Tretinoin

I've been using Retin A for over a year now and I absolutely love it. I started breaking out last winter terribly and tried benzoyl peroxide and other prescribed medication but the only one that actually works in Retin A. It took awhile to actually work and I was worried at first but in the end it's well work it!

This Was Helpful

22 user(s) found this helpful

Report

almost_accutane

February 8, 2011

Pros:

+ The stuff's amazing. I barely break out any more, and get very few, if any, cysts.

Cons:

- It made me flake, though not in a big way. This isn't a huge con... in fact, it's sort of a sign that the Retin-A is doing its job. That said, if you get too dry, move to a lower concentration or buffer with a moisturizer.
- It took a long while to work. Stick with it. Look at these reviews. A majority of the people who have used Retin-A for an extended period of time report favorable results. The disappointed ones seem to be the impatient ones. Coincidence?

I use really strong Retin-A gel (0.1%), and it is the only topical that has had a considerable effect on my skin. My skin, in addition to being clear, is soft to the touch! The doctor initial gave me a low concentration cream. Wrong wrong wrong! The cream version makes me break out terribly. I eventually found that only gel did the trick, and only the 0.1% concentration worked on my uber-oily skin. ***However, I should note that the cream worked really nicely on my chest, where I had some really nasty hyper-pigmentation from previous cysts (and also some active cysts). The get proved to be too harsh for this area. Give this a try for a few months. If you really need to speed up the process, try an antibiotic at the same time (I'm on minocycline).

This Was Helpful

15 user(s) found this helpful

Report

michelle

February 7, 2011

Pros:

~Smooth skin
~Only use once a day
~Got rid of acne
~Soft skin

Cons:

~Took a while to work
~Initial breakout was horrible
~Expensive, even with insurance

I started using Tretinoin about 10 weeks ago, after trying absolutely everything- over the counter products [Proactive, Acne Free, the Clean and Clear system], as well as prescriptions [Differin, Benzaclin, and orthotricycline]. Nothing worked. I would check this site obsessively during the first few weeks to see other people's progress and hope that I would someday see a change. I was told to hang in there, because my face would get worse before it got better-and this was no exception in my case. My initial breakout was horrible-my face got so red and dry that it was painful to touch it, or even put lotion on. I didn't think that my acne could get worse, but this medication proved me wrong-I had it ALL over my cheeks, forehead, and jaw line. I figured that I would just continue using it for 12 weeks, and if nothing happened, I would take myself off of it. I've finally hit the stage where the results are amazing. I still have one or two bumps, but I haven't seen my face this clear since I was about 13-and I'm now almost 23. You need to use this product consistently and for multiple weeks [I know it seems like forever, but you will see results, and they are way worth it, believe me.] I'd definitely recommend this product. Good luck!

This Was Helpful

39 user(s) found this helpful

Report

marcel

February 6, 2011

Pros:

completley cleared my horrible blackheads and whiteheads that i struggled with for the past eight years....no more cysts either and my face hasnt looked this good since i was a freshman in high school

Cons:

took three months to work
initial breakout was bad but only lasted a week
leaves red marks that take a while to heal
took three months to see results but they happened kinda overnight
made the pores on my nose bigger

great product but u have to be patient and consistent

This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Nick

January 19, 2011

Pros:

- It works (unlike everything else I tried).
-You only need to apply it at night before bed.
- I found it to be not as irritating as benzoyl peroxide (which didn't work for me).
-You only need a small (pea-sized) amount

Cons:

-I think it needs to be combined with an antibiotic, either oral or topical, to be effective.
-Can irritate the skin if you apply too much.
-It took me months of consistent use for me to see results, I only became completely clear when I started taking minocycline.
-Initial breakout is not great, but don't give up!

It works but only if used with an antibiotic. I tried taking antibiotics alone before I was using tretinoin and they did nothing, but I found using tretinoin 0.05% cream at night and taking minocyline in the morning to be really effective. I also wash my face morning and night with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. Minocycline, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and 0.05% tretinoin - Please try this combination, I can't recommend it enough. Good Luck!

This Was Helpful

10 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Ava Young29

January 16, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne
Gets rid of acne scars

Cons:

Takes a while to start working
Dries out skin

I started using Tretinoin a few months ago, my acne was at a pretty normal amount but I was so sick of it (I tried pretty much every drug store product I could get my hands on) I decided it was time for a prescription product. So far Tretinoin has worked great for me, I did not have a bad initial breakout at all, my acne level stayed the same for the first few weeks.The only thing that I don't like about it now is that it dries out my skin very much and makes it very sensitive. Tips: Only apply a PEA SIZE or it will make your skin worse. Use a gentle face wash (I use cetaphil and highly recomend it)

This Was Helpful

20 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Clutchhh09

January 15, 2011

Pros:

Clear Skin
Scars are disappearing
Confidence
Keeps my face dry (Usually very oily)

Cons:

Initial Breakout
Minor Sensetivity

I am still celebrating the fact the I have found something that actually works and stays working. I've tried almost everything and I ended up having to go to UofM Dermatology to try prescription since Proactive and Clean and Clear aren't consistent. I was prescribed Benzoyl Peroxide, Minocycline and TRETINOIN. I can not explain the frustration and anger I had the first three weeks. I wanted to throw this stuff all in the trash. I had a really bad initial breakout. I ended up logging on to www.acne.org. What do you know? Most people are experiencing the same issues with these prescriptions. BUT when I started to come across some of the positive reviews about these prescriptions I noticed a pattern. They all had the same initial breakout but then finally after a month or two the cleared up. That was all I needed to continue Tretinoin and Benzoyl Peroxide use. About two weeks later and I feel like my face is clearer than a baby's. My face is now smooth, the scars are less noticable and I've had no pimples for a week now. I feel like a new man. Acne can really affect someone's self-esteem and confidence. It sure did effect mine. The results are so unbelievable that I had to take time to come back and register so I can share my experience. No one has to live with acne. If you really wanna be clear then just give it a try. You just have to be strong during your initial breakout because your skin will breakout more than ever. Anyway I know some of you visit this site for help on acne. Theres no need to read another review. Go to your dermatologist and ask for Trenitoin and Benzoyl Peroxide. It will change your bumpy life.

This Was Helpful

69 user(s) found this helpful

Report

angela719

January 15, 2011

Pros:

CLEARS ACNE
LIGHTENS SCARS

Cons:

Initial Breakout =(

I was so depressed about a year ago with my acne, it was horrible! I would cancel plans with friends because i just didnt feel like going out. I've been on Tretinoin(.025%) for roughly 7 months and my skin is seriously AMAZING!! Smooth and I get a occasional pimple, but who doesnt? I don't get deep ones, i actually have NO pimples right now which is something i couldn't say 7 months ago. Stick through the initial break out, put it on every night. Also, start with a low concentration, irritation doesn't mean it's improving any better. There was a research that actually said that the .1% vs. .025% had the same results just varied in irritation. I love my skin now =)

This Was Helpful

59 user(s) found this helpful

Report

citygirlsf

January 14, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne
Evens out skin-tone
Soften wrinkles

Cons:

Peeling and breakouts first few weeks

My dermatologist prescribed 0.1 Retin A cream and told me to use it every third night until my face adjusted to it. After a month or so I started using it every other night. I still only apply it every other night. I've been on it for two years and the only time I break out is when I'm dumb enough to stop using it regularly. I initially had very dry skin around my mouth & nose for the first couple of weeks & my skin broke out for the first month. I not only broke out with red angry pimples but I also had a great deal of blackheads. The blackheads are from all the dead skin. My dermatologist told me I would breakout & that it would take at least a couple of months before my skin cleared up so I was mentally prepared. For me the peeling was worse than the breakouts because you can't cover up dry, peeling skin with makeup. The purging/peeling phase is rough but so worth it to not have a lifetime of breakouts. You don't need another acne products, in fact using other products will just irritate the skin. I was advised to buy a pack of wash clothes so that I could use a fresh cloth to wash/exfoliate my face twice a day. I find that drinking lots of water & getting plenty of sleep also helps. Make sure to wait 30 minutes after washing your face before apply the Retin A & only use a pea-size amount of cream. It is also important to adjust your moisturizer as well as the frequency of the Retin A cream application with the changing of the seasons. I have to use a rich face cream & apply the Retin A cream on every third night during the winter months or else I dry out. As my Derm says "listen to your skin." Using this has changed my skin. Not only did it clear my cystic acne but it also got rid of the lines around my mouth & on my forehead. People think I've gotten Botox

This Was Helpful

42 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Tiffany

January 14, 2011

Pros:

Clears up acne
Strengthens skin
reduces pore size
softens lines
A LOT of other benefits

Cons:

Initial peeling, redness and breakouts
-Use a moisturizing oil to help (Clarins' Santal Oil helps A LOT)

I have been using this for over a year. I used to have frequent breakouts and heavy congestion in my skin, with acne bumps under my skin on my forehead (like little closed clogged pores really) as well as black heads. I started with .025% for the first month 2-3 a weeks. The redness and A LOT of peeling (like my face was chapped) started at the end of week 2. Then on week 3 I broke out like crazy people at my job kept telling me to stop using it b/c I couldn't even cover up anything with makeup and they were worried that I was damaging my skin. TOTALLY the opposite! After about a another 2-3 of redness and peeling, it slowly started healing, then the redness went away. And VOILA baby smooth soft skin and NO MORE CYSTIC ACNE! or really much of any acne, plus my blackheads we're extractable (TMI I'm sure). I have tried to stray from my HG regime and have always come back to this :) I am now using .05% routinely now. #1 STICK WITH IT #2 Wait 20 mins after cleansing before you apply #3 SUNSCREEN ppl #4 Moisturizing oil (Clarins' Santal Oil is my fav) for your 'off nights' (fot the nights you aren't using the treatment, it helps marvelously!) I liked this 100x more than any lotion or cream, b/c your face will be SUPER sensitive, and a lot of thigs (even water sometimes) will burn!

This Was Helpful

18 user(s) found this helpful

Report

1 … 14 15 16 17 18 … 35

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Prescription acne medications

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Finding a Doctor

Finding a Doctor

Be sure to:

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

Red flags:

New Report

Close