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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5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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January 12, 2007

Pros:

my skin cleared up in under a week!!!!!!!!!!

Cons:

dries skin out and when you put mosturizer on to make the flakiness go away it burns.

it works sooooooooooooooooooo good, especially if you only have mild acne because it wont make you intially break out very bad
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January 7, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

made acne WORSE, alot worse. HDried out the skin severely. Must wait half hour before applying. WORSE BREAKOUTS EVER, maybe a hgier dosage would work better. I was on .025%. I will get back on this.

Used this for 4 moonths hoping everyday my skin will clear up a little more. IT doesn't and it didn't work. I went back to the dermotologist and she prescribed me minocin pills with a higher opercentage on retina at .05%. I will keep you guys updated on the progress
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January 1, 2007

Pros:

I love it! It cleared up my skin in just 4 weeks and all my zits are gone

Cons:

Smells funny and it stings if you have open blemishes

Use it-it works Just give it time
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December 30, 2006

Pros:

helps to stop ur skin from breaking out

Cons:

u will continue to get some breakouts, but much less than before retin-a...make ur skin flaky, but just use a mositizrer like aloe vera or get one from ur dermatologist

it really isnt that great didnt really help with the acne marks left from old acne
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December 30, 2006

Pros:

None that I can think of.

Cons:

Makes your skin look worse than if you weren't using anything at all. Will most likely take forever to see results. Dries out your skin and makes it itchy, red, and irritated. Will cause you to break out like crazy.

Does not work people! If your derm wants to give you this stuff, protest and say you want something else.
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December 28, 2006

Pros:

Decrease in pimples, less oily

Cons:

Drys out skins horribly and makes it flake off. Works slowly and is pretty expernsive if you dont have insurance.

I've been using this for about 4 months with Doxycycline. The first 2 months were awful on this mediation. It made me breakout worse than ever before and my skin was flakey and gross. After the first 2 months, I started seeing results with a lot less pimples. I hardly have ay pimles any more but my skin is really blotchy still. It also makes my face burn when I excersize. My advice if you are just starting this medication is to start with a dose every other day and work your way up to using it every day. Be patient too, beause your skin WILL gte a lot worse before it gets better.
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December 27, 2006

Pros:

Clears up skin after many weeks

Cons:

too may side effects, skin becomes irritated, red spots, skin flaks off wich is imbarrasing if your in school or at work, takes too much time.

I started with retin a micro and minocline 8 weeks ago... i see very little results but there getting there ...it has many ups and downs and there was no steady improvment at all...just when it appeared to be getting better, it turned just as worse as the first week...my best advice it to follow the directions exsacly how they are written or your doctor recommends...i have tried proactive, differine, and accutane, but what i have had best results with has been bezamycine....that stuff doesnt solve the problem but it controls it
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December 27, 2006

Pros:

Works great on acne and oily skin, bonus helps speed up production of newer skin and reduces the look of scars and sun damage

Cons:

some redness, peeling and itching is to be expected, my skin also got more oily because this product expels oil from within the pores and does not allow for it to settle there and solidify into blackheads/whiteheads which clog pores and cause pimples

this is a long term treatment, don't expect miracles overnight, use sparingly and if your skin gets too red and sensitive try skipping a day, wash with a mild cleanser, to save money I buy J&J Baby Wash, 444ml for approx $5.99, it does not contain irritants, dyes or perfumes. I've been using retin A for over a year now, it has flushed all impurities out of my pores, this product is excellent for people with very oily skin but I would not recommend it to those who have acne lesions or cystic acne simply because it would irriate the condition and make it worse, in which case, one should see their doctor first. Now that my blackheads have cleared up, I have switched to a benzoyl peroxide product to keep my skin in check, furthermore, regardless whether or not you are using medications, STAY OUT OF THE SUN OR USE A SUNBLOCK OVER 40SPF !!! Your skin will thank you for life :)
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December 23, 2006

Pros:

prevents new acne from forming by clearing your pores and making dead skin cells to leave faster. it didnt give me an initial breakout thankfully. it just kept my skin clear

Cons:

for people who have more moderate to severe acne it will create an initial breakout. for people with mild acne the initial breakout will barely be noticable, if there is one. may burn your skin some, may make it red and stuff. might give you sun burn

GET YOUR FACE COMPLETELY CLEAR BEFORE YOU USE THIS. if your face is crystal clear, then you dont have to worry about the initial breakout, because there is nothing under the skin to come to the surface! as a result your skin will stay clear because retin-a clears your pores and keeps them clear. if you have deep pimples that you want to get rid of, USE RETIN A, retin a will bring the deep pimples to the surface so you can get rid of them faster, it is a good product trust me
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December 22, 2006

Pros:

No known pros.

Cons:

Made acne worse. Burning feeling. Peely.

Only made acne more irratated. Face felt like it was on fire and hurt. Dries out skin, but moisturizing made it worse. catch 22. The tube has about a 3 month supply. Never put on right after washing. You must wait 20-30 mins to apply. Even if its 3 am and you're about to fall asleep. you will get increased side effects if you put retin a micro on after washing your face.
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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