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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July 28, 2014
tretinoin 0.05%
I have been on this stuff for two weeks and my skin has gotten which is to be expected but I was wondering if anyone recommends the 1% instead of the 0.05 % to speed things along if not how long should I wait to see real results with the 0.05%. it has made my skin overall smoother but it has also made my skin oily
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November 2, 2013
Have Patience

Pros:

Gets rid of blackheads
Less inflammation
Isn't a hassle to put on

Cons:

Makes skin dry
Irritation can occur
Takes a while to see results maybe up to more than 3 months

I'm 15 years old and having to go through really bad break outs isn't the best. Last year in my freshman year of high school I decided to ask my doctor what I could use to get rid of the acne on my fore head. He gave me a prescription for Tretinoin Gel 0.01%. This product did help me a lot. I saw results in a month so it does take time for it to work. But since I only got three small tubes (what I call it) I ran out and sadly my acne came back! As time went by I never thought of asking my doctor for the same prescription. Just a week ago I went in to talk to my doctor again because let me tell you my acne has gotten worse than it has been before. Not only do I have acne on my fore head but also all over my cheeks which is really gross to look at! Yes that's how bad it is. My doctor prescribed to me again Tretinoin Gel 0.01% and on top of that 2 other medications to take in the day. I'm really hoping to see better results in about a month & it is uncomfortable at times but you have to be very patient.
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August 3, 2013
Tretinoin .025 Gel: 1 Week Review

Pros:

Not sure yet....we'll see if it clears me up!

Cons:

Dries out skin
Makes skin SUPER sensitive
Get ready to switch your cleansers/moisturizers to super sensitive brands!

I've been using Tretinoin .025 Gel for about a week now. I apply it every other night for my little pink/skin colored bumps on forehead/T-zone. So far, it's dried my skin out and made it pink :( my breakouts seem to have worsened a bit but nothing crazy. I have read that there is an initial breakout but since I have VERY mild acne to begin with I can deal! BE WARNED: this product makes your skin SUPER sensitive since it sloughs away layers of your face like crazy. I've had to stop using my PanOxyl Cream Wash, because although it normally works for me, the Tretinoin makes my skin far too sensitive for the PanOxyl. I've switched to Cetaphil wash, Hibiclens wash and CeraVe moisturizer.
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July 20, 2013
Unsure

Pros:

works

Cons:

breakouts
dry skin
lengthy

I have only been using this product for a couple weeks but it is merciless when it comes to surfacing all those zits lingering in your pores. I don't think it is causing any new acne, it is just bringing out what I would get in the future because I am breaking out around my chin and jaw which is where I would normally break out but my cheeks and forehead are still clear. Most of the reviews I have read were positive and reassuring, however most of the authors have been using it for over a year. If you think you are strong enough to handle the monstrous breakouts coupled with dry skin and peeling for months at a time, then this product for you. But if you're like me -- impatient and eager for instant results, I do not recommend you board this train ride.
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June 18, 2013
no big difference

Pros:

Reduces very oily skin to a nice glow
Fades acne marks
Pimples that form go away faster while using it

Cons:

Makes you very sensitive to the sun
Easily irritates your skin if you use too much, or apply it to skin that's not properly dried

I had an initial breakout with this that lasted a few months, it was awful. Afterwards my acne returned to how it was before as if I wasn't using anything on my skin at all. My skin was really soft to the touch after the initial breakout, the old marks I had were faded a bit and overall my skin was less oily... BUT I was still breaking out regularly. My skin was also really tender, it always felt like I had a really hard scrub and I barely had skin left. I burned very quickly the one time I spent some time in the sun with no sunscreen. I kept using it because my doctor told me it would take some time to kick in but it didn't after almost a year my acne was just as severe as it was before I started, I was just less oily. The fact that it faded marks didn't matter in the end because I had so many new ones that formed while I was using it. I only recommend because I've seen it work on someone with mild acne, so maybe it's good if the acne is mild.
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June 9, 2013
Okay...

Pros:

Helps a little
Usually speeds up the process of pimple elimination

Cons:

Can cause acne if used on spots without pimples.

It does help a little bit. I'm currently on it. I've used it for over a year actually... It's good but you need to use it on the actual pimple itself. If you spread it around to other parts of your face, you will break out.
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April 9, 2013

Pros:

It cleared up my acne after 2 1/2 months.

Cons:

It made my skin extremely oily. My skin was actually less oily before the Retin A

It would have been perfect if I wasn't so oily. I have used it for over 4 months and it is still as oily as ever.
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February 14, 2013

Pros:

too early to tell

Cons:

I'm starting to break out bad ...I'm in the third week

I'm on tretinoin cream 0.025% and clindamycin pledgets ...I'm on my third week of using them and I'm starting to break out bad....I've been crying about it and I just want to give up already because I've suffered with acne for a little less than 10 years. I'm 22 and my acne has gotten worse when I started going to college. I just graduated and I still have acne and lots of scars. I'm going to stick with it because I've been through hell and back with my acne so one more trip won't kill me!
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November 11, 2012

Pros:

It will have great results in the long run
Rids of blackheads completely!

Cons:

Initial breakout is HORRIBLE
Hyper-pigmentation
Patience is a virtue

I am on week 5 of tretinoin .05% cream. I was also prescribed Finacea cream and an antibiotic. I do not recommend any of these products (that is how I feel so far). My dermatologist did NOT warn me of the initial breakout of the tretinoin and I am LIVID. I have horrible skin now. I was on Epiduo for years before this and had a few break outs a month and just wanted to try something new to be 100% clear. BOY do I wish I could take it back and have those few break outs a month... I was being picky. NOW my skin has severe hyperpigmentation, I have at LEAST 2 new pimples a day on my cheeks, and I am breaking out on my forehead now which I never did before... On the small bright side, if I do not pick at any pimples (the picking is my fault, I get that) I see mall improvements in the lightening of the discoloration. At week 2 I was getting several cystic zits at once which I never had before either, but now at week 5 that has subsided (thanks goodness). So yes, at 5 weeks there are small changes, but if I could go back in time I would not have tried this, it is ruining my self confidence. I cry about it a lot and I avoid going out. And I just turned 21! I should be going out and feeling great! I will continue to use tretinoin (and switch out Finacea cream with Epiduo on my follow up visit in a month) until the end of the year, and see how it looks. If it has the "amazing" results I hear about, I will be sure to follow up with you guys here and tell you if would recommend it then... But for now, I am headed to Sephora to buy hundreds of dollars of fancy makeup to cover up this mess on my face I never had before. Good luck to those in their first weeks with this devil cream.
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November 8, 2012

Pros:

Scars are slowly fading.
Patience is required

Cons:

Initial breakout was really bad.
Still breaking out

I started my treatment in August and its been three months. Scars are slowly fading and skin around the mouth along with my nose peels the most. On 0.05% the generic form. My skin is getting smoother and feels like a baby. I can't wait until I am finished to see the amazing results. Warning: Initial breakout is really bad i had at least 5 new pimples every day with the head coming out it was horrible but I kept on. You know what they say when the going get rough keep going.
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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