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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August 1, 2008

Pros:

Acne and fine line reduction

Cons:

Irritation and redness

Its been a few months since I have started using Retin-a and I probably did everything wrong, so here is some advice. DO NOT use more than a PEA sized amount. During the first three days of use expect to see and feel very little, which may tempt you to use more but please DONT. By day 4 it will be very evident that the product is working. WAIT at least 30 min to an HOUR after showering or washing your face to put this product on. Warm moist skin is extremely absorbant and this only serves to make it worse. Use every two days to every other day to start with. And DONT pick at your face, especially the peeling skin. It drove me crazy and I picked until my I had bloody spots. In this case, I made it worse not the product. In a nut shell treat you skin gingerly, stick with it and you will be rewarded. Moreover, younger guys and gals starting the Retin-a regime early in life will have far better skin than their non retin-a using peers. OH and use SUNSCREEN spf 30+ PLEASE
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July 27, 2008

Pros:

1. The medicine did clear up my acne somewhat...
2. Free from doctor.
3. Most of the actual "pimples" are gone.

Cons:

1. Took over 4 weeks to start working.
2. Will not get better than where i am now after 7 weeks of use.
3. Burnt skin for first few weeks, severe drying.

It does work fairly decent. Will take 3-4 works to start working. This medication will most likely not restore your face to spotless. Burns and peeling skin. I don't think its the best medication.
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July 26, 2008

Pros:

cleared up all yellow heads and blackheads
free from doctor

Cons:

takes time to work
burnt like i was on fire
got worse for like 7 days

right i am on my 10 day and i have already seen slight improvment, im even gettin compliments, i had moderate acne with a few white heads, i now have no white heads because they go in the morning with this stuff. i use 0.01% retin-a gel morning and night but i wash with simple moisturizing face wash before. i also take 4 500mg erythromycin a day, 2 in the mornin and to at night. im not sure how long it will take until i have flawlass skin, my doctor says 6-8 weeks, is this normal time ?? can be really expensive if you dont get it free of the doctor!! it would be great if you could help...ALL THE HELP I GET IS BETTER THAN NONE AT ALL. good luck to all acne sufferes!!!
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July 11, 2008

Pros:

Dramatic improvement with continued and consistent use; soft skin; reduces shallow scars and wrinkles

Cons:

Flaking, redness, irritation if used improperly

This product TAKES TIME to work. Your acne will clear, but you will not notice any major improvement for at least 6 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions! Apply the solution sparingly. Apply for a short time every other night to start, then increase duration and frequency of application--this will help you avoid redness and irritation. I have increased the strength of the preparation I am using and I find it very easy to tolerate now that my skin has grown accustomed to the regular strength. I have tried both the gel and cream preparations. I prefer the cream because it is less messy and it stays on my skin longer. The gel can be more cooling and drying for people with very oily skin. Bottom line: be patient! Your acne is being resolved from beneath your skin.
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June 28, 2008

Pros:

My breakout has stopped by now, after using tretinoin gel and then retin-a for a combined five months.

Cons:

Scars remain, crazy breakouts, skin peeled like crazy until I started using Oil of Olay Moisturizer and Facial cleanser and switched to Retin A Micro from tretinoin gel

My GP recommended this product, but I'm not sure it was the best thing for me. Acne has not been a problem for me during high school, but I began to break out in the middle of my senior year. Some of the acne seemed deep, perhaps cystic, and was located solely on my lower right cheek. I feel that my case may not have been severe enough for this product because it "purged" my skin by making it break out like crazy. I'm talking about perhaps 100 pimples over the first months. Now, my acne is gone and my skin feels smooth, but I am left with somewhat extensive scars (I picked at the acne initially,however).
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June 20, 2008

Pros:

Clears skin, reduces the frequency of flare ups

Cons:

Initially causes redness/dryness, takes a while to work, "gets worse before it gets better", expensive (without insurance)

I have been using this product for nearly a year with the combined use of Septra DS (6 months). At first it made my skin much worse, but after being consistent I have seen a marked improvement the past few months. Other than red spots from old acne my skin is clear.
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June 16, 2008

Pros:

It dries out the pimples so they seem to go away faster

Cons:

It does in deed make the acne worse. I've been using this for 2 months now, this is the 3rd month, and I have yet to see improvement.

Although it makes the acne worse, I think what its doing is peeling away the skin so that the hidden acne underneath will be treated. I'm sticking to this product basically because I know someone who has used it for a few years and she has gone from having acne to having beautiful, perfect and clear skin. It does cost quite a lot of money and it does make your skin peel and become dry. Although, I think the peeling and dryness can be dealt with with a decent oil free moisturiser and cleanser for oily skin like those made by Cetaphil.
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May 30, 2008

Pros:

helps blackheads and whiteheads, seems to help pimples dry up faster, supposedly great to use long-term, my derm loves it for non-inflamed acne

Cons:

won't work on its own if you have acne that is inflamed; usually causes an initial breakout; takes at least 12 weeks to see results

The first time I used Retin-A was a disaster. I used it for 9 weeks and in that time my skin went from bad to worse. I had huge red spots all over my face that looked like welts or hives. In a panic I saw a derm (my GP had given me Retin-A), and she said Retin-A alone only made inflamed acne worse, and is made for non-inflamed acne. For the inflamation she prescribed azelaic acid to be used twice daily, and had me stop Retin-A for 6 weeks. Now I use azelaic acid morning and night and Retin-A at night, waiting at least an hour before applying Retin-A. The inflamation has really improved, but I've been using Retin-A again for 4 weeks now and have experienced a bit of an initial breakout again. Mostly I wanted to post on here to warn users not to use this alone for inflamed acne. My derm says she loves it and it will be great in the long run, but that I need something for inflamation too. Also, I used way too much at first-- a tiny pea size really is enough! Any more will irritate skin!
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May 21, 2008

Pros:

dries up acne quickly and make them peel off quicker than it would take normally.

Cons:

makes my skin dry and itchy all the times, my skin is always flakey and red, I can't really wear foundation or makeup.

It doesn't help with all of my acnes, probably reduce my acnes to about less than 50% than what it use to be before, but it's alot to pay for the other side effect, which didn't go away even after 4 months of usage. I'm going stop using this as soon as I start on another method, but I'll still use it in the meantime to reduce the acnes.
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May 12, 2008

Pros:

It seems to be sucking the impurities from down the shells of my skin and throwing it out to the surface

Cons:

Right now my face looks like a pizza:oily and red. I got big bumps some with pus, dried skin, blisters that don't heal, dry nose and lips. Skin doesn't exfoliate (crust on and around the pimple area)

I am sticking to it! It's my 7th week and my acne is 10x worst than before I started but I am sticking to it but at least another 2more months. I am also taking Adoxa, yaz, and drinking apple cider vinegar. I use retin-a micro gel .04 at night and clyndamycin during the day. Some days I skip it because of extremely dryness. Sometimes I use a salycilic wash(pardon my spelling) and some days a mild wash. I pick on the dry skin at times. Guilty as charged. I will come back to post in another 6 weeks.
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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