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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November 9, 2007

Pros:

This did a lot to clear up my skin in the first 6 months or using it, it was easy to apply and only took a minute, I didn't need to use any other products at the time

Cons:

After the first 6 months, the effectiveness started to wear off

It worked really well at first, but declined in effectiveness after a while.. seems like a good temporary solution, but should not be looked at for a long-term solution.. though after I went off the retin-a, my face never got as bad as it was before I used it
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November 7, 2007

Pros:

I have been using this product for about 2 weeks, and I can tell a difference in my skin already!! I can't believe it. My husband is even impressed because other things that I have used, didn't work!

Cons:

Expensive without insurance, dries my skin out, but it is worth it with all the oil I have on my skin.

Try it. I love the gel, I hated the cream that I was precribed in my young days, but the gel is it. I really works. I have really bad acne, hormonal problems, and other female problems, and this stuff has boosted my confidence in myself. I love it. I will continue to pay for it with or without insurance.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Clears up blackheads (retinoids are basically the only thing that clears up blackheads, according to my derm.)

Cons:

Redness. Peeling - can't wear make up. Acne never really cleared up. Major sensitivity to sun - must wear tons of high SPF.

You *CANNOT* get your eyebrows waxed when you use a retinoid. Your skin will come off with the wax strip and scar!

I've used this over the years. All it's ever done is make me red and my skin never emerges from the, what I call, snake-skin phase - b/c you shed your skin like a snake! I will use this as a spot treatment on a specific spot if I have scarring from a particularly bad zit. I will also use it on my nose to curb blackheads (it really does help w/ blackheads). Even so, I only use it two nights a week. I will never go back to the days of using Retin-A all over my entire face every day. I also dab it around my eyes in a preemptive strike against wrinkles. Call me paranoid but who wants zits AND wrinkles?
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October 30, 2007

Pros:

none yet

Cons:

common for acne to worsen

iv been using it for about three months now and i havent really seen any results.on and off: once and a while my face will look good but then thats when i know that the next few weeks my face will look bad!ive stopped using it for a bout a week and my face looks alright i am now using panoxyl10% and same story
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

Clears pimples

Cons:

takes a long time and skin continously peels

I've been using this product for 2 moths now and so far its cleared mostly all the huge pimples on my forehead. So now my forehead is clear just has a lot of dark spots. For some reason my nose is starting to be worse then it has ever been. I dont use the product on my nose so im not sure what's that about. My cheeks have cleared up 50% or more just a few noticable pimples on my checks. There are stilll many of dark spots not making my change all that noticable. I can't believe i've been using this for 2 monthes and my skin is stil peeling. I dont get it It drys and peels all the time and for a few days it will be smooth n bam dry and peeling again. Then when I try to put lotion on it the skin moves around and it looks like my face is discolored or dirty and i dont like that. However it is healing my acne so I'll stick to it and go through the hard strives hopefully to get the best in the long run.
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October 5, 2007

Pros:

has reduced the appearance of past acne scars and dark spots, has evened out my complexion. If this treatment fails to treat my acne I will def keep using it to even out my complexion and treat dark spotds as it's working a wonder

Cons:

initial breakout and has made my skin sensitive and a little sore

I have mild acne predominantly on my chin and forehead. I'm on my fourth week and have so far experienced what many here have already described; peeling, dryness and latent pimples coming to the surface. Looking past these initial side-effects (time will tell if they will subside) I can see my skin 'improving', my pores are smaller and although my skin 'feels thin', old marks left from healed pimples have almost faded if not entirely dissapeared which is a fab because I have a tanned complexion and scarring is more visible with this skintype. In terms of the flakiness i'm just putting up with it becuase any kind (even mild) exfoliation is painful. Also I tend not to put moisurizer on because it just seems to mix in with the dry skin flakes and in my experience that just clogs up my pores causing breakouts. I'm skeptical it will work on my acne but it's fab on erasing dark spots
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September 24, 2007

Pros:

None yet.

Cons:

Breaking our worse, itchy skin, flaky skin, feels like a really bad sun burn

I've only been using it for 20 days but I'm only seeing things get worse. ANd the burning and peeling is terrible!
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September 23, 2007

Pros:

cheap with health insurance

Cons:

Red beard with giant underworld zits.

You never know what works for you until you try it. I also used it with cleocin. I still had bad acne and began to look like I had rosacia. I have tried Proactiv too (worked for a few years, then stopped). I am now trying Murad. It got some bad reviews here but my sister swears by it, so I will see. I guess you never know. Retin a got OK reviews from some people but made my acne real bad, large and red even after 6 months of use. I stopped it a few weeks ago and the redness is going away.
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September 19, 2007

Pros:

Does work after time

Cons:

Gets worse before it gets better

I had quite bad acne on my jawline and the anti-biotics I was taking were not helping so my doctor gave me retin-A and told me to wait 3 months to see results. Im glad he gave me this time scale or I would have given up because it makes your skin AWFUL at first. I would cry myself to sleep but didnt give up. Now after 4 months my skin is clearer and my scars are fading. Skin is still oily though.
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September 15, 2007

Pros:

took away all the small bumps that were waiting to turn into big pimples. did go through a lot of breakouts but now really clear

Cons:

didn't peel but left skin oily.

i need to still give it more time 50/50 is how i feel
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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