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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September 3, 2009

Pros:

Been using Retin-A for 10 yrs now and yes in the beginning it made my skin alot worse but after 3 weeks my skin was clear and has stayed that way since!! I absolutely love this stuff!!

Cons:

Took about 3 weeks before it started to work, it made me break out before it got better, and made me very sensitive to the sun!!

Im 38 years old and not only has it cleared up my acne but i have no wrinkles what so ever!! Everyone tells me I can pass for a 25 yr old person and not 38 NOW THATS GREAT !!! Wish I could post a pic of my before and after , ive come along way with my battle with acne :-)
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August 31, 2009

Pros:

clears existing breakouts, prevents new breakouts from forming, evens out skin tone, makes skin brighter, and makes skin less oily.

Cons:

skin peels slightly at first. can be taken care of by using a moisturing in the A.M.

I tried Retin-A a bit skeptically, expecting extreme dryness and redness. Sure, my skin was a little dry the first week, but i used Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (which is alcohol, oil, and soap free), and Purpose Lotion. This evened out the dryness and soon my skin became clear, bright, and much less shiny! I had tried both Differin and Benza-Clin before but neither worked.
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August 29, 2009

Pros:

Clears face, evens skin tone, diminishes the looks of scarring and other imperfections on my face

Cons:

Skin is a little flaky and irritated at times. I made the mistake of putting it to close to the corners of my mouth and it got really dry and painful. Now ive put lots of chapstick on and I am feeling fine. Skin is less and less dry.

I started this product because I was having acne breakouts as a side effect of my medications I am on. After first couple days of use (applied twice daily) I noticed my acne drying up quite quick, skin was dry and red but manageable. I haven't really noticed a "breakout" but I have noticed like maybe two pimples have appeared just underneath my chin...I think beause initially I was not applying the cream there. Now that I have been applying cream all over entire face, I have noticed no more breakouts. I bought a mild exfoliating pad from the makeup section in Walmart...I exfoliate my face with it once a day to remove dead skin and it works amazing. I've been on this retinol-a for about two weeks and several people have commented on how great my face is looking! just endure it for the first while...I have tried EVERYTHIN on the market for acne, even total body cleansing and RETINOL-A is the only thing that is working!! Retinol cost 25.00 but my insurance paid 80% of that. Good
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August 29, 2009

Pros:

Helps acne, fading post acne scars too.

Cons:

Makes skin blushy.

I've been using it for about 2 months, made me break out at first, but now everything is under control, my scars are fading. But my cheeks look blushy.
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August 22, 2009

Pros:

works really well! takes time for it to work, and at first your acne may get a little worse but after you are done with the tube, i have the 45gram size which lasts about 6 months, most likely your acne will be gone.

Cons:

Acne gets worse at first for some, like it did for me, and takes a while to start working, for me it was about a month.

it works very well after time
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August 21, 2009

Pros:

it works, unlike a million other products

Cons:

none

After day 2, my skin has cleared and it feels great! i dont know why for some people it took 6 weeks! i'm very happy wuth this purchase and i highlyy reccomend it to anyone with scars or spots.
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August 12, 2009

Pros:

Left my skin smoother and more even toned. Blemishes heal quickly, in 1 or 2 days as opposed to 1 or 2 weeks. Blackheads came flying out of my face during week 2. No blackheads at 6 weeks.

Cons:

At 6 weeks, I have just developed 3 large pimples- 1 on my cheek, 1 on my jaw and 1 between my eyebrows. I heard at 6 weeks you may break out more, but then it's meant to clear. Week 1 my skin was dry, at week 4 oily, now at week 6 dry again!

It works. My skin has been all over the place from dry to oily from clear to break outs in the six weeks I've been using it. Over all, my skin is so smooth, looks much less blotchy, I have zero blackheads, there is an all over rosy glow to my fair skin, and dark marks from old pimples are fading fast. I initially had mild acne in that I only had 1 or 2 pimples a month, but they were big ones. When I started to get deep cyst acne on my jaw, I saw my doctor. Since starting generic Tretinoin .1%, I have had just one pimple there. I have confidence my skin will look amazing with continued use. Finally! After years of skin issues, clear skin! Stick with it. If you skin gets irritated, use it every other day.
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August 3, 2009

Pros:

retin-a micro 0.1% really works for me!!!! i'm in my mid-20's and had moderately-severe acne, but it's all under control now. i would recommend retin-a micro instead of regular retin-a bc the micro does not irritate bc of the microspheres!

Cons:

face got slightly worse for the first few weeks (but my face was already bad, so whatevs! you really couldn't tell THAT much difference), and after just 7 weeks, my skin looked soooo much better.

on their website, it says it takes 12 weeks to see improvement, but i started to see improvements about 7 weeks -- my face was bumpy all over w/whiteheads and nodules and horrible acne, but not anymore. I'm finishing my 12th week and my acne did subside... A LOT. i had moderately severe acne with literally really pretty facial features, and everyone would kinda look at me in a weird way bc of the acne. now that my acne is under control, i do have more confidence and i feel normal again. I'm so glad i finally found something that works.. i hope everyone who reads this have the best of luck with finding a product that'll work for their skin.
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July 25, 2009

Pros:

Made my skin clean almost completly after one month.

Cons:

The first week iyou break out really bad. Makes my skin peel a little.

This is the best acne cream I have used. The first week or two are going to be hard because you break out, but after that your skin is clear. My skin peels a little with it, but I put on mostirizer in the morning.
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July 22, 2009

Pros:

acne scars, dark spots, clears and tightens pores

Ive been using this product for 5 months. Its the best product ever. My skin was horrible I starting to get wrinkles, I had lots a darks spots and also acne scarring. The first 3 months my skin looked worse than when I started I stuck to it skin looks so good it hasn't looked this good in years. Smoother, tighter, dark spots are gone and wrinkles are barely there.
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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