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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Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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July 11, 2007

Pros:

Pretty good for treating mild-moderate acne. Helps fade acne scars.

Cons:

Acne will get worse before it gets better. Also turns your face red and lots of peeling, which was really annoying but bearable. Also makes you a lot more sensitive to the sun.

I have a dark skin tone so it looks really weird when my face is all red. Also made my skin much lighter which didn't really match the rest of body. And also makes your skin super sensitive to the sun. Well, it worked pretty well along with my doxycycline and clindamycin phosphate to clear up my severe acne. I wouldn't recommend using this product to treat mild acne cause theres lots of better products. If you can bear with the side effects, then tretinoin would be alright. Just don't forget to use sunscreen and moisturizer.
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July 11, 2007

Pros:

i think it is working ( but with a prescribed wash wash AND anti-biotic, who knows what is really doing it!!)

Cons:

expensive, but a little dab will do ya!, VERY DRYING when used in conjunction with Brevoxyl creamy wash

i think it is worth a try
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July 7, 2007

Pros:

wash my face with cetaphil cleanser,doesnt make my skin that dry anymore.

Cons:

peeling,breakouts never know when they finish,red,burning not that bad tho.

ive been on Retin A micro 0.04 and the 1st week it burned,dryed out my skin, and peel. This is my 17th day using Retin A at night and Benzaclin morning, (cetaphel as a cleanser, and aveeno miosturizer even tho i didnt have to use it that much cuz my skin wasnt so horrobly dry) , and i think im going through the initial break out but im not sure because people say its a bunch of lil pimples, and im gettin huge pimples that hurt like hell and its hard to pop them they take at list 3days to die! and some lil pimples. Anyways, i get 3 at a time,blemishes, one goes away and im already getting one..is that the initial break out???? since it doesnt burn anymore im thinkin of gettin Retin A micro 01 percent, since its more stronger ,rite? is that a bad idea??? im really sad of not seeing results and i want some support =( i havent gone out for so long cuz im embarresed of this , my acne is not that bad but enough to make me feel uncomfortable. will i break out again if i chanve to 01 percent?
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July 5, 2007

Pros:

Clears out the face.

Cons:

Makes the skin extremely sensitive. Takes many months to work. Dries up the skin.

Great product if you're following the treatment consistently.
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July 3, 2007

Pros:

It helped a lot to clear my acne.
Also it helped fade some post-acne red marks.

Cons:

The side effects: it caused my skin to peel and felt burning but they only lasted about a week. Also it made my skin look red.

I've used Retin-A Micro (.025%) it for about 4 months along with Duac Gel. It helped with my major breakouts and now i have just a few zits. It's better if youget the lower concentration if you do get it so you'll have minimal side effects. Plus Micro seems to work better so ask your doctor about that. i got mine for free b/c of insurance.
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July 3, 2007

Pros:

I think my skin looks healthier, clearer, and just nice overall

Cons:

cost, even with insurance it's still about $45 dollars for me. and, I'm still awaiting the much-hyped & dreaded initial breakout

I've only been using this for two weeks, but so far, so good. I started using it every third day, to decrease irritation, and am now moving to every other day. I've had minimal pealing/flaking, which is alleviated by gently exfoliating with a washcloth and using moisturizer. I must admit, I used Retin-A micro before, but didn't stick with it long enough to see results, and I'm a compulsive picker, which makes your skin look bad regardless of what products you're using. Now I'm using Tretinoin cream, which so far is not as irritating as the Retin-A micro. I plan to stick with it this time for at least 6 months to see real results of clear & smooth skin & less blackheads! Plus, this also helps peel off the top layers of sun-damaged skin, and prevents wrinkles-- perfect for those of us living in the desert!
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June 30, 2007

Pros:

my dermatologist said he swore by it. i dont know why.

Cons:

at first it dried my skin out really bad, but i kept with it, and now i wake up in the morning and it is so oily and slimy and gross. i dont understand how that is helping it?

im pretty sure it makes my acne worse.
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June 30, 2007

Pros:

um i really didnt see that much i think it can help reduce the size of horrible pimples but not by that much

Cons:

it did make my face really oily and gave it read marks after i used it over night

i didnt like it wasnt worth it tho maybe its only for somepeople becuase a few frends i know say retin a worked for them
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June 28, 2007

Pros:

It did not make my skin dry like my pharmacist suggested it may. It is easy to use and has replaced my moisturizer. It makes my skin less cloudy. Black heads are easier to extract.

Cons:

This product makes my skin almost oily, but more fresh looking than before. I worry about applying such a chemical laden product on my face. This product has increased the number of blackheads.

Still waiting for this product to start making my acne better!
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June 26, 2007

Pros:

clears mild acne..

Cons:

VERY DRY AT FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS! then MAKES YOUR FACE OILY!!! use sunscreen and have a good moisturizer.

i used it a little over a month but i still had really bad acne. i wanted to continue but the dryness and overall outcome was simply not what i wanted. It cleared out my whiteheads but not cystic acne... i guess if you stick with it for a while it will clear up, however it was not the case for me. good luck.
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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