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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September 20, 2007

Pros:

Keeps my skin quite clear, stops pimples before they develop AND it will keep wrinkles under control as I age.

Cons:

Can cause redness & flaking, but I just use less or skip a day and it clears up.

I have been using tretinoin products since I was 15 (25 years). It didn't completely eliminate my teenage acne, but it made a huge difference. Now at age 40, people hear that I use acne medication and ask 'why' since I don't have any pimples. But if my prescription runs out, after a few days I start to see pimples and am reminded why I keep using the medication. I now use Retisol-A, which has sunscreen built in, so I use it in the mornings. My dermatologist says now I get a dual benefit as prescription-level Retin-A products are the only clinically-proven wrinkle reducer. (over-the-counter products are so dilute they don't make a difference)
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September 19, 2007

Pros:

Does work after time

Cons:

Gets worse before it gets better

I had quite bad acne on my jawline and the anti-biotics I was taking were not helping so my doctor gave me retin-A and told me to wait 3 months to see results. Im glad he gave me this time scale or I would have given up because it makes your skin AWFUL at first. I would cry myself to sleep but didnt give up. Now after 4 months my skin is clearer and my scars are fading. Skin is still oily though.
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September 18, 2007

Pros:

Works great.

Cons:

Takes a very long time to become effective. Plus it worsens acne for the first few weeks very badly.

Please note... this is for Retin-A Micro. That works amazingly good. I got one tube ($250 for 45 grams!!!! :O ), which I used for about 3 months, and then my insurance decided to stop covering it. I switched to the generic stuff, which doesn't work as well. (My cost was only $7 a month because the copay was $20 on this prescription)
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September 15, 2007

Pros:

took away all the small bumps that were waiting to turn into big pimples. did go through a lot of breakouts but now really clear

Cons:

didn't peel but left skin oily.

i need to still give it more time 50/50 is how i feel
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September 14, 2007

Pros:

Cleared all after 33 days. But still lot of marks/scars on my face. How long will this take ?

Cons:

Very dry skin and flaky around chin, sensitive to sun, burning feeling when I apply moisturizer. The treatment is so long that I am not sure whether I made the right decision to use Stieva. May be I was better off without this.

Adult Acne: Never had acne in my life. Started with medium acne condition. 10- 15 pimples on my forehead and under the skin surface. Aug 10 - Went to see a doctor. Started on Stieva A (Tretinoin 0.025%) Aug 24 ' Went to see the same doctor again. Prescribed Erythromycin but asked me to wait two more weeks to start. First three weeks - very bad condition, more pimples and bigger in size. Forehead and chin were the worst. Aug 26 ' Went to see another doctor. I was prescribed Bezaclin and told not to use Stieva A if not effective. But I've read here that people have used both tretinoin and Benzaclin at the same time. So I took the risk and used both. Benzaclin in morning and tretinoin at night. Aug 31 - Saw little improvement but lot of pimples still under the skin. Sept 6 ' Started Erythromycin. Twice a day Sept 13 ' Cleared all. In Canada, it is so hard to get to see the specialist unless it is life threatening. Thanks to this website. I got m
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September 8, 2007

Pros:

This stuff is wonderful. I get constant compliments on my "glowing skin," and am often mistaken as a kid in high school (I'm 23 w/ 2 BA degrees & entering grad). When I applied for a p-t job recently, I was reminded that I had to be 18 to apply!

Cons:

*Flaking: I suffered extensive flaking until I finally found a combination of products that worked for me.
*Sunburn: You must wear SPF 15 or 30, and there are "no ifs, ands, or buts" about it. If you don't, prepare to suffer the sunburn from h*ll.

*Retin-A is extremely cheap. I can buy a tube from Wal-Mart for $35 without insurance ($7 with my insurance), and it lasts for 2-3 months. *With the right combination of products, irritation is minimal. "Don't go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me" by Paula Begoun is a great resource for finding effective yet inexpensive products. *Personally, the following regimen has worked extremely well for me: -In the morning, cleanse with Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser. Follow with an antioxidant serum. Once dry, apply Neutrogena Healthy Defense Moisturizer SPF 30. It sounds gross, but my skin rubs off in weird little balls; massaging it off takes care of flaking. Once done, apply more moisturizer and follow with Covergirl Aquasmooth SPF 15 foundation. -At night, cleanse with Neutrogena cleanser and follow with antioxidant serum. Wait 30 minutes, then apply a small amount of Retin-A .1% cream. *I have no flaking, stinging, or pain, and my derm approved of this r
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September 6, 2007

Pros:

It peels of your skin, which is actually a good thing because if you are using it, you want NEW skin. It eventually can even help with minor tissue loss as it stimulates the production of collagen.

Cons:

It gets better before it gets worse. It also really does burn! And you flake which no one likes, especially when you want to wear some kind of foundation because the flaking is amplified with any stuff on it.

give this stuff a good shot, and stick with it. It is one of the most recommended products out there and for good reason. I am not done with this stuff yet, maybe a few more months and I will be cleared up. For those with cystic acne: use this in combination with oral meds! Using it alone won't do sh**. I have been using both and am happy so far with the results.
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September 4, 2007

Pros:

Not only does it help acnce from appearing again, it also makes old scars dissapear.

Cons:

Very expensive if ins. doesn't cover.The first couple of months you will sometimes have severe drying, redness, irritation.

I have been using this product made from different companies for almost 10 years. If you want a quick fix, this is not the product for you. It took my face a good 3 months or more to see positive results. My face was a nightmare the first 3 months. I could not even wear makeup because my skin would just peel off everywhere and look horrible. But if you can make it through a few months of h_ll, then it will be worth it. My face is so smooth, my husband said it feels like baby skin now. I still have breakouts around that time of the month, but for the most part my face could not do without retin-A. Also, you cannot miss even one night, you have to be very consistent to see positive results.
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September 3, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my skin for the most part.

Cons:

I tried to avoid extra redness by using less and after a couple days increasing and that worked pretty good for me. But after 8 weeks my skin has stayed red but foundation covers that.

I started with pretty mild acne and i still get spots here and there so im not really sure. I use tretinoin at night and clindamycin in the morning so hopefully within the next few weeks i will get fewer spots. For the most part i am satisfied with this. Just wash your face with mild soap then put on lotion and wait 20 minutes then at first reduce the amount of tretinoin for the first few days then hopfully you will be free of irritation! good luck!
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September 3, 2007

Pros:

I have some minor scarring issues, and Retin-A seemed to help with redness over a period of time.

Cons:

I have cystic acne, so I figured that this stuff might actually help me to get rid of painful lesions faster, but it only made it worse. I've used it for almost a year, and I quit using it a week and a half ago. My face is now clearer and softer.

This might work for some people that have mild acne, but I don't think it is good for people with cystic acne. I have better results using Dove sensitive skin soap, and a gentle exfoliator. For spot treatment, melaluca has a roll on stick applicator which works miracles. Anyways, it's worth trying if you don't have horrible skin, but I wouldn't recommend it for people with cystic acne.
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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