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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February 6, 2009

Pros:

controlled acne a bit

Cons:

initial breakout, hardly saw any results. tube annoyed me.

i guess it works for some people, or maybe i didn't use it long enough. but i saw no results, and was young, so i quit.
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February 5, 2009

Pros:

Works on blemishes. Redueces white head and decreases breakouts.

Cons:

Itchy, red, flaky skin in the first 2 weeks.

I used Reitin- A 0.025 and Doxycycline twice a day for the first two weeks after a horrible breakout. It did work for me. The first two weeks my skin became very dry. So I started using it every other day. Now I am using it everyday and wear moisturiser on top of it. I am pleased with the results. In the past I have used several OTC such as Murad and Pro-active but Retin-A is the only one cream that has helped prevent my breakouts. I have been on it for about more than 8 weeks. I dont even break out during my time of the month anymore.
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January 30, 2009

Pros:

Smoother skin. Clearing up. Hoping to see more significant improvements with prolonged use

Cons:

Flakey skin but not too bad.
Healing spots appear to be redder for longer

After years of suffering with spots and volunteering to go on the coil to prevent pregnancy, i finally got prescribed Retin-A. I've been hoping for this for years. I've only been on this cream for just over 2 weeks and on first using it my skin was pretty bad but now it's starting to show some improvement. I always had blackheads on my chin and these have already cleared. I'm still getting the odd new pimple but nothing like what i was experiencing a few weeks ago. I've read alot of reviews of people complaining about how bad their skin went in the first week or so, and mine did look worse for a few days. The cream is quite drying as well and you do peel a bit, but this isn't anything that moisturiser wont help with. I think the Retin-A is starting to pay off now so i'm going to stick with it. I think it's best to give a new product 2-3 months before giving up and even after 2 weeks things seem to be looking up. 2 months and i might just be clear!
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

cleared my acne within a week

Cons:

face was peeling and dry despite measures of putting moisturizer

it's the best thing I've used since none of the over the counter products worked. I even tried Pro-Activ, but that made my skin worse. Now, I can touch my face and be proud that it's smooth like a baby's butt and blemishes are going away. I have one or two pimples, but it's not noticeable. I'm so glad my friend introduce me to this stuff!
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January 22, 2009

Pros:

Personally, didn't notice any dryness or peeling. The cream also seemed to make my scars fade quicker than usual.

Cons:

Results were short lived.

Started using this cream in october of 2007, twice a day. Almost immediately, I started breaking out worse than ever before (this lasted about 3-4 weeks). After those weeks of the horrible breakouts, I finally started noticing that my breakouts were a lot milder and would go away quicker than before. Eventually, I started using a 10% Benzoyl Peroxide face wash in conjunction with the tretinoin, and by March of 2008, my skin was absolutely clear. That, however, was short lived. By June of 2008, my skin was horrible once again, and this is when I decided to stop using the product. There was only a very short-lived few moments of happiness while on this product.
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January 22, 2009

Pros:

When an acne appears, it goes away within a couple of days. The areas of my skin that are acne free are soft, smooth, and flawless.

Cons:

The initial breakout is near unbearable mentally. Red, itchy, flaky skin is very prevalent.

I am going on 3 weeks with tretinoin .005%. Although I'm embarrassed to leave my house because I am completely insecure of my huge breakouts, I'm going to stick with it until it in hopes it gets better. At this point I don't want to go through another initial breakout on a different product. I'm also on tetracycline 500mg 2x a day, and desquam 5% wash 2x a day, and birth control. I will keep you updated on my results. IN addition to the prescription meds, I am doing a colon and liver cleanse. I just pray that I see improvements relatively soon.
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January 6, 2009

Pros:

Zits go a way much quicker, blackheads are gone, nice glow to skin, actually cleared my face for new years eve no bumps! But then started breakin out in 3rd week again as mentioned on website.

Cons:

Peeling, and really red skin, but only around my mouth and chin, why? I think because that's where I break out most, and also use Duac during the day. The rest of my face is fine and clear

I'm in the beginning of my 3rd week. Let me tell you a little about my acne so you can judge if this review will be helpful to you. I am 23/f my acne started really bad after getting off birth control which kept my face clear during my teen years. Now I'm back on but it, & either it's taking forever to start working or isn't going to help. So I use Retin A Micro at night and Duac during the day, also take Nicotinamide ZCF pill. 1st week I went from my usuall 7-8 zits, btw these are large red inflamed zits, sometimes cysts, to like 13! I freaked out but by week 2 my face was flat with the red marks which at least when I wear foundation look like I'm clear. Wearing foundation proved to be difficult cuz of the peeling. I had to switch moisturizer from Aveena Ultra Calming to CeraVe lotion which is great! 3rd week, my skin broke out again but not worse than before about 7 zits, and they are going a way quicker than they would w/out RAM n Duac, I will update post after 7 weeks of use
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January 3, 2009

Pros:

Fades scars and takes care of the BIG red volcanoe-like pimples that seem to NEVER erupt.

Cons:

It creates a plastic like layer on my skin and sometimes when I wake up I have peels on my face...like I put on one of those clear face masks that tighten and you peel it off?

It works amazingly well at reducing the huge pimples that hurt! I'd put it on when I felt like a pimple was coming and either it never came or it'd be a small one. It seemed to make my skin worse for the first month but now my skin is completely clear but I don't give Tretinoin full credit though....the semester just finished and my stress decreased drastically which could account for the clear skin!
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December 30, 2008

Pros:

Easy, works.

Cons:

Expensive, causes dryness

Used with Benzaclin and Sulfameth - 100% clear acne in a couple of months.
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December 29, 2008

Pros:

it works
easy to apply

Cons:

redness
dry, peeling skin

I've been using it on my chin and nose for about a month and I have had only three new pimples on my chin and they were very small. Although my skin became very dry it was nothing cetaphil face lotion couldn't handle. it is also doing an amazing job at fading red spots. i think its worth a chance to see if its for you but give it time. I use it every night too which might be why my skin got red and dry like it did. good luck
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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