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Side Effects
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.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
June 27, 2008
Cons:
Initial breakout phase. Redness and dryness. But that can be handled with an oil-free non comegenic mosturizer with some sort of SPF.
I believe this is the best acne medication available. Better than accutane. I believe so because once you get past the initial breakout stage this medication keeps your skin clear, and also has anti aging effects. It is excellent for your skin, and you can use it everyday for the rest of your life if you want. The effects of accutane fade for a percentage of people. I was on it twice, both times with great results, but years later my acne came back. Retin-A works the same, it almost gives me face the same accutane feel. It is really powerful stuff, and cheap with insurance. Cost me 5 bucks a bottle which lasts for a long long time.
May 28, 2008
Pros:
clears up acne very well except for a few spots. keeps acne under control for the most part.
Cons:
break out at first and make sure you don't pick them because they leave scars. dry skin and i am outside a lot so being sensitive to the sun was bad.
this is a very good medication. if you're patient and keep with it, it most likely will clear up the acne. you definitely need moisturizer and face cleaner. use a real natural face cleaner that won't dry it out because your face will be dry enough already. i highly recommend this.
May 14, 2008
Pros:
My made my skin a little less oilier.
Cons:
It made my skin really dry, and a lot of acne still formed.
It didn't work for me.
May 1, 2008
Pros:
cheap, helps oiliness
Cons:
thinned my skin permanently
only used the 0.025%...TERRIBLE stuff..it GAVE me pores all over my face and a bunch of pitted scars where i wasnt even breaking out...i never got any initial breakout from it but it's made my face look ray liotta's now. my advice is don't keep using it if you see it scarring your face.
April 27, 2008
Cons:
help! no improvement yet!
I've tried using Retin A several times in the past and only make it to about 5 weeks because it seems like the red marks only get redder and brighter and don't seem to ever want to go away. I don't break out just can't get rid of the red. It's been 5 years since I tried it and my Dr. convinced me to try again. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm on week 4 and again getting frustrated but read other reviews that make me want to wait it out. I'm wondering if I'm allergic though?
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.
February 22, 2008
Pros:
none
Cons:
red, itchy skin
Haven't seen an improvement yet. Ana- who is your dermatologist? I want to try accutane also because I have such oily skin too. Thanks!
February 2, 2008
Pros:
less pimples forming.
Cons:
Makes my skin very red which doesnt go away. spots from past pimples aren't going anywhere.
i'm on week four of my tretinoin treatment, along with doxy [200mg/day] and clindamycin lotion. i use cetaphil cleanser and moistuerizer. so far nothing special. my lesions have flattened but they're not going anywhere. and it hasn't helped at all with blackheads.
January 4, 2008
Pros:
eliminated breakouts, reduced new hyperpigmentation and continues to fade old scars.
Has dramatically reduced the amount I spend on acne product (used to use proactiv.)
Cons:
Takes faith. Made acne worse and took a full 12-13 weeks for it too work for me. Experienced dryness at first but applied proactiv revitalizing toner with cotton to hydrate and remove flaking skin. Wouldnt suggest it if u have mild acne.
I've had acne since my senior year in college. At first it was mild but as I got older it started to worsen (currently 25). As a darker skinned individual the effects of each pimple would result in hyperpigmentation that would take months to fade. After not too long I was covered with such scars. 6 months ago my acne got much worse and I knew it was time to try something new to get rid of this very agitating problem. I started using tretinoin micro .025% about 4.5 months ago. I knew going into the treatment knowing that the problem would most likely worsen prior to it getting better. I certainly got worse especially on one side of my face. This continued for about 3 months. I think the only reason I stayed with it is because after about two months i noticed it was helping my hyperpigmentation. But then all of a sudden I HAD NO MORE BREAKOUTS, not a single pimple. Its been about 5 weeks since i've had a pimple and it feels so good seeing
my face improve daily.
December 31, 2007
Pros:
Mixed feelings...
Easy to apply-only a pea size for the whole face
No bad smell
Cons:
Dry lips
Flaky, dry, itchy skin
Some redness
Stinging
It made my skin even more oily
My doctor prescribed Retin A Micro for night and Neo Benz Micro during the day. I don't know if it was using both of them at once but it made my skin even more oily. In the mornings my skin was extremely shiny, like I rubbed olive oil on it...
In the beginning it made my lips extremelly dry, my skin was peeling like a bad sunburn (the doctor told me to use a sunscreen as well) it was burning and stinging after I applied it. Three weeks later the burning, stinging and itching calmed but I didn't see major improvement on my acne.
Also, I had more blackheads and whiteheads on my face but I was told that's normal since its bringing everything to the surface to be washed away.
I'm using Apple Cider Vinegar and it seems to be working better than this.
I still have two packs of Retin A left...when my skin gets better I will try using it for my acne scars.
Didn't work well for me, but I only used it for a little over a month.
Pros:
Works well! Initial 2 weeks can be rough. Its a good idea to start with a antibiotic also to ease the breakout.