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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May 30, 2013
Didnt do anything...

Pros:

Makes skin shiny/glossy
Cheap
Helps with Hyperpigmentation

Cons:

Did not work

This product did not do anything for my skin. I guess it was like putting on lotion or something, because this made your skin shiny and a bit moisturized. My hyperpigmentation improved a little. My mom likes this product, because she says its helps get rid of hyperpigmentation and helps with wrinkles. This product did not harm nor benefit my skin. This did not work for my acne. It did not solve my problem at all
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May 17, 2013

Cons:

Dries out skin
Pricey
Irritating even in low doses and diluted

Everyone told me how amazing this product is. All it did for me was make me incredibly sensitive, and dry out my skin.
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November 21, 2012

Pros:

long term help somewhat

Cons:

took a really really long time to do anything
smells somewhat weird
feels heavy on skin

Perhaps because I have the weakest version .025%, it didn't do much for me. at all.
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November 20, 2012

Pros:

Deep acne lesions heal faster.

Cons:

Breakout in areas I didn't breakout in before
Red marks/scars

I went to the dermatologist with mild/moderate acne and was prescribed retin a micro. I was keeping under control with epiduo but was looking for a way to control it even more. I was informed that it may get worse before it gets better and have now been on it for 4 months. I have used it every night within the four month but I still have yet to see any improvement and have red marks from the retin a breakouts and scars that I have never experienced before. The initial breakout doesn't seem like it will ever stop. My skin is very tight during the day as well. I am going to continue for another month to see if my skin is just taking a while to respond.
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October 3, 2012
I used the generic cream and I have to say... do NOT use this if you have acne prone skin... use the gel. This changed the texture of my skin and made the texture of my skin a lot better but after 5 months of use, continued to break me out. That's when I found out the base of this product contains ingredients that clogs pores. This cream would be better for those who are fighting wrinkles, not acne. Plus, the cream made me peel and flake for months, not weeks.
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September 16, 2012

Pros:

I haven't been on it long enough to find any pros.

Cons:

The WORST" initial" breakout
Makes face peel
Sensitive to sun

I have been on tretinoin .5% retina a for about two months now. I have used it almost every day and also some oral medicine that my dermatologist prescribed me. As of now I hate it. I started out with pretty bad acne. Now I have extremely terrible severe acne. It really screws up your self esteem . The only reason I'm staying on the medicine is because of what others say online and say to wait for results. Absolutely in so many ways terrible as of now.
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August 30, 2012

Pros:

After about 3 months, it did clear up my skin
Skin was softer
Less wrinkles

Cons:

Horrible dryness and peeling
Breakouts come back and are terrible!
Skin gets easily used to product
Very sensitive to any light

This product was great for the first couple of months and then my skin got used to it and stopped working. When the acne came back, it came back like HELL! My back acne literally made my cry every night after my shower when I looked it; it was so bad. Idk why my derm still keeps me on this because he thinks its a miracle product, yet it stopped working for me.
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July 27, 2012

Pros:

None

Cons:

Skin got worse

For the last two months my skin was breaking out a lot. I would wake up every couple of days with a new spot. I had a prescription of retin a micro gel which I filled. I used it once - the next day I woke up with three new pimples. They were huge and painful. It has been three weeks and I am still dealing with the scarring from that one use. I'm assuming this was an initial breakout but it was so bad that I never used it again. It is not worth for me to make my skin go from bad to terrible before it gets better.
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June 29, 2012

Pros:

I have not had any

Cons:

Red skin
Peeling skin
dry yet super oily skin
Made my skin worse by ALOT

okay so im only 14 and as many of you guys have probably experienced the whole derm process, i started with epiduo, and differen. To control my mild to moderate acne. Then i went to the derm to try something else they gave me retin-A micro .04,i was very hope full that this would help alot with my acne. I read many reviews on this website, and when i read there is an initial breakout they were right mine started the second week, and it is now 2 months and 2 weeks into it and my acne is worse then ever, add 5 new pimples every 3 days then all of the marks from the past ones. My acne went from mild to severe. i just got prescribed accutane and i hope it helps me. So i would not recommend this for people that get really emotional about their acne, becasue it is seriously a horrible thing to thorugh becoming distant from all of my friends beacause i am embaressed of my face. This product may work well for some, but i just wouldnt take the risk of it completely purging your face to the point where make up cant cover. also my face is super oily now. i kept telling myself it is going to get better and maybe it will since im going to wait a month before accutane. well goodluck i know this is not anything you would want to read, but im honestly posting this to warn people who are sensitive to embaressment due to acne, because i wouldnt want anyone to go through what i am and have to do accutane to fix my face. ill repost if in a month retin-a all of the suddon helps my acne, but with the way things look i dont think so.
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June 6, 2012

Pros:

None, really.

Cons:

Did not clear up whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules.Also made my skin very sensitive and red.

I have been using Retin-A (0.1%) for a little over a year now, and have seen little to no improvement; however, I recently stopped (about 3 weeks ago) and my skin has cleared up tremendously.
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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