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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3.4
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5
21.8%
4
32.3%
3
21.6%
2
14.8%
1
9.4%

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December 17, 2007

Pros:

clears up the skin inside-out. the initial breakout scars are getting lighter every day. Even the pitted scars have evened out.for ppl who say it does not work, u r not using it right..analyse ur skin in 6-week cycles.ur skin needs 3 six-week cycles

Cons:

initial breakout is scary..went into a serious depression...u really have to be brave to try this treatment..1st 6 weeks will be worst. i noticed improvement only by 7th week..

thanks Dan for starting this forum coz i wud have definitely discontinued using this product had i not read encouraging reviews from the rest of the people. it works...slowly but surely..it ok to give a break for 1 or 2 days if side effects are bad. worst still, pimples resulting from retin-A were huge, red, and with pus. It was painful and scary to look in the mirror. Its very important to be gentle with ur skin wen u use this product. do not rub, scrub, or exfoliate wen u r still breaking out. i use cetaphil gentle cleanser and wait for 30 mins before applying retin-A .025% cream. I have upped it to .05% cream after 8 weeks...i also use cetaphil moisturiser everyday because my skin starting feeling very dry. I also use fresh aloe from the plant before applying the mosituriser because the acne scars heal faster. I also meditated because it helps heal internally..try practising 'pranayam'(google "divyayoga")..its ben 9 weeks n i have not a single zit..only some marks and blackheads
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December 16, 2007

Pros:

New layer of skin formed everyday from flakiness

Cons:

Too many to list a few are, doesnt help acne, makes skin extremely sensitive to light, drys skin, flaky, red, and more pimples

Didnt work for me, i hope it will work for you!
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September 24, 2007

Pros:

None yet.

Cons:

Breaking our worse, itchy skin, flaky skin, feels like a really bad sun burn

I've only been using it for 20 days but I'm only seeing things get worse. ANd the burning and peeling is terrible!
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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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November 24, 2006
plz don t try RETISOL-A it s the f**kin' worse product i ve used i started use it about 3 months ago and i notice that my face going worse and red sopt come up and dryness really don t use it
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August 3, 2013
Tretinoin .025 Gel: 1 Week Review

Pros:

Not sure yet....we'll see if it clears me up!

Cons:

Dries out skin
Makes skin SUPER sensitive
Get ready to switch your cleansers/moisturizers to super sensitive brands!

I've been using Tretinoin .025 Gel for about a week now. I apply it every other night for my little pink/skin colored bumps on forehead/T-zone. So far, it's dried my skin out and made it pink :( my breakouts seem to have worsened a bit but nothing crazy. I have read that there is an initial breakout but since I have VERY mild acne to begin with I can deal! BE WARNED: this product makes your skin SUPER sensitive since it sloughs away layers of your face like crazy. I've had to stop using my PanOxyl Cream Wash, because although it normally works for me, the Tretinoin makes my skin far too sensitive for the PanOxyl. I've switched to Cetaphil wash, Hibiclens wash and CeraVe moisturizer.
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November 21, 2012

Pros:

long term help somewhat

Cons:

took a really really long time to do anything
smells somewhat weird
feels heavy on skin

Perhaps because I have the weakest version .025%, it didn't do much for me. at all.
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December 22, 2011

Pros:

none

Cons:

-does not clear up acne
-youll get huge undergrounders
-makes face EXTREMELY red and shiny
-redness stays even after you stop using it

I used this for around 6 months and it made it worse and shiny and red and did not help at all!!
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February 24, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of black heads, really deep stubborn ones that i thought would never go away, these blackheads weren't pop able either!

Cons:

I used this product to get rid of or lighten my hyper pigmentation(Brown and red marks left from acne and sun damaged skin)

It works for black heads, its amazing at that.. that's all though.
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November 10, 2009

Pros:

IB was more than I could stand. Stop using it after 6-8 wks. I was so depressed and felt ugly.

Cons:

My skin didn't peel or flake or turn red. :) I'm a black female so maybe that had something to do with it... I'm not sure why it didn't peel or flake...

A few years ago I went to a derm for mild hyper. and very light acne. Big MISTAKE. Her PA put me on RA and a skin care regimn but gave me no real instructions except a handout how to use. I should have known better when she didn't really examine my skin. I was excited. Needless to say, I left with $500 worth of product and visions of clear beautiful skin. That never happened. After reading the site, I think I should have started using it slow instead of everyday. My skin is slightly sensitive. I locked myself in the house for months. When I went home for Christmas, I had to endure countless questions about my skin from my family. Even in the gym people tried to give me advice on what to use. LOL My skin was ugly with several huge cystic acne and black marks. That was two years ago. I'm still consistently battling b/o's. Although they are not as severe. I have an appt with a new derm this wkend. So I'm going to try it again. Thanks for the post.
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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