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
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July 30, 2009

Pros:

clears your skin

Cons:

dries your skin

the first 3 months were horrible.. i was getting discouraged but i kept using it and after 4 months, my skin looked amazing! i have NO acne at all and my skin is very soft. at the beginning of the treatment, do NOT pop your pimples i did and now i have scars all over my face
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July 27, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin in weeks. Diminishes blackheads and whiteheads.

Cons:

Acne comes back if stop use, became resistent to it. Bad breakouts after sometime

I am on this and my acne has been clearning very well, but acne can come back fast. Try it, nothing to lose except acne.
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July 25, 2009

Pros:

improves blackheads and pores

Cons:

takes long time to clear up spots, makes skin very oily

only been on it for 10 days.makes skin really oily. had some more breakouts. exisiting ones taking ages to clear up.best to apply sparingly or at night. some peeling but will be more if used too frequently and liberally.see how it goes in two more months.no effect on hyperpigmentation yet or skin texture i.e. roughness.
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July 13, 2009

Pros:

Helps clear up acne scars, whiteheads and blackheads

Cons:

Guaranteed redness and peeling skin-even for days after you stop using it.

Iam using the .05% cream. It hasnt cleared up any of my cystic acne like I was told it would. It does however clear up those tiny annoying pimples under the skin, blackheads and whiteheads. It does cause skin peeling constantly.
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July 12, 2009

Pros:

it really starting to clear up my skin really quick, cheap, simple

Cons:

-i am african american so it makes skin look patchy as the new skin is coming in.
-gets worse before it gets better and makes skin oily and itchy

Im on my 4th week and im looking a lot better i only have like 2 zits and most of my acne scars are gone and my doctor said that if i give it 2 more weeks i should be totally cleared!!! If your thinking about using this product dont wait do it now so you get the first couple of weeks out the way because they are hell, but after that it will slowly but surely get better. And last thing dont use more than the once before bed because I got stupid and thought it would clear it up faster and it makes your skin worse...
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July 6, 2009

Pros:

-Clears up acne, reduces scars, makes skin smooth and soft due to fast cell turnover
-One tube lasts a long time (approx 3.5-4 months)
-You will see a quick initial improvement in the first week

Cons:

-Takes patience to see full results (8-12 weeks until noticeable improvement)
-Acne worsening period sucks around weeks 3-7 so be prepared.
-Extremely dry/flaky skin for the first month or so until body adjusts to product.

First of all if you have only been using this product for a few weeks and write a bad review- you are really missing out. Okay so it's a slow climb to improvement, but trust me STICK WITH THIS PRODUCT. It is supposed to worsen before it gets better (it even says it on the package) because it is a high cell turnover from Vitamin A- this brings all the bacteria to the surface of your skin. It is all worth it around weeks 8-12. My skin is acne free for once in my life. It is brighter and smoother and I don't have to be self conscious anymore. You only need a little dab every night. Your skin will dry out initially so be ready to pair it with a moisturizer and try not to wear makeup during that time (it will be pretty impossible to anyways). I have tried it all from proactiv to birth control etc. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. It really has helped me get my confidence and great skin back. I don't even need to wear makeup!
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June 26, 2009

Pros:

lightens complexion, clears up acne slowly, slowly but surely gets rid of acne scars, smothens complexion

Cons:

causes irritation and skin flaking

it really works well after REGULAR use, but the key is to continue using it.
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June 25, 2009

Pros:

inexpensive, effective

Cons:

dry skin, abrasive at first

Very effective after long use. I've been using Retin-A .025 for approximately 4 weeks now- the first 2-3 weeks were rough times, my face was terribly sore, irritated, very flaky.. However it has made such a difference now! Please stick with it, it will help!
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June 20, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne, left a glowing tone, even tone, and if acne ever came back it would leave immediately.

Cons:

Blotchy skin intially, spots, and peeling skin

I dont remember my intial experience with skin peeling and having another break out situation; but, when I stopped using it (after 3 months) and allowed my skin to heal for a week it looked wonderful. Im actually having a bad case of acne again (which is light to moderate) and I am going to try it again and let you know what happens.
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June 15, 2009

Pros:

has cleared up my acne and the frequency of my cyst like acne has decreased significantly and it's an easy product to use
not that expensive.

Cons:

flaking skin in the morning even with moisturizer and it takes forever to work

Surprisingly I didn't experience the redness or the itchiness but I've used this product for abiut 3.5 months now and started to see improvement my dark marks have been fading and even though I get pimples sometimes they heal faster and my skin is really smooth and my face is more 1 tone now BE PATIENT!!! I kno it's hard,but it does pay off eventually
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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