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

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May 26, 2009

Pros:

Works after long-term usage.

Cons:

DRY SKIN!!!

If you are patient enough to wait it out and go through the worst and make it in the end looking gorgeous then you should use it. The first few weeks it is absolute hell. It dries out your skin horribly. But it is all worth it in the end!
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May 24, 2009

Pros:

regular is great micro sucks and gives you oily skin

Cons:

just doesnt really do what it's meant to do

Make sure you get the right brand for you and the right percentage and the right vehicle (gel or cream). I started with Retin-A gel .01% and after a few months it was my best friend. Worked wonders. all i had was light scars then i ran out, and my dad or pharmacist gave me Retin-A micro cream .1%. a different brand (micro) different vehicle (cream) and a different percentage (.1%) It's terrible. Worse skin of my life now and super oily because it's a cream and so bottom line don't be fooled-micro doesnt mean its better and neither does a higher percentage. Personally, I can't wait to get my old medication back when I go home from boarding school for the summer.
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May 11, 2009

Pros:

eventually shows 'some' results

Cons:

takes a LONG time to start showng any sign of improvement
doesn't work for very long

took a long time to work, and then it only lasted for about a month and then my face was worse then what i started with
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May 10, 2009
I have had acne for ever and this was the second product i tried, it made my face very dry and red. I am often in the sun and it made me very prone to sun burn. I did not like it at all. I now use Duac and Differen they are okay product better than Retin-A but still not perfect. This medication was very expensive at my drugstore and was not worth the price
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May 6, 2009

Pros:

Starts working quickly to get rid of blackheads and other types of spots-have had no cystic or sore spots while using it. Also makes the skin appear really smooth.

Cons:

Skin seems to be much oilier and very itchy. Little whitehead pimples appear in place of previous type spots.

For the first few months I thought this product was the best thing ever. My skin was a little drier than usual and the 'purging' phase was not half as bad as people have made out (I had it for months before I actually used it because of this fear!). However after 7 months my skin is still itchy. The Retin A has done nothing for the oilyness. The little whitehead pimples still appear and I still seem to be getting blackheads. I don't understand why it's stopped working so well...I am now going to try Duac Gel in conjunction with Retin A.
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May 4, 2009

Pros:

reduces lines and pore size, even complextion, clearer skin.

Cons:

When you minimize the usage, and use it again out of the blue, it causes a shiny face and evokes breakouts. Less time in the sun. :(

I've been using Retin A Micro for close to two years now. I wrote a review when I first started using it on July 17th 2007. At first I hated it, but it takes time to purge your skin. I stuck to it. I did, however, eliminate the sulfer wash and Doryx after a few weeks. I felt like the Doryx pills caused body acne, which I did not have initially and the sulfer wash was irritable to my skin. I opted for cetaphil face wash instead. I lightly pat the retin A on my skin and in the morning I wash it off with the cetaphil again. I find that my complextion and fine lines are freshly evened away. I also treat my black heads with rubbing green tea bags on my face and I spot treat with Burts Bees Tea Tree oil blemish stick. Simplicity is key. I think the worst thing you can do is over treat your skin out of frustration. In my experience, all treatments cause a few months of break outs, if you can fight through those moments you'll be one step closer to finding out what works best for you.
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April 27, 2009

Pros:

Helps clear up moderate acne

Cons:

Makes me oilier than I have ever been in my life!!!
Still get a few, minor breakouts - initial breakout AWFUL
Haven't really noticed a change in skin texture

Eh....it's just ok in my book. I've been using this fro 4 months now. The initial breakout was awful (~3 months of use for me), but I was expecting it and stuck with it. I started noticing less pimples around the time of my cycle when I get the most cystic acne which was a huge plus. However, I don't see a change in getting rid of the brown and red spots that I have now due to that really nasty breakout. The other odd thing is.....everyone claims that this makes them so dry. Not me. I have never been oilier in my life. I am oil slick. I wear all matte make-up with a primer and I still am oily within minutes! I have tried to go down to using Retin-A every other night, but still the oiliness is just awful. I am struggling with continuing this product or not.
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April 5, 2009

Pros:

worked to a point....after 3 months

Cons:

terrible initial breakout after 3 weeks, another bad breakout after one month, another bad breakout at 6 weeks. takes FOREVER to work.

in the end it woulda made more sense to jus start on accutane and have 3 months down the drain but this did move my acne from moderately severe to mild moderate...after 3 months
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April 3, 2009

Pros:

i'm not having any cystic pimples, just small, whitehead-like things, scars have lightened

Cons:

BAD BREAKOUT. i got small zits every where on my face especially on my forehead which was the smoothest part of my face three weeks before i started this. SUPER OILY AND FLAKY SKIN.

i'm using 0.05% tretinoin right now and my dermatologist told me this is just normal and that i should just wait and everything will clear up. i trust her so i'm sticking with it for now.
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March 26, 2009

Pros:

during the first month nothing really changed. it's supposed to start working after about 8 weeks, currently in the 6-7th week so i hope it starts improving soon!

Cons:

burning, irritation, redness, little bumps, more breakouts, peeling
decreases confidence! :(

my skin looks worse that ever right now due to the redness and rawness of it. i don't really break out anymore but my skin is so sensitive and i'm on the verge of giving up but i'm trying to reduce usage to every other day and hopefully it works. going to see the derm in a week so we will see! hopefully things start to improve soon. get a good moisturizer and build up your confidence because it will for sure bring it down!
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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