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Side Effects
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.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
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July 25, 2012
Cons:
initial breakout
takes time
requires a lot of patience
leaves red marks/scars
I've been on retin-a for 34 days now and my face hasn't looked better! this whole year I've struggled with cystic acne and a lot of it and I was sceptical while on it, but you honestly have to stick with it and tough it out. some days I would wake up and look at myself in the mirror and hate everything I saw but after time patience and a healthy diet it was all worth it! The initial breakout period was pretty bad, and since I'm in highschool it wasn't much of an ego booster, but you have to remember that in the end you'll have clear skin. Its more of a lifestyle change since you have to change your diet, and watch the amount of bad foods and drinks you consume but I wouldn't have got the clear skin I have now! with only two blemishes on my face it really works!
July 11, 2012
Pros:
-acne heals faster
-
Cons:
-initial breakout was HORRIBLE
-doesn't help hormonal acne
-causes flaky skin(this can be fixed with moisturizer and exfoliators)
I'm 15 years old, and my acne was dreadful. I had cystic acne, whiteheads, blackheads, the whole nine yards. After a while, I figured I had suffered enough and I went to my dermatologist, who prescribed me with minocyclin(not sure if I spelled that right) twice a day orally and Retin-a Micro 0.1% gel at night. The first month somewhat sucked, just because the retin-a caused an initial breakout. The initial breakout is basically the retin-a dragging all the bacteria from deep within your skin out to the surface, causing pimples. I must say though, the initial breakout was worth it. Keep with it, and your skin should clear up. To this day, my acne still hasnt completely cleared up, and ive been using it religiously for the past 8 months. Hormonal acne is still a problem for me, but other than that my acne has improved drastically.
January 12, 2012
Pros:
Clears Acne
Smooths Skin
Easy to Use
Speads up turn over of surface skin cells
Cons:
Temporary Stinging while getting used to medication
Temporary worsening breakouts as medication works to push acne causing particles to the surface
Personally a wonderful product. After having undergone having my children my skin started to go haywire after I turned 40. Then got crazy after my hysterectomy in March of 2011! Acne on my face, back, chest and top of my arms. Not what you expect or desire at my age. As I'm on other very strong medications for a chronic condition, the dermatologist couldn't put me on Accutane type meds. He did try a bunch of other things until we got to a dead end and this was the only option. At first my skin dried out and I looked like a lizard, I broke out as it pushed the acne causing garbage to the surface and my face stung. I was also advised (and complied) that I should start out slowly. Applying the gel once every couple of days, waiting an hour and then applying a quality mosturizer. Then after a couple of weeks start applying every other day w/mosturizer after the gel has been on my face an hour. I pushed through the discomfort and acne though as I'd already been warned that I would experience these things and that given a few weeks, I would see the benefits. My doc was so right! Now after 4 months of use, my skin looks amazing. It's actually also taken a few years off my looks...yippee! I'd be crazy not to be thrilled about looking at least 7 years younger right? LOL So I'm happy to take that bonus! I suggest following a moderate application timetable for a few weeks before going to applying it every night and hopefully you'll enjoy the same results. I'm just so thankful I finally found some relief. Mine is covered, at least temporarily, by insurance. Normal cost is $300 w/out insurance. My copay is $40. That's a bargain for something that really works.
November 16, 2011
Product used: Atralin (Tretinoin (.05%) Gel)
Pros:
Clears up mild/moderate acne well.
Non-drying like other retinoids.
Keeps skin soft.
Cons:
Can cause redness, but not enough to be a big deal.
This stuff is simply amazing! I use it once a day, before bed at night. I put it all over my face. After 2 months of using it, the pores on my nose are slowly starting to disappear (you know the ones that look like sprinkled pepper). I honestly was NOT expecting that at all! (I thought I'd have those little buggers for life!). My skin feels smooth and I've had absolutely no flaking with Atralin. I recommend this to anyone who suffers from mild - moderate acne. And yes, it will get worse before it gets better. Hang in there, it's worth it! My Derm gave me a coupon so I only have a $25 copay for this RX.
October 21, 2011
Pros:
Clears skin somewhat
Unclogs pores
Cons:
Sun sensitivity
Waiting a half hour
Irritates skin
I have had acne for 5 years (I'm 16 now) and I have tried everything out there; proactive, facials, neutrogena, differin, duac, 3 different antibiotics, and even laser/light treatments. Nothing has worked so far. Including this. My skin is as follows: small bumps on my forehead, blackheads on my nose, big red blotches and post inflammitory hyperpigmentation (red marks from old pimples) on my cheeks and chin. I get about 3 whiteheads a week in different spots. Retin-A has helped me to clear up those little bumps on my forehead and slightly, slightly lessen the spots on my cheeks. Though this is difficult to tell because I have very sensitive and rosacea-y skin. The bottom line is if you have acne only from clogged pores this will be great for you, but if your problem goes deeper this may not be for you.
September 30, 2011
Pros:
gets rid of acne
apply once a day
dries quickly
Cons:
Dries out skin
I love retin-a micro! At first I found that this product dries out the skin, but my dermatologist prescribed me a cream called nutraderm with clindamycin mixed in with it to compat the drying effects. The gel application is very light, smells kinda funky but it works like a charm! highly recommend! Just stick with it and power through the initial drying effects!
July 13, 2011
Pros:
-gets rid of acne fast
-not too hard to apply
Cons:
-stopped working
-kind of expensive
-drying
-leaves pitted marks
I started using the 0.10% gel about 10 months ago. The initial breakout wasn't so bad, maybe because I didn't notice it since I had a lot of acne to begin with. I was surprised that it actually cleared up my cystic acne and my blackheads within a month. I did get a few breakouts from time to time but nothing too bad. I used it every night, without missing a use and without any change in my routine and it suddenly stopped working. I have noticed that it caused pitted acne scars but I didn't care too much as long as it's clearing my acne. But now it's not even doing that! I started to get the same type of acne on my chin like I used to get prior to using retin-a.
April 15, 2011
Pros:
makes skin glow
fades acne marks
smoother skin
evan complex
Cons:
takes months to works
skins gets worst first
i love this producct i went to the demertologist he put me on this it works u have to be patient it takes time its working deep inside your skin
December 27, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up cystic acne in a matter of days.
Helped with deeper, more painful acne.
Helped my self-esteem.
Cons:
Dry skin. (To be expected, and could be fixed with moisturizer.)
Slight facial redness.
Could only be used at night.
This works. There's not much to say, but if you haven't given this a try, try it, please. I'm so glad I got this. But for the first week or so, just expect dryness/flakiness. But it's worth it, in the long run.
December 22, 2010
Pros:
softer healthier general look of skin
reducing severe acne
reduces cystic acne quickly
less cystic acne in general
reduces amount of smaller pimples
reduces marks from acne
Cons:
dry flaky skin at times
expensive item
its a great product. ive been on retin-a micro .1% for a few years now. i started on the lower dose. the product definitely helps keep more control that before, it did not clear me up COMPLETELY tho i have tried everything BUT accutane and nothing has. i see a significant reduction in cystic acne and especially the little acne pimples. definitely reduces the post acne marks. and i think the product helped get me less oily. it controls a good amount of my acne and im happy, i wish it were clear completely, but im very satisfied with retin-a and wont EVER be without it! i used regular retin-a once, however, it gave me AWFUL breakouts and slick nasty skin, i hated it. stick with the micro for me. it is an expensive item...i purchase it from the UK its a goooood amount cheaper. its the johnson johnson brand. a tube that is 20G lasts about 2-3 months for me. insurance for me doesnt cover, however some do.
Pros:
gets rid of acne
easy to use
cheap (with insurance)