW TO RESPOND
RETIN-A WORKS BUT IT TAKES FOREVER TO WORK, NO TO MENTION THE HUGE VOLCANOES THAT WILL DEVOUR YOUR FACE FOR THE FIRST 2 MONTHS .....IT BROKE MY SPIRIT EVEN MORE AND NEVER REBUILD IT BACK UP ....BOTTOM LINE AFTER 6 MONTHS I QUIT AND SAW LITTLE OR NO RESULTS ....IN FACT IT MADE MY SCARRING PROBLEMS WORSE ....I AM TERRIFIED OF RETIN-A N AND WOULD MUCH RATHER STAY WERE IM AT THAN MESS WIT THAT DIABOLIC CREAM AGAIN !!!!!!
January 12, 2009
Pros:
It cleared some pimples in the first few days.
Cons:
It made my skin incredibly dry/flaky and moisturizer would not help.
I would rather have pimples than the dry skin that this left me with.
Pros:
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!