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
1941
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
21.8%
4
32.3%
3
21.6%
2
14.8%
1
9.4%

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April 26, 2011

Pros:

Get rid of pimples quicker than other products
Fades hyperpigmintation i think
Helps with scarring too i think

Cons:

Dries out skin
Takes for ever to work
Makes skin uneven if you dont put it all over your face.

I bought this for 10 dollars since it is covered by insurance and before it i had not much acne just lots of hyperpigmintation and hypertrophic scarring and i have been using tretinoin 0.01 for a month now and im pretty sure its working. I got an initial breakout around the 2nd week and i think it lasted for about 2 weeks and now im starting to see better results. Im not getting pimples as much and my hyperpigminatation and hyper strophic scarring is fading i think. The weird thing is that the first week i started using it my skin looked pretty good, i thought the tretinoin was working really fast but i guess it has to get worse before it gets better. My doctor told me to wait at least 6 weeks for best results but i doubt it will work that fast maybe a few more months like everyone else on here. Hopefully by the second month my scars will fade, sucks i got acne about a year ago at age 18!! Wish i got it earlier like normal people when they were young.
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February 17, 2011

Pros:

Skin is soft and clear

Cons:

Some dryness but not bad

I started with .5% but it didn't work. Then last month I switched to .1% cream and it has worked wonders. No pimples, cysts, anything! I also upped Spiro to 100mg so that might have helped too but I think the .1% tretinoin cream has made my skin look so much better. I didn't have any problems with this product except on the lower dose which was ineffective. Follow the directions on how to use it and you shouldn't have any problems!
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November 15, 2010

Pros:

Makes skin smooth
Made pores smaller

Cons:

Made face extremely red, itchy, flakey
Burned whenever I applied it
Initial Breakout never went away!

I was on this retin-a for over 9 months and it never fully cleared my acne. My initial breakout lasted about 5-6 months and I still broke out after that. It did however make my skin smoother. My skin went through cycles, it would be smooth for a week, then itchy, red, and flakey, and it would repeat. Also, my skin would become extremely dry halfway through the day and it was embarassing. Overall, I had high hopes because of the positive reviews but it didn't work for me. If your acne bugs you enough I would say try it, but your skin will never return to its original state :(
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November 8, 2010

Pros:

brightens skin
healthy look to skin
makes skin smooth

Cons:

dries skin
redness of skin

It works but it takes time. I have had very bad acne all of my life and I tried everything. I was starting to lose hope and my doctor prescribed me tretinoin and deoxycycline. It was so amazing. My skin got really clear. It took time like 3-5 months but it is very clear now. I cannot remember the last time I had clear skin. My acne was very very bad and those two medicines worked wonders!
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March 14, 2010

Pros:

* It worked for me the first night I tried it
*My acne is gone and my scars going away
*It got rid of my redness due to sun damage

Cons:

*My skin is a little flakey around my eyes
*It may not be perfectly safe if you get preggos

I've tried many different acne systems since High School and this is the best medication. I finally feel confident to look strangers in the eye and smile. I love it!
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

It really works and I have tried quite a few products. ProActive being one of the many and it sucked.

Cons:

My acne def got worse before it got better

Retin-A is wonderful, I am 24/F never had acne in my life until about four months ago. I used ProActive and saw no results what so ever!!!! I began using the Retin-A around three weeks ago and I have seen huge improvement!!!!!!!!!!
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November 25, 2009

Pros:

really and truely clears up the skin on face, chest and back! reduces scars, smooths skin out and has make my sun damage forehead wrinkles disappear!!! magic!

Cons:

drying, can sting; especially in cracks near nose and on spots / broken skin, makes me redder than usual!!!

I think the bottom line here is no pain no gain. All acne treatments work by drying the skin, so this is unavoidable, though this topical did dry my skin more than the many others I have tried. If I dare to go a night without using, I sometime wake up with a spot, so I have to be comitted. Drying and can be painful but incredibly affective, I found it better than a course of Roaccutane I tried years ago, with far less severe side affects. Try it
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July 28, 2008

Pros:

I've been using it for 14 years--since I was 40. I'm now 54 and people usually guess my age at somewhere between 35 and 40. I've had no adverse reactions at all. My skin looks better than it did when I was 30. I'll use it for the rest of my life

Cons:

None that I've experienced.

Try it!
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January 21, 2007

Pros:

I can't recall any

Cons:

Made my acne sooo much worse... yet not better

I had moderate acne and my derm put me on Retin-A. She warned me that my acne would get worse, and then better. So, I used Retin-A every night for a month, and I saw nothing. FINALLY after a month, my acne started to get worse, so I was excited that it would get better soon. Every morning I would wake up and my acne would be worse and worse: redness, huge zits forming, soo flaky, and embarassing. The problem? My acne never got better after it got worse! I went back to my derm and she said my acne got so bad she would consider Accutane. I DO NOT RECCOMEND RETIN-A.
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May 25, 2017
Stick with it!
My doctor prescribed me birth control and tretinoin .025% around 2.5 months ago. I have been using tretinoin every night pretty consistently besides skipping a night here and there to not let my skin get too "used to it". I was pretty much traveling overseas all of last month, and my I tried my very best to stick to the same regimen. Fortunately, my skin did not freak out! I was in humid and warmer locations-- which definitely benefited my skin along with the tretinoin. While abroad, my acne cleared up and my face was SPOTLESS. I went from having severe cystic acne along my jawline and a few on my cheeks to having nothing! The only thing that's left are hyperpigmentation. Since I've been back (3 weeks) in the states, the transition has impacted my skin a little. I've been getting a few cysts on the lower part of my face, but they don't last too long. I think my body is slowly adjusting to the climate, food, and schedule overall. I am praying it gets back to as clear as it was abroad. My mom has been complimenting my skin every day saying it doesn't look as red or bumpy anymore. I can also see how flat my cheeks are compared to how it was before the medication. I can't tell if it's birth control, tretinoin, or the combination of both working. Either way, it's a positive outcome! Two months on it, and I'm seeing improvement. The number one thing I've been working on is to keep my schedule as consistent as possible. Sometimes sleeping later than usual will mess up my skin. I can't wait to see the results in two more months! I heard it takes atleast four months to see full results.
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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