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
September 4, 2011
Cons:
Initial Breakout
Have to be careful about the sun.
Im 15.. And Ive tried so many things that didnt work on my acne.. this is my second dermatologist. He gave me Retin-A 0.0025% to use AT NIGHT, Clindamycin Gel 39GM to use in the morning, Dianne 35 pill to take to regulate my hormones (I have hormonal acne) and some 5000 IU Vitamin D Pills. He says the vitamin a and d will work together to help the scars. My face hasnt been getting red or feeling worse or anything yet but my face has always been pretty immune to that stuff when it comes to acne products.. I guess its cause I live in the bahamas where the sun is blazing on your skin all the time so my skin is pretty used to it.. I know that my face is going to get worse, but
Its gotten alot better so I know when it gets worse its ntohing I cant deal with... Ive dealt with it for years so I think I can deal for atleast 1 more month or so. Dont be scared to try it, If it drys your face use moisturizer with SPF in it, Its best just using it at night. Be smart!!! lol Ive used: Clearasil, Proactiv, MaxClarity, Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, St. Ives, some weird thing Clear somthing..... Facial Masks, Lemon Juice, Vitamin E and Honey, Doxycycline i think its spelled like that.. and one more thing he last dermatologist prescribed to me. NONE WORKED. But I feel as if this is going to work because my skin is already smoother (:
September 4, 2011
Pros:
Soaks up oil
Depletes/erases whiteheads
Tightens skin
Smooth!
Cons:
Takes a long time!
I've been using this with for atleast 3 years, along with another topical (duac, etc). This is the only topical, along with Aczone (my current regimen) that I actually like putting on! Both are sheer and don't smell like bleach or other blahh stenches!
But seriously, it's taken me a bit less than three years on this to find other products that accentuate it (currently Aczone, baking soda, Clean & Clear Oil-Free Facial Wash, and Doxycycline are doing the trick!) but of course, if you don't like being on an oral medication, I'd still recommend this because I swear it fights acne off- while you sleep, especially!
August 28, 2011
Pros:
Clears up the tiny bumps.
Clears up all other kinds of acne
No new bumps or lesions form.
Skin is smoother than before acne started.
Skin is healthier looking than ever.
Old lesions heal faster.
Cons:
Irritates your skin at times.
Took me 10 weeks for no new lesions to appear.
There is an initial breakout.
Basically, this product gives you 10 weeks of bad skin for near perfect skin forever after. I would recommend this product to anyone else. At many points during the initial 10 weeks I found myself worrying about whether the product would actually begin to clear up the acne at all. However, just a couple of days after 10 weeks I noticed that no new lesions were appearing. Not only this, my skin had a better overall complexion than before I stared retin-a micro gel .04%. If you are a current user who finds them self in the early weeks of usage, and are worrying about your initial breakout, my advice would just be to stick it through because it will be worth it before you know it. To those of you who are questioning whether or not to use this product, I would say use it. Just be aware that there is an initial breakout which means you will probably have more acne lesions than you ever have before.
August 23, 2011
Pros:
Leaves skin soft
More even skintone
Less bumps
Clears fast
Cons:
Takes a long time
Makes acne better, then worse
IB
EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO SUN
I have been on Retin A Micro .04% for about 5-6 weeks now. At first, I saw nothing but positive results, but now, things are getting a little worse (not as bad as when I started). I'm guessing this is just the initial break out, or the IB. I will say, the blemishes are small, but of course I'm going to notice them. Since reading all of these posts I'm just going to keep on going with the Retin A even though I feel like my skin is playing tricks on me while on it. So, if you're like me and are skeptical about this stuff, just wait it out. As for you sun worshipers (I'm guilty) WEAR SPF 30+! I can't stress it enough. I was at the pool one day and I had on SPF 15 thinking I'd be okay. That night I was VERY sun burned...to the point where I was nauseous and light headed...turned out, I had a horrible case of sun poisioning. My face had blistered and was completely raw for about a week. My skin had a layer of dead skin cells over it because of the burns. It was so painful. So please, listen to this...even if you tan easily (I do too I'm part Native American) wear sunscreen! Good luck, and remember, stick with it! :)
August 21, 2011
Pros:
-Cleared my stubborn, bad, hormonal acne!
Cons:
-Initial breakout
-Have to get it from a doctor
-Peeling/dryness
-Have to wear SPF on face daily (but you should do that anyway if you want your skin to look good in the long run)
Don't let the idea of the initial breakout scare you. Yes, I had one between 2 weeks up until about 10 weeks, but it wasn't THAT much worse than my acne was prior to the medicine. Around 10 weeks I turned a corner and BAM! Other than red marks, which will fade with time, my skin is looking smooth and lovely. Highly recommended, but only if you have the patience to tough it out through the IB.
August 15, 2011
Pros:
Clears skin
Evens out skin tone
Removes brown spots quickly
Cons:
Harsh initially
Skin has to adjust to treatment
Skin peels often
Takes time
This product works very well as long as you stick with it. It took a month before my skin began to adjust to the treatment and that month was just plain unpleasant. My face broke out and my skin was sensitive to the touch. I was on the verge of discontinuing the treatment, but i decided listen to my dermotologist and just tough it out. This period is very crucial to the improvement of your acne and it is the reason many people give up. If your using this product and really want to drop it because of these side effects please do not. Just stick with it, in time your skin will improve drastically. Stop using this only if your dermotologist advises you to. Otherwise keep using it, I have for about 5 months and my skin looks so much better, its not totally flawless like a Neutrogena model, but it has improved so much. I love this product it just takes time and motivation.
August 14, 2011
Pros:
Skin feels smoother
Gives it a nice glow
Helps the active pimples go away faster
Cons:
Skin gets used to it.
I started using Retin-A Micro prescribed by my dermatologist, saw results the first week, I applied it every night, and noticed my skin looked healthy, glowy & very soft. I breakout mostly on my cheeks not so much on my forehead and chin, when i do its those little skintone bumps that goes away with a gentle scrub.. but on my cheeks I get the annoying red ones that take forever to come to the surface, the Retin-A, helped bring those stubborn ones out then I used clindamycin in the morning.. the only thing with it is that I think our skin gets used to products & we stop seeing results; so I recommend that you use it one week straight, then change it to every other day, it should help
& good luck ;))
August 10, 2011
Pros:
Lighten up scars
No severe break outs
Acne is cleared up
Cons:
Initial break out
Irritates skin for a couple of weeks
Ive been on Retin- A for 4 months now and I WAS happy with my results. It made a great improvement to my skin. Scars weren't there. No more pimples. But now my acne is starting to come back.. i think im not immune to retin-a and it wont stop my breakouts, HELP and P.S recommend this item
August 8, 2011
Pros:
Clears Skin
Shrinks Pores
No Toxic Side Effects
Cons:
Hard to put a pea size amount all over face
Initial Breakout
Takes a bit of time to really see results
I was on Retin-A Micro a long time ago back in high school and it made me break out intensely until i got fed up and stopped using it and just used a benzoyl peroxide wash. I got clear and stayed clear for a sum amount of years but started breaking out again at 20 and kept at it. I ordered this product online and the first day putti ng it, no real results. Second day was the coolest thing (to me). My face looked "broken out" but what really happened was all of my acne had surfaced and whatever was arleady on my face was exfoliated into white heads, a cyst i had for a couple days even shrunk half its size! Anyways i washed my face and got redness and then just ignored it and in time i got more acne here and there but overall, once every clog in their is surfaced and ur sebacious glands shrink up, its clear skin for life :)
August 4, 2011
Pros:
Seemingly effective for my case (I also have psoriasis. I was once also developing discoid Lupus in which i was treated oral steroids which weakened my immune system thus causing moderately severe Acne.
Cons:
Initial Breakout is scary.
Never in my life have I had acne until recently(i'm 19). Acne does not run in my family. My Psoriasis(hyperactive immune system) fought effectively against everything. However, my eating habits of Human Growth Hormone amino acids caused my already strong immune system to start attacking itself. This is when I was then prescribed to take oral steroids to weaken my immune system. Then I became pizza face. My confidence dropped. I avoided going out. I avoided making eye contact when I did go out. Invisibility felt lonely, but at least it was less embarrassing. I was then put on a long term plan. I took only Solodyn for 4 months and skin was beautifully smooth. When I stopped the Solodyn, I then took Tretinoin. Within 5 days, hell broke loose again on my face. I had 50 white heads all over, black heads on my nose, and cysts here and there. I was terrified. WTH happened?! But I kept at it. Doctor said apply once every night...I did it 3-4 times a day. Too many white heads everywhere to just let sit and spread. I read abrasive washes are good for predominately whitehead acne(pores too tight for sebum/dead skin to escape). And the abrasive wash is good to open pores and clear flaking skin. First 8 days face felt scaly. Day 9 was first Peel. SKIN flaking EVERYWHERE and face red. Day 10(today) I notice recommendation to wait 30 mins after face wash to apply Tretinoin. So I do...face 60% better. Yes my skin is tight, miscolored, and hurts. But, it's smooth and I smile when I look at myself now. Note* Drink LOTS of water. The rapid cell turnover of Tretinoin tolls on the body's hydration system. Drinking water will give the new cells healthier membranes and healthier defense systems from infection. I hope this helps, goodluck.
Pros:
Cleared up some bumps
Made my skin a bit smoother
Seems like its going to work
Cheap (only 19 dollars for 10 refills, in the bahamas things are more expensive so this is a good price)