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
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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March 30, 2010

Pros:

Basically it makes my skin peel a lot but my scars are almost all gone. My skin feels smooth and soft after a week of using it.

Cons:

I still get huge cysts under the skin but they go away quickly.

I would recomend using a soft cleanser like Biore exfoliating scrub. It helps the 'peelies' go away sooner and leaves my skin looking better. At first with this treatment my skin felt horrible and nasty, but I found that by using it about once or twice a week my skin has been getting less irritable and my friend has also been using it and her skin is perfect now.
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March 24, 2010

Pros:

you may see great improvement after 2 months

Cons:

drys skin

I have been using this for a month along with finacea and i have seen very little improvement.
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March 9, 2010

Pros:

-Skin More Tone
-Some Acne went Away
-It brings the crap out then got rid of some of it...
-Easy to Apply(but I miss being able to snuggle up in my bed because I have to be careful with my face lol)

Cons:

-Didn't help with blackheads on the nose.
-Tzone was still oily
-I got these red marks that were firm and bumpy, yet smooth and my derm said they were cyst underneath my skin, so apparently no positive results there.
-I am on my 12th week and I am still breaking out and even broke a cyst near my neck.
-Skin looks worst then before because of the redness on my skin that is still firm like I said before.
-Dryness [easily dealt with a good moisturizer]
-IB was really bad for me e

So in total I have been on this product for 12 weeks ~3 months.I used Retin-a Micro .1% right from the beginning. I would apply it religious every night right when I got it and surprisingly very mild irritation the first week and other than that just dryness and flakes after I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It was easily managed and especially with Cetaphil Moisturizer. I stuck with it for the recommended amount of time and it is sad for me to say probably I am one of those people who does not respond to this. I also took doxycycline, an oral antibiotic while on this to control the IB, but it didn't fair so well. So finally, I decided to see a real dermatologist and he is going to put me on Accutane. I definitely recommend it to everyone plagued with acne.Just try it out, if it works it works, if not go see your derm like me and he/she will either like my be dropped on accutane[Which I am glad, don't need to deal with topicals and acne(soon enough)] or find alternatives. Best of Luck! [side note: I got a 20 mg for free one month which got covered by my insurance, then next month policies changed and cheapest I got was for a $100... yeah sucks so that's why I put the price at 100]
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February 23, 2010

Pros:

-works well after initial breakout

Cons:

-routinely makes skin flake
-makes skin a bit red and inflamed, especially if you have sensitive skin
-stops working after a few months

For me, Tretonoin worked miracles for a month or two. My skin was clearer than ever and it helped fade post acne red spots, but it eventually stopped working about four months after I started it. I even tried a stronger dose of it for a couple months, and that did not help.
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February 21, 2010

Pros:

-Cleared up small pimples around nose area
-Face looks less red the morning after

Cons:

-Has done nothing for blackheads around nose
-Make breakout on forehead bigger and worse
-Bigger and more red pimples are emerging

I started using the 0.05% early in December. I used it for around two months and it didn't help me very much. It cleared the pimples in my nostril creases, but essentially made my forehead break out much more. I went back to the doctor, and she gave me a higher dosage, 0.1%. I have been using that for around a week or so, and I haven't noticed a difference. I use it at night, and the morning after my skin does look less red. I do experience some minor peeling around my nose, on my chin, and a bit on my forehead. To combat this I use Aveno Clear Complexion Moisterizer, more than I did before I started this treatment. Even though my first two months of the lowest dosage didn't do anything, I am hoping that if I stick with this dosage my skin will clear up.
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December 18, 2009

Pros:

skin seems smoother and more firm

Cons:

dry and flaky, a pretty bad initial breakout

Im using this product along with a round of doxycycline to hopefully get rid of everything. Im breaking out for the first time at 19 and it's pretty frustrating. I was unaware that this medication made you break out worse at first WHICH IT DOES! My face is way worse than before, but im hopeful that it will eventually be clear completely. Stick with it, im sure its doing its job
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December 18, 2009

Pros:

It does work

Cons:

burns like crazy after the first couple of days because it burn through the first layer of skin. you peel like no other. mosturiing does not help. it hurts to open my mouth even

it does work. but the first weeks are rough
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December 13, 2009

Pros:

Made me stop breaking out, no dryness

Cons:

Made my previously very dry skin very oily! Also enlarged pores all over my face, a problem I'd never had-makes my skin look bumpy. It gave me noninflammatory bumps on my forehead, where I never had such problems before. It also made my cheeks redder

I started using Retin-A because I was getting pimples that caused scars on my right cheek due to stress. Although it stopped my skin from breaking out (after a very, very mild initial purge that caused some scarring), Retin-A made my skin look much worse. I know that people have had very different reactions to it and I'm probably one of the few who didn't experience any dryness (even though my skin had always been very dry), but I thought I'd share my experience. I wish I had never used Retin-A. My skin would look so much better if I hadn't used it, but there's really no way you can know that before using it. I also never saw any effects (positive or negative) on the wrinkles on my forehead. I recommend praying. That's the only way I can deal with the negative thoughts and feelings I have about my acne.
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December 4, 2009

Pros:

Began to clear up my back/chest acne after a month.
Cheaper than other options.

Cons:

Never even touched my facial acne.
Severe headaches.
Problems focusing my eyes.

If you have mild acne it might work for you, but it didn't do much for me. My chest and back acne, as stated under Pros, began to clear up after about a month. If I had been able to stay on it longer, maybe my face would have cleared up. I started to have pretty nasty headaches after about 2 weeks on the drugs, did some reading and found that's a "normal" side effect. But as a migraine sufferer I don't want "extra" headaches. I also wasn't crazy about the idea of using an antibiotic for my acne. I wasn't pleased with it.
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December 1, 2009

Pros:

it works on acne and black marks,but not scars and wink-lies

Cons:

is it afforability not relly does it work agreebillity to get the acne away form your face yes

'it's ok
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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