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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
March 17, 2009
Cons:
peeling like a snake, sometimes itchy, tighntness, skin is so thin, it hurts, one slight itch and i scratch, it becomes a cut
Ive been using this thing now going on 5 weeks, my skin is still peeling like a snake. Im just hoping its worht it. I had to change my cleanser and moisturizer, to help calm the peeling, i have to even use a serum. Its awful make up make its worse with all the peeling. I guess i have to wait and see
March 6, 2009
Pros:
it works!! it gets rid of your acne within a few months
Cons:
it takes a while, and you have to follow a set of rules that go along with the medication
i used this product for several months and saw absolutely no effects, in fact, my acne probably got a little bit worse; eventually, i saw my doctor and he had me use an antibiotic with the medication, which helped a little but did not completely heal it; then, i figured out the real key was to do the following things religiously:
1.) no desserts, i ate saltine crackers, bread, etc. all day, every day
2.) drink A TON of water, we have 7 classes per day, i drank a bottle a class, then like 3-4 glasses at home, in addition to the water i had during meals (NO SODAS, FRUIT DRINKS, etc!!!)
3.) make sure you change the detergent you are washing your pillows with so that it does not cause acne break-outs, if you are using bad detergent, it will work with the retin-A to make your acne much worse
4.) quit using cologne/perfume if you do these things this product WILL WORK!!! if not, you can expect prolonged acne
December 29, 2008
Pros:
Cheap, effective, and easy to use.
Cons:
Mild dry skin/redness.
This is a good product! I've only been using it for 2 weeks, every other day and it has completely cleared my acne. I have some scarring but it seems to be clearing much faster than normal. Before using Retin-A I was concerned about my acne getting worse before it got better. From my first application my skin felt softer and looked brighter. In all I have had around 5 spots in the past two weeks. Some have been big however they cleared within a matter of days. I am still using it every other day and think I will continue doing so. I should add that if you use too much it causes massive dryness and redness. If you used a small amount, the negative effects people mention are very minimal. I apply a thin streak of the cream directly from the tube to my face, across my cheeks and forehead, and then proceed to massage it over my whole face. I also took anti-inflammatory ibuprofen just after application - helps reduce redness and progression of acne into larger lesions.
November 9, 2008
Pros:
Skin was better for first two months
Cons:
After 2 months, my chin (mostly the side areas below my mouth) began breaking out really bad -- like way worse than it ever was before. I kept using Retin-A for a while, but these horrible little clusters of pimples just kept peeling and multiplying
I started going to every other day and then finally stopped using it a little over a week ago. The horrible little clusters are still there and multiplying though not peeling as bad as before. I am hoping to let the skin there fully heal before trying to start back again with the Retin_A Micro. I'm guessing that the skin just got irritated and started producing more oil, maybe. I'm trying to find someone else with this same problem to see if there is any hope of going back on the med. I am 29 and married and quite sick of this teenage acne bullsh*t my face keeps pulling.
October 6, 2008
Pros:
Skin is much much softer and brighter, sun damage is less, pimples go away quicker
Cons:
My face broke out with cystic type acne after 3 weeks, but those were pimples I could feel under my skin but had not come to the surface. Peeling around the zits hurt
I love this product. I read a lot of reviews before using it and knew my acne would get worse before it got better and I could feel big clogged pores under my skin that the medicine brought up to the surface. It was cystic type but only a couple on my chin, which is my biggest problem area anyway. I am approaching 5 weeks and my skin over all looks much brighter, and softer. Don't really need foundation but still using it while the pimples heal to hide some of the redness. I can't wait to see what my skin will look like after 12 weeks. I'm sticking it out since I think the worst part is over. It's also lightened a lot of the sun damage spots I had on my face. I'm really happy with the result so far. Try it, but know that you will go through some very tough weeks.
September 14, 2008
Pros:
I don't see anything good about my skin yet.
Cons:
I feel like my acne got worse and even have it in some places I've never had it, like my cheeks. My face is oily to begin with, and i feel like it made it oilier and irritated. My pores seem bigger too.
I guess I have to keep using it to see if it really works or not, and the instructions say that it may take up to 6-12 weeks. So basically, you have to be very patient because your skin will look gross for like 3 months. And I'm yet to find out if it's going to actually help or not.
July 6, 2008
Pros:
clearer skin, forehead completely clear, blackheads gone, smoother skin
Cons:
It takes a while to work, and like others have said, I too experienced a bad breakout in the beginning.
I've been using the cream plus an antibiotic for a little over 2 months. I still have a little bit of acne on my cheeks, but it is nothing like it was in the beginning. My overall skin tone looks better, and I rarely get new pimples. It has been the only thing I have tried that has caused improvement in my skin.
April 20, 2008
Pros:
Evens out skin tone, makes skin look youthful and radiant, seems to turn over pimples more quickly when they come up
Cons:
Makes skin sensitive, if skin is oily it becomes both dry/flaky and oily/shiny at the same time which is unpleasant, takes a long time and it's hard to tell if it's working due to waves of breakouts
I've been using it for seven weeks and initially saw an improvement, followed by the expected breakout. My skin has become even toned and radiant though it doesn't help the oily skin I have naturally and I do flake at the same time, which makes wearing makeup a disaster. Skin cleared up again however after the forth week it just keeps breaking out with each day huge blind pimples surfacing. I assume this is meant to happen though it is very disheartening in the morning to discover yet more pimples. I'm going to stick with it as instructed since I am allergic to oral medications and reviews here indicate for some people it can take months. Also have come of the bcp so irregular/regualting hormones may be hindering the process. Works much better than duac which just makes me breakout horribly.
October 11, 2011
Pros:
NONE
Cons:
WORST ACNE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE
I applaud those of you who can stick through the weeks of bad acne. I'm on week 4, and I'm discontinuing usage of my tretinoin .1% cream. My acne has NEVER been this bad in my entire 22 years. People say it takes up to 3 months, but how can I possibly have 3 months of bad acne??? It's incredibly embarassing that my teenage students have clearer skin than I do. I'm going back to the acne.org regimen. My acne wasn't even that bad before I started tretinoin. Bottom line: Use it if you can stand the worst acne of your life for at least 6 weeks.
May 1, 2010
Pros:
Just started, only on day 3 of use, i'm very hopeful that it will treat my blackheads and fine lines.
Cons:
Slight redness and peeling, not major, feels like a minor sunburn.
I know I have to stick with it to eventually see results, even with the slight redness I already feel like my skin has a healthier glow, excited to see my skin in 3 months!
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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:
- 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.
- Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
- Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
- 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.
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.
Pros:
smoothed out my skin