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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3.4
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21.8%
4
32.3%
3
21.6%
2
14.8%
1
9.4%

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July 2, 2011

Pros:

-In the beginning stages, it helps clear up acne
-Gives your skin a smooth appearance
-Only have to apply it at night
-Mostly keeps your acne under control, until you are on it too long

Cons:

-Irritation
-Hyper-pigmentation
-REDNESS
-Dryness
-Nearly burns off your skin
-Peeling
-Have to reduce your sun exposure
-After a while, it will make your skin peel and look REALLY red and irritated

My derm put me on tretinoin 0.5% to combat my acne. At first, it worked really well. After I was on it about a year, it stopped working, and made my skin red and irritated. In the begining stages of using this medication, some days are fine, and your skin looks smooth and clear. Other days, you wake up with your skin peeling off looking like you stepped out of a zombie convention. While it did help me keep my acne under control for a time, it's very hard to deal with the peeling and redness. Once, my skin was so dry and burnt from this cream, it took me nearly a week (without using it anymore) to get my skin back to normal. This topical might work for you. If you have sensitive skin, I'd be wary. If you can deal with the peeling and the dryness, it's worth a try. Even though I mixed tretinoin with some non-comodegenic moisturizer, it still didn't work to help the dryness. Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this medication, because in the long run, it just doesn't prove effective.
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June 13, 2011

Pros:

-In the long run, got rid of 50% of my most severe pimples.

Cons:

-Side effects
-Burning
-Made me even more sensitive to the sun
-Redness
-Peeling
-Expensive

This medication took a long time to make any positive on my skin. I've been useing it for 10 months and only got good results after 6 months. The side effects were horrible, and painful (both physicaly and emotionaly). After almost a year of treatment I still have acne. People would ask me if I had a sunburn, then give me advice on sunburns AND acne.
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May 8, 2011

Pros:

Lightens scars
Clears Skin
Company offers a rebate form (pay no more than $20 for prescription)

Cons:

Peeling
Dryness
Sensitivity to sunlight

I use Retin-A at night and Duac in the morning. It has really helped clear up my skin and fade scars. It does make your skin really dry, and you start to peel, but this usually goes away within a week. I got a drug rash from this stuff on my chest and back, but it cleared up quickly with hydrocortisone cream. I would recommend Retin-A, but I'm not sure how much it can do for people with deep scarring. I only have surface scars, and it clears those up really well.
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February 9, 2011

Pros:

Skin is now smooth
Wrinkles reduced very quickly

Cons:

Major breakout first week
I think not for older people

I am 58, and my dr. prescribed something new, Tretin-X cream .0375% for my wrinkles and whitehead/blackheads which I have had my whole life. First week was awful -- I had pimples and whiteheads/blackheads in places I never had before. Both cheeks were blistered and crusty and the areas around my eyes (where the wrinkles were), were severely swollen. Went back to my doctor and she said to stop it and gave me Finacea gel 15%. So far after a few days, so good. All of the blisters/swelling are almost all gone and my face is smooth and wrinkles around eyes are not bad. However, I am OFF the Tretin-X until further notice from my doctor. Hopefully, I can find some sort of balance with this medicaion. I so wanted it to work for me. Fortunately, I did not have to pay anything because my dr. gave me samples to try.
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January 19, 2011

Pros:

- It works (unlike everything else I tried).
-You only need to apply it at night before bed.
- I found it to be not as irritating as benzoyl peroxide (which didn't work for me).
-You only need a small (pea-sized) amount

Cons:

-I think it needs to be combined with an antibiotic, either oral or topical, to be effective.
-Can irritate the skin if you apply too much.
-It took me months of consistent use for me to see results, I only became completely clear when I started taking minocycline.
-Initial breakout is not great, but don't give up!

It works but only if used with an antibiotic. I tried taking antibiotics alone before I was using tretinoin and they did nothing, but I found using tretinoin 0.05% cream at night and taking minocyline in the morning to be really effective. I also wash my face morning and night with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. Minocycline, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and 0.05% tretinoin - Please try this combination, I can't recommend it enough. Good Luck!
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August 3, 2010

Pros:

Worked great for me as a teenager.
I like the idea that it might be good for wrinkles too.
No odor, easy to use.

Cons:

Problems with insurance - had to get verification from dr. I think this was to make sure it wasn't being prescribed for wrinkles.
Drying and peeling on initial use.
Maybe less effective on cystic acne.

I have used this product 3 times in my life. Each time it worked a little less effectively and I think that was due to the type of acne and the issues I was having at the time. When I was in high school this was an almost complete cure. I did have a lot of peeling and drying to start with but it was effective on my moderate acne (no cysts). As I have gotten older and my acne has transitioned to severe cystic and very much hormonally influenced, the effectiveness has dropped off. The last time I used it, almost 15 years after the first, there was no effect. So, I think this is definitely worth a try for mild to moderate acne.
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June 13, 2010

Pros:

Lighter Skin Tone
Pigmentation Fading
Clearing of white heads and blackheads
Keep Cystic Acne Away
Firmer Skin
Less Oily skin

Cons:

Dryness
Length of time it takes to work
Peeling, not severe though

I had no initial breakout. It brought all my blackheads and whiteheads up and my skin is almost clear except for maybe a few whiteheads and some pigmentation. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. At first I was scared to use it from some of the bad reviews people gave it but it's AMAZING. It takes time to work so stick with it, in the beginning it may not seem like it's working but it is! Just give it time!
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April 6, 2010

Pros:

-gets rids of pimples
-prevents pimples
-helps with scars

Cons:

-very drying, difficult to open mouth
-i use mousturizer and sunscreen every morning then apply light coverage liquid foundation on, and this allows my skin to feel not so dry

i've been using this product for 1 week and 4 days, along with benzoyl peroxide on my more severe areas, and it has saved my skin from all of its pimples. i've only gotten 1 new pimple while on this product, and that pimple disappeared within 2 days of using my treatment. i'm very happy with this, and the smooth face it has given me. it has also helped tremendously with scars. although not fully gone, it is aiding in the fading of my scars, and i'm hoping within a few more weeks i'll be completely clear. has taken me acne from moderate to light im not sure how much it cost, my dermatologist recommended it three years ago and i never gave it a chance until recently.
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February 23, 2010

Pros:

-works well after initial breakout

Cons:

-routinely makes skin flake
-makes skin a bit red and inflamed, especially if you have sensitive skin
-stops working after a few months

For me, Tretonoin worked miracles for a month or two. My skin was clearer than ever and it helped fade post acne red spots, but it eventually stopped working about four months after I started it. I even tried a stronger dose of it for a couple months, and that did not help.
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December 18, 2009

Pros:

It does work

Cons:

burns like crazy after the first couple of days because it burn through the first layer of skin. you peel like no other. mosturiing does not help. it hurts to open my mouth even

it does work. but the first weeks are rough
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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