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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:
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August 28, 2010
Cons:
Dented scars! Yes, ur not imagining, I got them too! I don't have space below, so will share this here: please look into the blue light which has a thread on acne.org [www.acne.org/messageboard/here-415nm-Enlux-LED-t156864.html]; very surprising promising fast results by all who bought it after one person reported excellent results. He has his own home light which is the strong one supported by research & the cost is cheap rather than the expensv lower level ones at spa [I'm thinking of buying
I just submitted a review but didnt have space so I want to add this info--my husband used this tretenoin cream too [Acretin] & now I am connecting the dots & remember there was a time I was getting frustrated, telling him I am seeing new pitted scars & stretch mark-like scars appearing on his face every day! Not exagerating; he has worse acne than me & I'm always looking at his face & noticed scars popping up and once I was telling him about it and the next day I see a new one! Unlike me, he was using other prescriptions at the same time. And, the idea that this was happening from his creams did not even cross my mind, but i was puzzled b/c unlike me he duznt touch his face & never pops anything & doesnt use a facial cloth which could be scratching him yet there's these scars actively happening on his cheecks. Only thing I could think of then was that b/c his pimples have been on his face for so long [same exact ones] that they were eating away at his flesh. But that didn't explain the ones that look like a stretch mark, just the dented round ones. Now, given the fact that I've gotten scars from tretenoin [Acretain] I can see that that's what could have happened to him too. I don't understand what is happening here; they say this is supposed to help scars so how is it causing scars for some people. I do have thin skin; maybe people w/ thin skin are more likely to get this, or maybe it's something else! All I know is it's a big thing; I can put up w/ anything else to get nice skin [the peeling, redness, initial flare up], but these permanent looking dented scars & stretch marks is unacceptable. I wrote this b/c I dont want anyone to get permanent scars when many of us r trying to get rid of the temporary red acne spots. I will continue to do home remedies, like honey [it's antibacterial] & especially the yogurt which fades redness & brightens, gives dewy skin. And as much as can afford, will get blue light @ spa [had 2 which helped] & thinking of buying my
July 21, 2010
Pros:
My acne definitely has gotten better, I have had significant less systic acne. I still get some blackheads, but blackheads are better than systic acne.
Cons:
It will dry out your skin - I'd never had to use moisturizer before because my skin was so oily, but now I have to slather it on daily.
It is expensive - Although one prescription will last you a couple months, the initial price is expensive.
It is a good product to try, but I am using it with Azone and Minocycline - so I don't know if it would be as effective without these.
October 13, 2011
Pros:
Spots r going
Cons:
Red face,dry,peeling,sore,
It is a long process
April 1, 2010
Pros:
Easy to use
This helps control some acne but doesn't help for moderate to severe cases
April 26, 2011
Cons:
dried out my skin
didn't work for me
December 3, 2009
Pros:
got rid of a scar by burning the layer of flesh off
Cons:
severe peeling, burning, felt terrible and was afraid to go to school
I used this 3 times when i went to school I was peely and I couldn't use anything to help me and of course pimply too
October 28, 2009
Pros:
didnt use it long enough to find out
Cons:
Angelina Jolie LIP!!!
I was prescribed this by ny new Dermotologist. I waited till the weekend to take this & good thing I did. I did as the directions told me to do since I was supposed 2 take it every nite. & when I awoke the next morning my top lip was swallon.and its day 2 and it still looks the same. & to top my day off my doctor isnt in his office!
October 27, 2009
Pros:
None.
Cons:
Worsened breakouts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Painful!
Extreme dryness!
This stuff was horrible!! I dont have a lot of acne.. and it gave me TONS! I brokeout soo bad.. the worst I ever have!! It burned when I put it on.. felt like i was peeling off my skin.. seriously. I know there is a purging period... but i gave it over a month and my self esteem couldnt handle it anymore. I couldnt even wear makeup properly because my skin was soo dry... I still have scars from it.
October 12, 2011
Pros:
None
Cons:
Dried out my skin really bad
Feels too tight and dry, also sticky
I used it couple of weeks twice in my life and so far I hated it. It dried my skin very bad and gave me more breakouts. I will not use it again.
March 3, 2011
Pros:
improves skin texture / tone
rapidly exfoliates skin for new cell growth
a little goes a LONG way
clears skin after a period of time ( no product is immediate)
Cons:
sun sensitive
dries face (buy a good moisturizer i recommend Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 and Aveeno's Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer)
I have been using Retin A since November of 2010, and my acne has subsided durastically. I apply the topical ointment to my entire face ( about a pea sized amount on my forehead, each cheek, nose, and chin) at night after washing my face with a light cleanser ( I use Cetaphil). It takes roughly 2 weeks to see improvement - but after a month I saw a tremendous turn over in my skin's appearance. Four months later my skin is radiant, clear, and even my dermatologist (who i see bi monthly to monthly) has commented on the drastic change this has brought to my skin. It's the only alternative to Accutane I would recommend - I suffered from moderate/sever acne and I now have very light acne problems (which I get injected with cortisone.) I pay $5 with BCBS of Illinois Insurance.
Pros:
Smoother looking skin. Dries pimples and brings them & tiny bumps to surface right away.